People all over the country – and the world – are suddenly faced with the reality that they will likely work from home for the foreseeable future. In some cases, working from home provides benefits that you won’t get while you’re in the office every day. For example, remote work means you can avoid a stressful commute and expenses related to being away from your home. On the other hand, working from a home office can result in other unintended consequences like extreme isolation, sadness, and stress.
With that said, there are many ways you can reduce your stress and boost your productivity while you’re working from home. Keep reading to learn how to create a stress-free environment that helps you focus on the task at hand.
Bring Plants into Your Space
Plants are a great way to liven up your work-from-home environment. If you’re worried about your black thumb killing any plants that enter your home, have no fear. There are plenty of hardy and resilient plants that can still thrive if you accidentally neglect them or over-water them. Stick to plants that are easier to maintain like jade plants or ferns.
Freckle-faced plants or fig leaf tree plants are other good options. Plants can reduce stress and add a dose of cheerfulness to any space. Consider repotting your plants from their plastic containers and transferring them into colorful, handmade pots with drainage holes.
Use CBD on Stressful Days
Have you ever thought about CBD tinctures? Well, if you’re prone to stress, CBD can be a powerful way to reduce those feelings of stress and anxiety. CBD works by reducing inflammation in the body and has a soothing effect on users. If you feel like you need a little extra calmness on days full of excess stress, CBD can be a serious godsend.
Consider Adopting a Pet
While some companies are only introducing a temporary work-from-home situation, many others are moving permanently to fully remote work. If that’s the case, you may want to consider adopting a four-legged best friend.
Both dogs and cats have been proven to help reduce stress. Consider checking out the adoptable animal page at your local animal shelter. A fur-child can help you become more productive, less stressed, and happier. Just make sure you’re prepared before you bring a pet into your home! You should be stocked up with food and toys before your new family member arrives.
Create a Productive Area
The worst place to work while you’re at home is sprawled out on your bed. Although that might feel like the most comfortable, it actively inhibits your productivity and can eventually lead to muscle strains and pains. Instead, focus on creating an at-home office that helps you focus.
Set aside a corner or an entire room dedicated to work. You may even want to invest in a standing desk to keep you more actively and physically engaged in your work.
Get Enough Sleep
Getting enough sleep while you’re working from home regularly is paramount to your productivity. We all know what it feels like to get inadequate sleep and feel groggy all day. Aim to get at least 8 hours of sleep at night. And, if you’re feeling particularly sleepy, you may even want to consider a nap during the day. Just be sure to keep your nap under 30 minutes, otherwise you might feel even sleepier after due to sleep inertia.
Make Sure You Know When to Unplug
One of the hardest parts of working from home is establishing the right time to turn off your computer and doing something else. Give yourself a hard deadline every day depending on your work schedule. When that time comes around, shut down your computer and do something else.
Give yourself space away from your office and go outside, cook a meal, or do something unrelated to your work. You and your brain need a break, after all!
Conclusion
While working from home does provide tons of benefits, it can also be hard to deal with the new stresses that come with it. Consider incorporating some or all of these tips to experience a successful, stress-free work-from-home experience.
