In an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19, many companies are now instructing their employees to work remotely. While working from home can be quite relaxing, it can also be rather stressful at times. It can be quite difficult to find the motivation to power through your workday while surrounded by your family members and with your comfortable bed beckoning from the next room. When the stresses of working from home get to be too much, sometimes the best thing you can do is simply take a break. This may seem counterproductive at first; however, taking short breaks throughout your workday can actually help you maintain your motivation and productivity. Brighten up your workday with these three great ways to take a break when working from home.
Create something
Give your mind a mental break and spend a few minutes each day embracing your creative side. You don’t need to be the next Van Gogh. Simply put pen to paper and see what comes of it; you’ll likely be surprised by the results. These creative breaks can come in various manners, so take some time to experiment and see what works best for you. Perhaps you’d like to try your hand at writing poetry or maybe you prefer dealing in abstract art. If you’d prefer a creative endeavor with slightly more guidance, consider working on a jigsaw puzzle or painting a color-by-number. Regardless of how you choose to express your creativity, it’s important that you use this time as an escape from work. Even five minutes spent doodling can clear your mind significantly. You may even discover a new outlook on life that can help you solve even your most challenging tasks at work.
Tidy up
It may not seem like the most fun activity, but tidying up your space can be a great way to take a break when working from home. Working in an environment that’s overrun with paper products, children’s toys, and general clutter will only add to your overall stress level and can cause your motivation to dwindle far quicker than you’d like. If you feel you’re in need of a break but would still like to do something productive, spend a few minutes tidying up your workspace. This will help clear your head and put you back on a productive path. If you need a slightly longer break, consider taking your cleaning streak to other areas of the house. Start a load of laundry, wash the dishes in the sink, or quickly vacuum your bedroom. You’ll focus better knowing that your house is in ship-shape order and you’ll have fewer things to do once your workday comes to a close.
Exercise
After several hours hunched over a computer, both your mind and body will be in desperate need of a break. Take periodic pauses from your workload to stretch and shake out your body throughout the day. If you’d like to take things one step further, consider extending your break slightly and partaking in a brief exercise routine. Thanks to YouTube, there are plenty of fast and free workouts available online, so you’re sure to find something that fits your fancy. If your kids are also starting to feel a bit of cabin fever, consider involving them in your exercise break and
work out as a family.
