1. Set an Intention
Our day is shaped by our mental outlook on life. Waking up on the ‘wrong side of the bed’ can have an immediate negative impact on our mood that can last the whole day. Instead, vow to wake up feeling good, and repeat little mantras or set an intention for yourself to have a good day. Simply thinking you will have a good day will make your day more likely to be positive.
2. Meal Prep
As someone who has worked from home for the last three years, having meals and snacks prepped and ready to go is key. If I am making snacks, I try to portion out several servings at a time, wash fruit, cut up extra veggies, and make muffins that I can freeze for future weeks’ use. I also like to make lunches and dinners ahead of time and portion them out with salads so I can grab-and-go when I am working. This works well too for times you just don’t feel like cooking. Having something pre-prepped or frozen makes meal planning a lot easier.
3. Move your Body
Regular movement is critical for our health. Too much sitting or standing both have negative effects. Instead, it is better to have a combination of sitting and standing throughout the day and regular movement breaks in between. Go for a walk at lunch or do a few laps around the house while tidying up. Take a couple extra trips up the stairs while doing laundry or do some stretches in the morning or before bed. Every step counts.
4. Eat with Intention
Distractions are everywhere and it has a serious impact on our ability to sit down and enjoy a meal. How many of us eat lunch in front of the computer or scroll on our phones during dinner? Not only is distracted eating bad for our minds because we aren’t taking a minute to pause and rest, but it also impacts our digestion and hunger/satiety cues. Eating intentionally means eating at a table, distraction free, and actually chewing our food. I am very guilty of eating fast, and this can cause a lot of intestinal upset like gas/bloating but can also make us still feel hungry and crave more food than our bodies actually need. Take time to enjoy your food, distraction free. Take time to taste the food you are eating.
5. Hydrate
Being inside for long periods of time dries out our skin, and drinking enough water or eating hydrating foods like watermelon, grapes, cucumbers, and apples can help keep our skin healthy and happy. Additionally, having a warm cup of tea or water with lemon helps to improve digestion, lower stress, and improve metabolism. Caffeine free tea is hydrating, just like water. Be careful of too much coffee, as that is a diuretic and can actually dry us out more. Always drink plenty of water to offset any caffeinated or alcoholic beverages.
6. Attitude of Gratitude
Be thankful for a new day of new opportunities. It is important to stay positive and look on the bright side. Setting an intention will help with this, but so will saying one thing you are thankful for every day. My husband and I have done this nearly every day for the last 2 years and it really makes a big difference on the days that seem extremely tough. Did you wake up in a bed with a roof over your head? Do you get to eat lunch today? Did you get out for a walk? All of those sound like great things to be thankful for. Remember, your mental outlook projects your future. Make it a good one!
7. Fresh Air
Even in the dead of winter it is important to get some fresh air! Open a window, go get the mail outside, take out the trash/recycle/compost. Even just opening the window and getting some fresh air for a minute or two will help invigorate you and also help with air quality. A lot of people struggle with seasonal allergies which makes going outside in spring or fall tough, but there are a lot of allergens lurking in our homes too. Getting fresh air is important and if you are feeling stuffy in the home, get an air cleaner or a plant that naturally does that for you.
8. Take a Break
This doesn’t even need an explanation. Take a break…from everything. Allow yourself downtime to work on something you want to do, or to sit quietly and meditate. Whatever it is, make sure you take that time for yourself. It is easy to get caught up in chores or work when you're home but be sure to carve out that YOU time for some self-care or even some guilt free reading or couch sitting. Channel your inner hygge.
9. See Green
Even if we can’t be fully in nature, seeing something green has a positive, calming effect on our brains and stress level. Get a nice indoor plant (make sure it is pet friendly if you have pets) and not only will it give you something nice and simple to nurture and care for, a lot of indoor plants have the added benefit of filtering the air. Some great options include: boston fern, spider plant, bamboo palm, and english ivy.
10. Stick to a Schedule Last but most importantly, stick to some sort of schedule. Have regular breaks for meal times, plan on your chores and set a to-do list, and make sure to schedule in time for exercise or stretching. Sticking to a schedule will help you feel accomplished and good at the end of the day instead of more stressed and depleted. Just remember, we only have so many hours in a day so make sure your schedule is reasonable and sustainable for you.