It may have been well over a year since we were forced inside our homes, but many of us are still adapting to this new normal.
How we work has fundamentally changed. Even as the UK emerges from lockdown, it looks as though most of us will be working from home more often that we used to, and for some of us all the time.
But when our homes become our offices too, it can be hard to prioritise our essential self-care.
From making mistakes with our work-from-home setup, accidents and getting enough sleep, we have looked at how you can make time for self-care as you continue to work from home.
Self-care pitfalls when working from home
When our homes become our offices, it can inhibit us from focussing on the critical self-care we need to get through these troubling times.
Not getting enough sleep or exercising to little are common pitfalls. Lesser know problems occur when we are not set up properly to work from home.
Making self-care a priority
To get the most from self-care we have to prioritise it. Carving out the time on the day to dedicate to our well-being is a vital part of it.
It might even help you to develop a self-care schedule to keep you on track with your needs when doing self-care.
Having the right work-from-home set up
No-win-no-fee personal injury firm, National Accident Helpline recently conducted a study about the effects of working form home.
It found that employees were injuring themselves while working at home by not having the correct set up. 20% were working from their bedrooms, leaving little space to relax and focus on self-care.
Cultivating self-care rituals at home
Self-care routines and rituals can help us to clearly demarcate our days. Having an indulgent self-care routine for a Friday evening for example can help to signal the end of the week. Ushering in a relaxing weekend.
Whatever your ritual may include, ensure you repeat it on a consistent basis.
Exercising is self-care in motion
Some of us find it much more3 difficult to exercise when we are at home. Yet exercising is a vital part of self-care. It can boost your mood and help your body sleep better.
Think of exercise as less of a weight-loss chore and more of a tool for self-care.
Self-care involves getting enough sleep
Sleep is vital for our bodies. Some studies are showing that getting enough sleep throughout our lives can reduce our risk of dementia later on in life.
We are all aware that eight hours is the benchmark for a decent night’s sleep. Self-care involves getting this critical and quality sleep.