Even in the best-case scenario, working from home can be challenging. Add a worldwide pandemic, kids taking classes from home, infinite workflow changes, few socializing options, and lots and lots of togetherness with your family or roommates. It’s easy to become anxious. Self-care is not a luxury, but an important way to help yourself adjust to our new normal. We’ve outlined eight simple ways to make working from home happier and more productive.

1. Stick to a regular sleep schedule
Get up on time whether you have a call or meeting scheduled first thing or not – and don’t burn the midnight oil. Sticking to regular bed and wake times is important in self-care, because they contribute to sleep quality. Without that regular routine, you’re likely to be sluggish or have big fluctuations in energy. You might be tempted to take a long nap in the afternoon. Instead, opt for a quick walk outside. Keep any naps to 20-minute power naps – set an alarm!

2. Keep your workday routine
Take a shower, get ready and ‘commute’ to work. Keep it casual if you like – but officially prepping for each work day tells your brain that it's not the weekend, and you're not taking a sick day. This simple act is important in self-care and also helps designate work time from off time. Then, instead of spending time in your car or on the train, the commute can be whatever you want it to be. Sit outside with your coffee. Take a walk or do some yoga. Read your book. Designate some time and be conscious that this is your transition into working, the same as a commute would be.

3. Identify a workspace
While your computer is likely most of your ‘office’, it's important to designate a work area, even if it’s just one end of the dining room table. This is another cue telling your brain you’re ‘at work’. Skip the couch and sit in a chair – it does wonders for your attention, energy, and even your self-confidence. And remember your posture! If you conduct business meetings via videoconference, make sure the background behind you is professional. Take a few minutes to adjust your webcam and lighting so you can be seen well. You may also need to elevate your laptop so it’s at eye level. The better you appear on screen, the better you’ll feel.

4. Build in breaks
When your home is your office, its even more challenging to find work-life balance. It's key to set boundaries and keep a routine. Regular breaks and physical activity provide lots of benefits beyond the obvious – including increased immune function – and helps you approach things with fresh perspective. A 15-minute break can reset your mood and help you process information better. If you have kids schooling from home, think of ways that everyone’s breaks could be fun: perhaps a family lunchtime reading hour. Join your kids for an after school neighborhood walk with the dog. Your kids will benefit from the structure of a realistic routine, as well.

5. Go to lunch
It's hard, but resist the temptation to snack all day. Eating a full, healthy lunch is another form of self-care, because it gives you the nourishment you need to have consistent energy. If this one is tough, make your lunch in advance, just as you would if going to the office. Schedule a lunch date with a friend via teleconference to catch up. And be sure to stay hydrated throughout the day by filling up a water bottle to keep on your desk. There are apps for tracking that, too!

6. Observe quitting time
Just like a morning routine, ‘commuting’ home is also essential. That's when you stop checking the work email, change into cozy clothes, and figure out what’s for dinner. Fight the temptation to answer one or two more messages – that can lead to burnout. Know when to stop for the day.

7. Try live workout classes
Simply scheduling time to exercise is a form of self-care, but let's face it – following through is the harder part. Tons of gyms and trainers are offering online plans and live-streamed classes. We receive positive energy as part of a community – even if you're alone following an instructor who can't see you. You are part of a group of people doing the same thing at the same time.

8. Take time for yourself
The perception of self-care is often one of decadent indulgence: long baths and mud masks, glasses of wine, lounging in bed. But making yourself a priority in an everyday way is a critical aspect of your overall well-being, especially when working from home.

Don’t mistake self-care for being selfish. Find healthy ways to comfort yourself, prioritize, stay connected, and maintain structure. These are especially important during a time of such upheaval and uncertainty. Bliss on Broadway is offering many services ‘al fresco’ on our back patio – by appointment only. Call us at 562-439-4333. You can also purchase a gift certificate now for services in the future. http://www.blissonbroadway.com/