4 Ways to Switch Off When Working from Home
AD| Over the last year the pandemic has seen the majority of workers across the world begin working from home, turning kitchens, bedrooms and living rooms into office spaces. This new way of working has led to many organisations adopting a hybrid working approach, or completely shutting down their offices. With working from home definitely here to stay, it is important to make sure you switch off after the working day to ensure your mental and physical health is not affected.
Here’s 4 ways to switch off when working from home, allowing you to make the most of your home life; from exercising to socialising, there’s plenty of ways to unwind.
1.Get active
Once the working day is over, unwind by getting active. Whether you hate the thought of working out, or simply can’t find the motivation, push yourself and find the time to unwind after working. Exercising can be very beneficial if you work from home, as it gets your body moving after being stuck at a desk all day. It also increases your endorphin levels, resulting in a positive effect on your mental health.
If you’re looking for some inspiration on how to get started, you'll find plenty of workout videos available on fitness apps and YouTube. Alternatively, get a gym membership which will give you the opportunity to get out the house and socialise, providing more benefits in regards to your mental and physical health.
2.Enjoy the outdoors
After a long day you may be tempted to settle down on the sofa and watch Netflix for the evening, but you’ll feel much better by going on a walk to enjoy the outdoors and taking a break from your screen. One of the key benefits of working from home is the lack of commuting, so as soon as you finish work, put on your walking socks and grab your boots to step outside for a lovely walk with your loved ones and take advantage of the fresh air. Alternatively, take a stroll at lunch time to give yourself a break in the middle of the day or in the morning before work to wake up and refresh your mind for the day. Challenge yourself by using a step counter on your phone or smart watch to push yourself even further.
3.Create a workspace
It can be difficult to switch off when you work from home, especially if your desk is located in a room where you spend most of your free time whilst you’re at home. It’s highly recommended that you set up a home workspace away from your bedroom and living room so you have a healthy balance between work, sleep and play. You should also set up a sustainable working environment by treating yourself to a comfortable chair and spacious desk which is suitable for your needs.
4.Be sociable
If you spend the whole week working from home, it’s important to socialise as you’re missing out on the social interactions of office life (apart from the occasional video chat!) Ensure you plan activities to look forward to each weekend, no matter how big or small they are, so you’re spending time with other people. Planning activities of an evening can also give you something to look forward to at the end of the working day and help take your mind away from work.
If you're looking for evening activities, try going to the gym or an exercise class, video chatting friends or family and going out for dinner. During the weekend you could go out for a meal and drinks, take a trip to the cinema or do something different and host a garden party to enjoy the sunshine with your friends and family.
Start following these tips today to help plan your life so you can switch off and relax outside of your working hours and make the most of your evenings and weekends.
How do you switch off if you are currently working from home? Do you have any favourite hobbies or activities?
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