Self-care has always been important, but discussions about it have risen in the past few months — and it’s time you get in the loop. Most of us had to adjust to a remote work setup since the COVID-19 restrictions were implemented. Though this setup helps keep many of us safe from the virus, it has caused negative effects on the well-being of workers. In fact, 69% of employees have reported that they experienced burnout symptoms since they started working from home.
The remote work setup can definitely be difficult, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic when we’re forced to isolate ourselves from everyone. Since workers have no choice but to stay at home, the boundaries between their home life and work life have become blurry. A lot of individuals cannot identify their home as a place of relaxation anymore. Instead, they have associated it as a workplace where they have to be on work mode non-stop. Furthermore, workers cannot even relax by going on a vacation because of the restrictions.
Alarmingly, stress and burnout can have a huge impact on one’s work and personal life. These can decrease productivity and cause high absenteeism. When it comes to one’s physical and mental health, however, burnout can cause even more alarming effects. Burnout may cause physical conditions, like high blood pressure and heart diseases. It can also lead to serious mental conditions, such as anxiety and depression.
All these alarming consequences can be prevented if you dedicate time and effort to take care of yourself. You must be equally dedicated to your career and your personal well-being to be able to achieve success as a remote worker. Finding the right balance in your life can help you improve your health as well as your career all from the comforts of your own home! And thankfully, doing so is quite possible. Take care of yourself by practicing the following tips.
Do activities that can bring joy
You can practice self-care by making time for activities that boost your mood. For instance, meditation is an activity that has been proven to decrease stress. You can do this for free by listening to guided meditations on apps or on YouTube. Exercise is another great activity that will improve both your mood and your physical health. However, self-care can also be as simple as watching your favorite TV show or dancing to some good music.
Improve your work space
It’s best to delegate a certain area in your home as your work space. This will set clear physical boundaries between your work and your personal life. Try to choose a location that is far from your TV or your bed so that you won’t be easily distracted. Furthermore, it’s important to invest in things that can make your working from home experience much more comfortable for your body. A good chair can provide support for your back so you won’t experience any back pain from sitting all day long. Meanwhile, ergonomic accessories can also provide further support to your joints and help you avoid common hazards like carpal tunnel syndrome. You can also bring in a pop of color and a bit more life into your work space by adding indoor plants, such as rubber trees and snake plants.
Find ways to socialize
It's easy to feel isolated when we've had to hunker down at home, which is why it’s important to reach out to your family, friends, and co-workers virtually. Make work meetings more fun by playing a few short games after your discussions. Bond with your family by video chatting more often. Furthermore, you can even interact with your friends and family online by playing video games, which can provide social, emotional, and cognitive benefits. There are also a lot of apps that can allow you and your friends to stream a movie together, like Teleparty. Self-care is a great practice that will remind you of the importance of your health and well-being. Make self-care a priority, so you can experience benefits in every aspect of your life.