As a freelancer, I’m used to being home for days on end, but most people I know are not and are starting to get stir crazy. I hope these lessons I’ve learned from decades of working home full-time will help.
Get dressed. It might be okay to stay in your pajamas or sweats all day occasionally if that's your thing. But it's a slippery slope from not getting dressed up at all to not putting on your makeup or shaving to skipping a shower to realizing you haven't bathed or washed your hair in days and you’re frightening the delivery person when you open the door. Besides, not getting dressed will make you depressed.
Keep active. You don't have to go to the gym or have equipment to exercise. That's not an excuse. Take a walk if you can, but find something to do (yoga? calisthenics? running in place while you watch TV?) so you’re not sitting all day.
Watch what you eat. Keep track of every bite. Food is delicious. Eating is a pleasure, but eating just because you're bored or stressed leads to a really bad end. Trust me, I know.
Set the table. Sit down, and make your dinner an event. Even if all you've got on hand is a tin of beans, serve it on a plate. Dress it with some lemon or vinegar and oil or whatever you like. Light some candles. Play some music. Put your phone down. Ban all negativity at mealtime.
Stimulate your brain. Everyone needs some lightweight distractions, and it's so, so easy to get lost in hours of surfing and streaming. But who's really going to feel good about having spent hundreds of hours watching Netflix or YouTube. In the end, you're going to say, "I had all that time, and I could have (fill in the blank)." Avoid the regret. Do that thing now. You've been wanting to for so long.
Have a routine. Funny how when we have very little free time, we know we need to squeeze the essential tasks into certain time frames, and we somehow manage to get them done. But when there's lots of free time, things get put off. Have a daily and weekly schedule for essential chores. Then you can use the extra time to catch up on the things you never seem to get around to and have some guilt-free fun, too.
Be grateful. This really has nothing to do with working at home, but it's a truly good habit. Take a few moments toward the end of each day to think of three things you are thankful for. It will make you feel better.
Valerie Trainor
West Milford