Many aspects of life look different during the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. The shift from working in an office to working at home can be overwhelming, especially after the break of the holiday season. One way to reduce the stress and feelings of isolation that come with working from home is to implement a structured morning routine.
Here are six steps you can take during the first hour of your day to manage working from home.
Limit phone use first thing in the morning. A morning routine full of bright screens, updates, and work demands doesn’t allow any time to ease into the day.
Drink a full glass of water. Drinking water before your morning coffee can combat a foggy memory, irritability and fatigue throughout the day. If this seems like a difficult task you can place a glass of water next to your bed to drink once you wake up.
Journaling in a quiet space. Journaling allows time to connect with yourself. This action can reduce anxiety and the feeling of overwhelm. Spending 15 minutes in a quiet space can allow for time to clear your mind before the work day.
Identify your top priorities. Before you get settled into your work day it is important to outline your work hours and determine the tasks you need to accomplish.
Practice gratitude. Gratitude has been shown to reduce your general well-being and increase your resilience. This can be practiced by writing down three things you are grateful for every morning. This will allow yourself to reflect on opportunities to be grateful for and place you in a good mindset before tackling the day.
Move Around. According to the British Journal of Sports Medicine, morning exercise has been shown to improve attention, visual learning, and decision making. At home workout options include: Nike+ Training Club, Yoga Studio, Insight Timer App, and YouTube. The elimination of the morning commute time frees you to have more time to do a more enjoyable task.
Routines can offer a realistic way to promote health and wellness through the structure and organization it provides. Routines can be personalized for your individual lifestyle and needs. They don’t need to be boring. They can provide lower stress levels, better sleep, better health and can set a good example for the people in your household. Picking up some or all of these steps can allow for an efficient and healthier workday.