10 Invigorating Uplifts for Working from Home
Most people would jump at the chance to work in their PJs. But let’s be honest, working from home means no human contact, no exciting office dynamics , and no team-feeling. In fact it can get drastically dull, so much that it’s easy to check out, stare at your laptop in a fog, or slip into social media apps.
After 6 months of telecommuting I learned that I don’t have to feel like a hermit just because I work at home. In fact, I now shut my laptop at the end of the day feeling good, human, and productive. You, too, can easily make every day feel invigorating without ever stepping outside. Here are 10 smart uplifts for working from home:
1. Begin the Day with a Quick Motivational Read
Instead of waking up like a zombie, logging on on autopilot and slogging into work assignments, take 5 minutes to glance at that newsletter you signed up for because it inspired you, the blog feed of an influential person you follow, or that career advice article you wanted to read. Motivational words remind you of why humans want to work in the first place. I start my day off with a short article from a special folder in my email where I keep inspiring blogs, newsletters, and mailing lists.
2. Charge the Air with Background Music
Turning music on charges your workspace, warms up your brain, and gets ideas flowing. The sound of deejays talking is energizing and, although not as real as an actual coworker, gives the comfort of another human voice. I like to turn the radio up right before a call with a supervisor to get myself in social-mode. Science has proven that listening to music can result in higher concentration, in fact, so much that surgeons use it during operations to help them perform better.
3. Keep the Air Flowing
Cool air is stimulating. I turn the ceiling fan in my living room on high speed when I’m working so that the air never gets stale. The fresh burst of air invigorates my thoughts and the spinning sound of the blades keeps me alert and focused. Also, cranking the AC up just slightly can give an edge to the at-home office, and opening the windows lets in breeze, distant sounds, and sunlight to enliven the work mood.
4. Use a Little Candle Magic
Activate your senses with a candle of your favorite scent. It will make your work environment more pleasing, invigorate your senses, and trigger deeper breathing. Moreover, candles are powerful focus tools. By placing your attention away from the screen and lightly on the candle for a few minutes throughout the day, you’ll get a surge of clarity and a mental reset.
5. Recharge with Mini-breaks
At the office there’s the occasional hello, casual interruption, or chatter down the hall to break up the monotony. At home you don’t have these healthy distractions. Don’t stay glued to your seat in a quiet trance for 3 hours, be persistent and get up and walk into another room or go outside for a few minutes. Tiny frequent breaks are a great way to counteract long, intense focus, brain fog, and eye strain.
6. Stay Physically Active
Move, jump, dance, twirl…hula hoop. The point is, get your body moving. The health risks of sitting all day are so serious some claim it’s worse for you than smoking. Health experts say we should be exercising at the very least, 2 hours a day, and 4 hours for optimal health. One study found there were health benefits to getting up and moving for just one minute, several times during the day. Incorporate movement into your frequent mini-breaks.
7. Embrace the Phone Chat
Working at home you can’t see coworkers’ nonverbal and facial cues which are obvious at the office. Rather than trying to play detective about what your co-workers are thinking, embrace phone chats. Talking on the phone not only brings instant clarity, but it provides an opportunity for human contact, and bonding, if even for 5 minutes. You will feel refreshed and back on track after a solid human exchange.
8. Perk Up with Peppermint Oil
This is one of my personal favorite uplifts. When I use it in the workplace, people either love it, are weirded out by it, or ask, “What’s that Christmas smell?” You can purchase peppermint oil at any health food store or online. I use the 365 brand from Whole Foods. Just add a few drops to a spray bottle of water and mist yourself or rub a drop of the oil on your wrist and inhale. Peppermint oil is known for its awakening, invigorating properties and does a great job of stimulating mental alertness. Perfect for that afternoon lull.
9. Open the Communication w/ Online Chat
My coworkers and I use Lync to chat online, and it is an incredibly efficient way to communicate when working from home. I use it frequently throughout the day to ask questions, get feedback, share ideas and respond to requests. Sometimes it’s just a fun way to say hi, briefly socialize, or share some personal news. If you feel left in the dark, try chatting it up online to open up the communication channels.
10. Clear Out, Move, or Change the Workspace
After work is done and you log off, clear the space by moving your laptop and portable table somewhere out of sight. If you work at a desktop computer, cover it with a nice tapestry and clear any residual work-oriented stuff from the desk. Recharge the environment so that you feel a shift when you set up ‘your office.’ Working from home should be a healthy ritual, not an invasion of your living space.
