[ Photo by Freepik.com] Here are 5 powerful reasons to give someone a squeeze today Hugging is very comforting. In addition, there is no substitution for that warm feeling of holding someone in your arms (or being held). The coronavirus pandemic evidenced it well when hugs were probably at the top of the list of things you missed the most. The isolation and lack of human connection made quarantining very difficult. We hug when we’re excited, happy, sad, or seeking comfort. Hugging makes us feel good. And it turns out that it makes us healthier too. There’s strong evidence that giving your loved ones an affectionate squeeze can actually be good for your health. So check out 5 health benefits of hugs! Hugs boost your immune system Hugs can make you feel good – and stronger too. Hugging can boost levels of natural killer cells, lymphocytes, immunoglobulins, and other immune-boosting cells. Touching and hugging can also affect our body’s immune response through hormone regulation, includi
Working from home? Tips to manage your day – and your anxiety!
If your office is also your home, check these six tips to manage your day and your anxiety.
Working from home seems like paradise for many people. After all, you can have more time for your kids, stay closer to your pets, take a break when you feel overloaded, besides having a better balance between professional and personal life, less commute stress, and more money savings. Plus the incredible bonus of customizing your schedule! Working from home can be wonderful. But like everything in life, it also has its downside.
Many people had to learn how to work from home during the coronavirus pandemic. Then, the promise of the wonderful scenario met the harsh reality: work piling up, endless video calls, overloaded Wi-Fi, demanding children, noisy neighbors… and the difficulty to “switch off” – after all, if you’re working at home, it means that you “never leave the office”. All these things impact your productivity and your time management – and your anxiety.
So, whether you started working from home during the coronavirus pandemic or you had been working remotely for some time, here are some tips for managing your day – and your anxiety!
Routine
A flexible schedule is one of the best parts when working remotely. But it’s where you should be more careful too. It’s too easy to overwork and get stressed. Or to get distracted and let the work pile up on your desk. So creating a routine is vital. When you organize your tasks and plan your goals, you mentally prepare yourself and make it easier to achieve the objectives you set out.
Get ready
When you work in an office, the daily routine of getting ready and commuting helps your brain prepare for the day. When you’re working remotely, you can do the same by creating triggers that get your head ready for work in a similar way. So, when you work from home, avoid waking up at the last minute, eating in front of the computer, and spending the day in your pajamas. Start your morning as a regular working day as much as possible. It includes getting dressed (clothes have a strong psychological impact on motivation). You don’t need to wear formal clothes: you can be comfortable, but try to wear something that signals to your brain that it’s time to work.
Breaks
The schedule flexibility is very appealing, and the beauty of it is that you can customize it the way you prefer. However, it is essential to set limits, or you will easily end up working 24/7 and having a burnout. So create a schedule that fits your routine, and remember to include regular breaks. Not taking frequent breaks makes you feel drained and causes muscle and joint problems and even repetitive strain injuries. On the other hand, pausing throughout the day boosts energy, improves focus, and increases motivation and effectiveness.
Get up and move
Most remote jobs are on a computer, which means sitting in front of a screen practically all day. So it is crucial to get up and move – both for your physical and mental health. Walk your dogs, ride a bike, stretch, do yoga, dance. Exercising 20 to 30 minutes a day boost endorphins and serotonin to flood your brain with joy, which can lower anxiety levels. If you can, take it outside. Exposure to light and fresh air is one of the most positive things you can do for your well-being. Getting outdoors when you work from home does wonders for your motivation levels – even just a quick walk around the block will do the trick.
Create an office at your home
It’s nice to work from home, but it’s essential to separate your professional and personal life – especially when they are so close. Thus, try to create a dedicated office space. Besides being safer, it will allow you to do your work in private, and it’s going to make it easier when you decide it’s time to log off. However, not everyone has a separate office in their home; so, dedicate a desk and some peripherals only for work use. This way, you’re telling your brain when you’re working and when you’re not.
Log off
When you work from home, you can’t just “leave” at the end of the day. So it’s very hard to stop – and very tempting to stay just “five more minutes” to finish this project or reply to that email. When you realize you’re overworking. Learning to stop working is a discipline that creates good habits, and it’s necessary to keep up your energy and mental health. A good tip is to create a to-do list (a doable to-do list!). Structure your day based on this list, and when you’re finished, close your computer. Mission accomplished!
by Chris Bueno
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