Realigning your WFH game
Now that you’re working from home all the time, it’s time to realign your daily habits and start to find a flow that works with your new schedule. Without a change of scenery, shifting in and out of work mode can be challenging, especially if working from home every day is new to you. Being mindful of the change by introducing new habits has been helpful for many people, including me. I'm sharing some tips that have helped me to lean into this new regimen and really start to enjoy it. After all, I do believe that enjoying yourself and the workday is more important than almost anything else. Prioritizing ways that make you feel good throughout the day are thus non-negotiable.
1. Get a comfy WFH outfit
You know how you've dreamed of going to work in activewear? That dream is now your reality if you choose to accept it. I know I definitely do not miss having to wear office clothes and shoes all day. Though to be fair, I probably never had to, but I have mainly always followed the recommend office attire suggestions by choice. But now that I am the office manager of my home office, I wear yoga activewear most days and am loving every minute of it. If you're new to activewear as casual attire, I highly recommend looking up eco-conscious, sustainable small businesses that deserve your business right now more than ever over large brands like Lululemon and Athleta.
These small businesses are still open during the quarantine and are making, sometimes even with their own hands, high-quality casual and activewear like Pact and Purusha People, which make sustainable, plastic-free non-synthetic activewear. Purusha People offer premade and made to order items, which can take a few weeks, but the quality of the products make it well worth the wait.
2. Get into aromatherapy
Going from work mode to chill mode can be tough when you’re stuck in the same space the entire day. Using essential oils or scented candles can add a powerful effect to any space in your home. Scents can conjure up emotions and activate you or calm you down like no other. They also help change the vibe/mood after your workday to shift gears into relaxation-mode. I recommend picking a few different scents that sound good and going from there. If something sounds like it would smell nice, chances are you are going to enjoy the scent AND benefit from its effects the same way your health benefits from vitamins and supplements. Scents that are activating are peppermint, lemon, orange, bergamot, grapefruit; while stress-relieving scents are like lavender, chamomile, rose, clary sage.
3. Soundtrack
Pick a soundtrack for your day. Music playlists add color and vibe to your day just like scents. They’re also a good way to keep time. I like to listen to an entire playlist or mix as I’m working on a task. Once it is over, I know it’s time to stretch my legs. Spotify and YouTube have a ton of options to add a vibe to your day – just look up work/focus/chill/fun/uplifting playlists, or try something new by going to your Daily Mixes. Here are a few of my favorite playlists:
4. Try a food delivery subscription
Grocery shopping is a serious stressor for some of us now. I wasn't able to get a delivery from my neighborhood supermarket or curbside pick up in the first two weeks during SIP. I was forced to brave the hectic, sparsely stocked stores in person a few times before deciding to order delivery from a few companies I had heard about that offer food prep and grocery delivery from local farms. Luckily, I was already using Imperfect Foods, a company whose mission is to minimize food waste and increasing my biweekly order was easy enough. I picked two more delivery services, Farm Fresh to You (use code NZEM1519 for $15 off your first delivery) and Hungry root which now covers groceries for my family of two. I really like Imperfect Foods and Farm Fresh to You because they are sustainable and support local farmers. I appreciate Hungry root nice because they supply all the ingredients for nutritious meals (if you use the links and code I included above you’ll get $10 or $15 off your first delivery). I'm sure there are other such services across the country (perhaps even the globe), so don't be shy to browse the food prep and delivery services in your area if you aren't in the Bay Area.
5. Find new ways to exercise
There are a ton of new ways now to exercise from home. While YouTube has had virtual workouts forever, the free classes available through Instagram have been amazing. Many yoga studios are closed now and teachers have been offering free and donation-based classes online. I actually do these too about once a week. Many teachers now are also offering these classes through Zoom and other platforms where people can turn their cameras on and socialize a little before class. Here are some of the teachers and classes I’ve really been enjoying (yes, my profile is included because I enjoy those as well :)
Green Magic Yoga with Javi - Social + relaxation-based, cannabis-friendly yoga Sundays at 4:20 PST
Kula Wellness with Justin and Krysta - Strength-based yoga every weekday at noon PST
Yoga with Sparks with Noemi - Thursdays at 7 PM and Sundays at 9:30 AM PST
Ganja Yoga with Dee Dussault (Founder or Ganja Yoga) - Class available on demand through ganjayoga.online
6. Reconnect with your feet
Now that you don't have to wear shoes every day, I invite you to go barefoot all day (or as much as you can/want). If we’ve met and had a few conversations, I’ve probably mentioned how terrible I think modern shoes are, especially for women. Wearing shoes all day limits the sensations your feet feel and their connection with the earth. Almost all shoes have a heel, which causes the calf to shorten over the day and eventually pelvic-floor dysfunction. About 80% of women have trouble with incontinence due to wearing high heels. So now that you’re home, say good-bye to those nasty heels and say hello to your feet! It’s time to give your feet and toes some extra TLC. Going barefoot in your house and backyard is a great way to reengage those lost sensations and helps to improve your balance, proprioception, and body awareness, which can help with pain relief. better foot mechanics, which can lead to improved mechanics of the hips, knees, and core.
Conclusion
I hope these few suggestions have inspired you to try something new while you work from home. I'd love to hear if you have any new practices or routines you've discovered during the quarantine in the comments. Stay well and grounded, friends.
