Three Ways Of Improving Your Mental Health:
How to work from home and not feel claustrophobic
How to work from home and not feel claustrophobic
This past week has been difficult. Let me paint you a picture of what my life currently looks like. I live in a small two-bedroom flat that is also my workspace. It’s been raining all week, so there is a full clothes rack taking up half the room of my only available workspace. Oh, and I am without access to a car most of the time.
Living and working in the same place is not always easy. This is not a post complaining about how hard my life is. It’s a self-reminder that I have the skills to navigate challenging situations regardless of the circumstances.
Living in Europe during 2020/1 taught me several things about mental resilience. First, I learned coping strategies and tried to create a work-life balance despite enduring several lockdowns.
So, as I dream of returning to sunny Europe (one day), here are three pieces of advice to navigate feeling claustrophobic at home.
- Get out of the house!
One of the best ways to get out of that mental rut is to leave the house. I’m not talking about the 10 minute round trip to the store, but an actual decent outing. It could be a 30 min walk or a drive to the beach — something that gives your brain a chance to recalibrate and think about other things.
Sometimes a walk around the block will be enough. But, if I’m stuck in the house all week, I need a good couple of hours to reset. Doing this allows for the creativity to return and for you to feel more productive.
2. Create a routine
When I only have a few tasks for the day, most of the time, things don’t get done until the last minute.
This increases the feeling of unproductivity and often makes me feel ‘bleh.’
By creating even a skeleton of a routine, I can get on top of the little things. It allows me not to feel overwhelmed, and I can achieve even more during the day.
3. Write three things on the to-do list.
Make a mental note the night before what you need to achieve the next day. It doesn't have to be a significant task. Adding three things to the list will give you some direction for the next day and will help you feel productive once it’s done.
4. Hold a one-person dance party.
I’m serious. I know it sounds stupid, but it might make you feel better. Music has a significant effect on our emotions. Sometimes, you need a song that you can dance to, and you feel a little better. Have that dance party, hum that tune. Burst into tears if that helps too. Allow your brain to switch off and think about something other than work.
Finally, my closing piece of advice is to take one day at a time. Focus on what you can change rather than the things that seem too large or impossible. Give yourself a little grace to not be 100% productive, and try again tomorrow.
Melissa is passionate about building authentic and supportive communities to empower people to live physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy lives.
You can email her at [email protected] or find her on Twitter and Instagram
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