How to Work From Home and Hang on to a Schedule
By Sandy Schroeder
Is your day starting early and ending late as you mix work, kids and home tasks? You may seriously need to take a break to make time for yourself.
WellAndGood.com took a look at the problem and came up with some easy way to relax without guilt. If you worked at home before the coronavirus, you know how easily the day can stretch from breakfast through dinner with scarcely a break. Through it all, little guilt birds perch on your shoulder. You need to clean the house, deal with your kids and stay up with work. Meanwhile, you would love to take a long soak in the tub.
Leave Time to Breathe
It will all get done, but you really need to allow yourself time to catch your breath and protect your mental health. Psychologists tell us COVID-19 has inflated our levels of anxiety and stress and is challenging our ability to stay calm. Maintaining flexibility in your routine will keep you effective. Here are some tips on taking breaks.
Actually schedule breaks - Pinpoint times for work, meals, exercise and bedtime and build in short 10- to 15-minute breaks to sit and meditate, do a few stretches, or pause to listen to your own breath to collect yourself.
Move from one spot to another - Set up a work desk in a quiet corner, reserve a space on the patio to sit and read with your kids, and reserve the couch for enjoying old movies together. Move the furniture around to make each spot work and tailor spots for each family member to give them a little breathing room from each other.
Create some boundaries - Teach kids respect for their time and yours with signs, like "Mom Working," "Teddy Practicing Flute," or "Dad Working." Set a special quiet time before bedtime to help everyone wind down, get baths and read stories. Take turns with others in the family to cook, watch the kids, and do cleanups.
Use little breaks to inspire work - Once you are settled in for a work session, remember to get up and stretch, add some low key background music, or enjoy fruit, nuts, and tea snacks. If it works for you, step outside for a short walk or do a short yoga mat session.
Be sure to define week days and weekends - If you and your family are home most of the time, one day can be almost identical to the next unless you make them special. You may not be going out, but Saturday mornings can still be time to sleep a little late and have pancakes, and Friday evenings can still be movie night with pizza and popcorn. Tailor the times to your family's preferences and enjoy.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Universal City, Tex.