​​Working from home sounds great, but the transition to telecommuting during this period can be highly stressful as governments around the world move to limit movement and curb the spread of the coronavirus. The disruptions to daily life caused by the COVID-19 pandemic are bringing forth new challenges that even seasoned remote workers might find overwhelming to handle. In the midst of trying to juggle everything, you might neglect your well-being and put yourself at the risk of burning out or falling sick. Besides creating a conducive work environment at home, you have to take care of your well-being to stay productive and healthy while staying home.

Here are some self-care tips to help you get started.   

• Watch what you eat 

You are what you eat, so eating a balanced diet is key to staying healthy. Plus, it will help you stay fuller longer, helping you to focus better. A simple way to make sure you’re eating healthily is to divide your plate into four. Wholegrains and your choice of protein should take up one-quarter of the plate each, and the rest of it should be filled with fruits and vegetables. Additionally, keep yourself hydrated by drinking lots of water.   

• Avoid junk food and sugary treats 

Working from home means you have easy access to your kitchen, which means you can conveniently whip up a healthy meal for yourself. However, the opposite applies as well, and you might find yourself snacking on junk food more often than you would like to think. Many of us tend to snack to relieve some boredom or stress, and the snacks tend to be high in sodium or sugars, which are detrimental to the body in the long run. Stick to eating healthy and during your regular mealtimes. If you really want a snack, opt for healthier options like nuts and fruits instead of crackers and ice cream.   

• Maintain a regular sleep cycle 

The body needs to sleep to function well, and maintaining a regular sleep cycle is key to achieving the good night’s rest. It can be tempting to stay up late, sleep in or take afternoon naps when you’re working from home but doing so can mess up your sleep cycle.  Stick to waking up and sleeping at fixed times can help you achieve better quality sleep, and you are more likely to wake up refreshed and focused throughout the day.  Also, make sure you are sleeping enough too – an adult body performs its best with seven to eight hours’ sleep. If you’re feeling sleepy in the day, do some light exercises or take a walk around your house instead of taking a nap to avoid disrupting your sleep schedule.    

• Exercise 

Just because the gyms and parks are closed does not mean you can’t exercise. Working out have many benefits to the body, including feeling more energized and stronger immunity. Set aside thirty minutes to an hour each day for some exercise to stay fit. Keep things interesting by varying your workout. Besides jogging, you can participate in online fitness classes where there is some interaction with the instructor.    

• Do social hangouts 

If you have been working in a bustling office environment, working from home can feel isolating due to the lack of human contact. According to a 2015 research article titled Loneliness and Social Isolation as Risk Factors for Mortality, feelings of loneliness and isolation can negatively affect your emotional and physical well-being, even more so than obesity and smoking itself. To prevent this, find new ways to interact with your co-workers and friends. For example, you can arrange to have lunch via video call with your friends. You can also create a group chat with co-workers for casual conversations and share interesting things that have happened to stay in touch.