How to Create a Wellbeing Routine When Office and Home is One

In order to work effectively from home it is crucial to be clear about your daily wellbeing routine, and to always be ready to improve on it. Routine doesn’t have to be the same activity, instead see it as a designated time in your day to connect with conscious awareness.

What is awareness?

In simple words awareness is becoming aware of your thoughts and feelings. It requires a thought to become aware. It’s like turning from outward to inward. A simple question you can ask yourself to shift your awareness is, ‘how do I feel right now?’ The moment you answer you gain conscious awareness.

We can argue that most of the time we go through our day like robots, being on autopilot. This may feel good to us (no thinking is required!), but in a world where everything is changing, and even transforming, this may not help us much to find our path in the chaos.

The working from home culture has clear advantages, but issues such as feeling of loneliness and mental health are on the rise.

Yes, stress! We know it. We experience it. Stress is how we respond when our needs are not met. We want to be heard, understood, seen and loved.

How can you create a wellbeing routine?

Getting a great start to the day.

This is important for you to be productive when working from home. Spend a little time each morning to sit with yourself. For this, you can remain lying in bed if you prefer, but key is to transition from a so-called dream state to daytime awareness. Equally, you could consider implementing a short ritual that marks the shift from relaxed state to work state. I use this time to set my intention for the day.

Shifting into work mode.

Working from home the formal mental shift from the home environment to the office, such as during a commute, is no more. A separate space dedicated to work within the home will help immensely, but not everyone can afford this luxury. Our advice: In particular if needing to work in the regular living space, it may be important to mark the transition, such as by a short meditation, a short walk, or the ringing of a bell or gong.

Drawing the line between home and work.

This can boil down to defining when the work day begins and when it ends, or it can mean repeating the ritual that marks the transition between ‘off work’ and ‘work’.

Especially if prone to work for ever longer hours, this will be important as health will likely suffer otherwise. Overworking not only makes us less efficient but it negatively impacts our immune system. Working through lunch and skipping breaks or working when sick does not increase productivity! Tune in with self and be aware of what works and what doesn’t. Be honest with yourself. Too often we like to gloss over our own needs.

Knowing what tools work – limiting stress as opposed to creating it.

Mental health has made headlines during the pandemic, and it will be good to remember that staying sane and healthy are prerequisites for good work getting done, not the other way around. For example, if your internet connection is not as good as it could be, consider audio- as opposed to video-based meetings. Microsoft Teams is a Zoom-like tool, with an added wellbeing feature: Headspace. Here is a link to a conversation with Headspace co-founder Andy Puddicombe on why it’s important to practice mindfulness in the flow of work.

Knowing when to log off.

Zoom fatigue has turned me towards ‘walk & work’ meetings instead whenever possible. I recently arranged to meet a client in a nearby forest as opposed to the usual online. I carried a flask of tea and a few healthy biscuits in my rucksack, no laptop bag, and met my client in a pleasant clearing. We found a space to sit on a tree trunk, at a (anti-)social distance. Mother Nature energized us both and an inspirational exchange lead to a new opportunity.

When the going gets tough.

Losing jobs, losing colleagues creates fear and anxiety. Whilst for many this can be an uncomfortable and potentially stressful time, it is a very normal feeling when a close and protective leader/colleague/boss leaves. He/she leaves a void. Often, we feel abandoned, which creates vulnerability.

If you feel energies from fear and anxiety, consider this quick remedy, which is always accessible: Shift your awareness onto a situation or somebody you are deeply grateful for and hold these feelings in your heart. Remain with your awareness in your heart for a few minutes while inhaling and exhaling slowly. Repeat throughout the day. You should feel your mood shifting after a few minutes. Feelings of love and gratitude are among the highest vibrations.

Don’t underestimate what is happening around you which can indirectly have an impact on how you feel. If you want to protect yourself from unwanted energies, check out this meditation to guard yourself while you go about your day. There are other ways to protect yourself energetically by wrapping your entire body in white light. Don’t worry if it sounds a bit off to you; just try it or do some research about energy protection to put your mind at ease.

Other elements to think of when setting up your home work space:

• A good chair set to the right height or a stand-up desk, possibly for alternating to, are other tools that can positively impact your health.
• Nutrition factors. I like to keep healthy snacks and drinks around. Carrots, apples and almonds are great, as are herbal teas. Why not an immune boosting fresh ginger tea with turmeric? Also, a fridge well stocked with water, including the carbonated type for variety, will keep you hydrated and well-oiled for work.
• For a healthy environment, keep some plants around. I keep a dragon plant (known for purifying the air) next to my reading area.
• Other props to use include crystals, incense, Himalayan salt lamps, and so on. Not office like enough? Why not? Challenge your preconceived ideas and follow what makes you feel good! Or keep it minimalist if that helps you more. Different crystals have different effects.
• If not too distracting to you, music can help anchor you in a state of mind that is conducive to creativity and productivity i.e. to work.

P.S. My company Soul Luxury stems from the acknowledged need for ‘Wellbeing at Work’ – or at home! For more on this, do visit https://soul-luxury.com/services/wellbeing-work/

With love & best wishes for your wellbeing and good work.

More about the Author:

Claudia Roth is the founder of Soul Luxury specialising in the area of personal growth & transformation and healing hospitality. She draws her experience as a global executive in luxury hospitality combined with a lifelong interest in how our energy field influenced by our thoughts, beliefs and emotions influence our lives. She works with individuals, facilitates retreats and offers personal change programmes. Claudia runs a global community which – at its heart – holds conversations exploring a future based on a new and deeper understanding of self.

Her guided journal Your 28 Days to Self Love is available on Amazon and other major book retail platforms.

All original material copyright © 2020 Claudia Roth