While working from home is a dream job for many, it can be quite hectic. The laptop at your bedroom side table entices you during sleep hours, and you may not get to enjoy the separate nature of work and life. It’s almost like a paradox; work from home offers flexibility in the context of time but can also be rigid when it comes to exposures and new experiences.
There are, of course, particular stressors associated with working from home, such as internet issues, communication breakdowns, and balancing work and personal life. Taking necessary breaks and ensuring that you destress is important for your well-being and make you more efficient the next day.
The Advantages of Relaxation
Relaxation methods have long been used to treat various ailments, from anxiety to labor pain. There is more and more research showing how effective these relaxation methods are in enhancing long-term health. However, certain relaxing advantages may be noticed nearly immediately, such as:
- Reducing the rate of respiration, heart rate, and blood pressure
- Reduced chronic pain, muscular tension, and tiredness
- Improving sleep quality while also decreasing rage and irritation
- Increasing confidence in dealing with challenges
- Enhanced attention and mood
- Stress hormone activity is reduced
Ways to Relax
Working from home is not as pleasurable as our comfy clothes suggest. Here are some techniques to relax and destress after a long day at work.
Exercise
Exercise, often regarded as one of the finest things to do for mental health and wellness, does not have to include going to the gym (although the gym is good too). Online yoga courses or guided home exercises are excellent ways to stay active. If you have a difficult time getting started, consider starting a routine that you KNOW that you can do. Examples can include: taking a 5–10-minute walk, doing 10 pushups or sit-ups per day, and/or stretching for 5-10 minutes each day. If you alternate each day between these examples, you can avoid getting bored with one thing.
Music to Lift Your Spirit
Change the tone of your surroundings to reduce stress. What is the simplest approach to modifying your mood? Put on some music. Playing background music while working allows you to enjoy your time rather than simply getting through it unless it interferes with your concentration and acts as a distraction.
Set Deadlines For Yourself
An important issue with working from home is no time limit. It’s simple to work beyond standard hours and continue working into the evening. Working all hours of the day and night creates no work-life balance, leisure, or opportunity to destress. Whatever else is going on, set a closing time for your workday, and then make sure you’re finishing up and getting ready to quit working when the time comes.
Take Care Of Yourself
Although you may find it difficult to visit a fully equipped spa, you can make the most of what they have at home by running a hot steaming bath, adding essential oils such as lavender, and relaxing. Allow the steam to wash away your weariness and revitalize you.
Unwind Away From Home
You spent the whole day at home; a change of environment might do wonders for your anxious mind. Getting out of the house to go outside is a terrific way to unwind. Go for a stroll or a run when the weather is nice, or spend time gardening on a gloomy day (or a nice day). Make spending time outside a priority since it offers several health advantages by improving your mood and lessening stress.
Breathe
One of our initial responses is to breathe more shallowly when we are stressed. This causes us to feel stressed and reduces the oxygen flow to our bodies. Breathing methods are a simple and efficient strategy to calm our nervous system. Allow one to three minutes for deep, steady breathing. Concentrate on breathing in for five counts and out for five counts. Utilize some essential oils (like lavender) and put a few drops on your palm, massage your hands, and take a few deep breaths. Be sure to not put essential oil in your mouth unless you have been directed to do so by a doctor.
Conclusion
Working remotely has some amazing benefits and advantages. The nature of working remotely can also produce a perfect storm of mental health difficulties. While we can’t prevent stress, the simple tactics offered here should help you deal with any issues.
If you live in California and are looking for a therapist to work on anxiety, please give us a call at Long Beach Therapy: 562-310-9741.