In the current pandemic, many people are working from home. Generally, there are two different groups of people – one which enjoys working from home as they cut down on travel time, and enjoy a comfortable work environment, while the other dislikes WFH as it tends to blur the boundaries between work and life.
It is of little doubt that the latter often find themselves more stressed as they find it harder to say no when colleagues ask them to help with more work. Working-from-home can hence be seen as a double-edged sword, with stress levels increasing due to such more casual arrangements.
Self-care, naturally, has started to take an increasingly important place in our lives as well. We have put together this guide which we hope will help in your self-care journey!
1 You Deserve Downtime
Due to the fast-paced life in Singapore, employees are often expected to work productively, sometimes even during weekends. The pandemic and the convenience of Zoom meetings makes it easier to schedule weekend meetings. This tends to take away protected time that should be meant for self-care. Nonetheless, despite the gruelling demands of work or school, it is important to remember that self-care should not be seen as a luxury, but a necessity.
You would be surprised by how much of a difference having a few hours of self-care a week can make to your life. Taking some downtime can allow you to come back stronger than before as you are more rejuvenated and ready to face the challenges at work. Taking time to relax allows you to adopt a healthier mindset, and makes you more likeable to be around – which in turn boosts your productivity in teams as well!
2 What Works Differs
It is important to note that every individual is different, and each person has their own, unique way of destressing and unwinding. What works for one person might not work for another.
Often, friends and family would show their weekend ‘getaways’ off on social media – but that does not mean that letting your hair down has to cost you money either. Even something as simple as even going for a morning or evening jog/walk at your nearby park can allow you to feel refreshed!
Naturally, there are times when guilt would kick in if you are not working or being productive, but it is key to remember that such self-care ‘downtime’ allows you to bounce back and become as productive, if not more productive, than before. Allowing your brain to rest and destress can also reduce stress levels and frustration when you’re back at work.
3 Methods For Self-care
We have compiled a list of self-care methods for you here for inspiration. We would encourage everyone to spend time exploring various ways of self-care methods. At the end of the day, it is about finding out which works best for you!
The result might surprise you, and you might even find yourself falling in love with an interest that you never envisioned you would enjoy.
a. Exercise
Going for a quick jog or spending time at the gym can help build a healthier and stronger body, as well as self-confidence. Inviting someone to come along with you can also add to the fun! Even something simple like a cycling session with people who matter (within safe distancing limits, of course!) can clear up a lot of accumulated pressure.
b. Play sports
This involves gathering your friends to play a recreational sport weekly. Not only does it add a fun spin to working out, but it is also a good opportunity to catch up with them over a healthy activity. Team sports such as badminton doubles work best, as they are easy to organize and burn a good amount of calories!
c. Do yoga
Recuperating your worn-out mind, instead of intensive workouts, may just be what you need instead. Consider doing yoga to achieve inner zen that could recalibrate your body and mind. If you do not have the luxury of time to attend weekly yoga sessions, taking a few minutes before sleeping daily to breathe and clear your thoughts can be just as helpful.
d. Set your goals
Working more productively can very well mean keeping your view far. The questions to ask are: Is what I am doing going to benefit me in the long run? Is working so hard going to yield the results I deserve? Is there a way to simplify things and still get the same outcome? The considerations here generally include knowing which goals to attain, and the most key tasks to achieve them. As for the rest, it will come to automating or giving them up.
Conclusion
Never underestimate the importance of taking a break. There are times when you just need to rest and after that, you can get back on task better than ever.
While we preach the importance of mental health and self-care, do remember to check in on your friends and loved ones! As they matter to you, it is important to ensure that they are not overwhelmed with work as well.
You might not know if anyone needs a small act of encouragement, and your check-in might just be the push they need. Show them that you care today! Head over to our other article on ways to show you care.