How to maintain a healthy balance while working from home.
The world has experienced a lot of unknowns lately. We’ve had to change the way we go about even the minutest of details in our daily lives. For the majority of people, we spend about one-third of our waking hours at the office, so this means opening up to a brand new world of remote work.
Over the last few months, a lot of ESL teachers (both old and new) have made the transition to working completely online. For some, it means no more early morning traffic and wearing pajama pants to class (don’t worry the camera is from the shoulders up). For others, the change in environment can be a little more challenging and require some adjustment in routine. That’s why we’ve decided to give you a little advice to help you maintain a healthy balance while you work from home.
1. Routine.
Let’s face it, no one likes being told when to go to bed. But, when you’re working from home, it’s much easier to lose track of time and get distracted into the late hours of the night. “I’ll do it after lunch” turns into; “I’ll do it after dinner” then becomes; “I’ll do it tomorrow”. We are creatures of habit, so our body clock needs to maintain a regular sleep-wake cycle and circadian rhythm for our brain and body to function at its best. That’s why creating and sticking to a schedule will help you make the most of your day and avoid procrastination – keeping you at peak levels of productivity. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/articles/what-circadian-rhythm
2. Sunlight.
Like most of us, you’re probably cooped up inside, and with cloudier weather on it’s way, it’s becoming harder to get our required daily levels of Vitamin D. We need Vitamin D to maintain a healthy immune system, brain function, and just about everything you can think of. It’s easy and it’s free! That’s why we recommend setting an alarm and going outside for 5 – 10 minutes every day. So grab a chair and a book (or phone) and relax. It’s a great way to take regular breaks during the day. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/vitamin-d-deficiency
3. Exercise.
Dopamine, Serotonin, Endorphins, Oxytocin – what do all these fancy words mean – happy hormones! Regular exercise ensures your body creates and releases a steady stream of these good guys. Our body really isn’t designed to sit in a chair all day. It’s designed to move around and get a little sweaty from time to time. “But I can’t use the gym”, you say. Don’t worry, we have you covered with a few suggestions. If you can go into your backyard, balcony or pick a room – then get creative with some bodyweight exercises, from squats, push ups, burpees, or just running on the spot. The possibilities are almost limitless. YouTube is a great resource for at-home workout and exercise routines. Of course, check with your doctor before doing any strenuous exercise. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-benefits-of-exercise
4. Mindfulness Practice.
When working from home it is common for the lines to get blurred between work, life, and play. Without the physical space of separation, sometimes we need to create the mental space within ourselves and unwind. That’s why we recommend starting a mindfulness practice, whether it’s yoga, meditation, or deep breathing exercises – the science behind these practices is eye-opening, from enhanced mood, positive emotions, concentration, memory, and more: https://www.smilingmind.com.au/mindfulness
Get started today and feel much better during your transition to working from home. Please get in contact with us if you have any other questions about teaching English online.
