It’s International Self-Care Day: Tips on Self-Care for Remote Workers

Happy International Self-Care Day. Each year, on July 24th, people around the globe are encouraged to take a moment to remember to take care of their personal, mental, physical, and emotional health and learn about its long-term impact and importance.

But, this shouldn’t be something we do for one day a year, right? Exactly! The chosen date for this special day has hidden meaning- 24/7! Self- Care is something that can impact our lives twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

There are lots of factors in our lives that can have a heavy and negative impact on our well-being. These don’t always manifest in an illness, as such, but can slowly wear down your energy, your mood, your sense of happiness, your sleep habits, your diet, your quality time, and every other aspect of modern life.

This day is about stopping for a moment to focus on you in the hope that it can be a jumping-off point for many more days of self-care to come.

Here, we are going to look at some ways those who work remotely can develop some self-care routines that can help with overall well-being.

There are lots of perks to working remotely from home- close to all of your favorite things, a very short commute, possibly more free time because of that short commute, and many more.

However, there are certainly some ways that you can make your remote working experience much more agreeable, less frustrating, and less isolating.

Create a Comfortable Work Space

Source: Mayo Clinic/YouTube

If your living situation allows it, try to create a workspace that is quiet, private, full of natural light, and comfortable. This setup will have the obvious practical advantages of not being disturbed and having a place to put your computer.

This setup is also important in setting boundaries for your work and personal life, too. They are both too easily muddled when work and play are in the same building.

Having separate spaces for ‘work’ and ‘home’ time will allow you to be able to switch your ‘work mode’ on and off, just as you would when arriving at or leaving your office building or other places of work.

Don’t Forget to Take Breaks

In a typical office, there are usually not only mandatory breaks throughout the day but other little breaks, too.

Whether it is having that classic chat at the water cooler, popping into the break room to grab another coffee or even having a quick catch-up with a passing colleague, these all give your eyes and brain a brief break from your computer screen.

When at home alone, it is all too easy to forget this and plow on through your day without stopping. Take scheduled breaks just as you would in the workplace.

Embrace Your Free Time

When many hours of your day are spent doing work in your home, make sure that you spend time in your home doing things you love.

It would be easy to turn off the work computer only to head straight to another screen for your relaxing time. If you can, try to do something you love that does not involve more screen time. The idea is to try to turn your brain off from work and enjoy home.

Go out for a walk, do some art, cook yourself and your family a delicious meal, meet with friends- the list goes on. Anything that brings you mental joy and happiness will do the trick.

Exercise, Move, Stretch

Source: Yoga With Adriene/YouTube

Well, this is just good advice for anyone, but if you work from home in a sedentary job, it is all the more important. Working from home means that unless you make the effort, you will be getting less exercise than people who work sedentary jobs outside of the home. At least they have the commute and maybe some stairs and corridors to walk down.

If you aren’t in a position to leave your place in the day for a quick stretch of the legs, you could try to do a short yoga practice, either at your desk, if that is more practical, or elsewhere.

Source: Headspace/YouTube

Short breathing meditations are also useful to help you clear your head and reset, especially if you are having a particularly stressful day.

Eat Healthy Snacks and Don’t Forget Lunch

Again, though this is true for everyone no matter where they work, eating healthy snacks is something remote workers should be mindful of.

When your kitchen is likely just a few steps away from your office it would be easy to mindlessly grab whatever presents itself to you first when you open the fridge or pantry.

You could make snack- and lunchtime something to look forward to if you have prepared some energy-boosting, nutritious, and filling goodies. There are lots of OGP recipes that would be ideal.

Recipe Ideas:

• 15 Easy, Energizing, Healthy Plant-Based Snacks!
• 15 Healthy Vegan Snacks to Keep You Full
• 25 Energy-Packed Snack Balls That Will Jump-Start Your Day
• 12 Plant-Based Sandwiches that are Filling and Flavorful!

Related Content:

• How to Practice Self-Care Through Nutrition
• Reiki Energy Facials are the Newest Self Care Method You Should Try
• From Microgreens to Self-Care: 10 Health Trends of 2021
• 10 Self-Care Tips for Reducing Isolation Anxiety
• 5 Health Reasons Why Chocolate Totally Belongs in Your Self-Care Routine

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