Working from home can be a dream for busy moms who want to spend more time with their families. But if we don’t establish a routine and healthy habits, it can leave us feeling just as depleted as commuting to an office every day — or worse. Truth be told, I often find myself working longer hours now as a work-from-home mompreneur than when I worked in an office, but I also get to set my own hours. It’s all about finding the right balance and what works for you.
Below are 10 healthy habits I recommend incorporating into your day to help you maintain peace of mind when trying to juggle motherhood, work, and everything in between while working from home.
Start Your Day Strong
How you start your morning sets the tone for the rest of the day. Prioritize taking care of your mind and body first.
1. Get some sunshine and fresh air
Getting outside and exposing your eyes to the sun first thing in the morning helps maintain a healthy circadian rhythm, primarily responsible for regulating the sleep-wake cycle. Walking outside in the morning can also be a great way to get your exercise in for the day. Starting your day this way will help you feel more energized, focused, and calm.
2. Rehydrate with a tall glass of water
After a night of sleep and several hours without water, the body craves hydration in the morning. So, quench the thirst with a tall glass of water when you wake up or right after your walk. You can add fresh mint leaves, crisp cucumbers, or any other fruits or veggies; a mineral supplement; or lemon juice for a healthy boost. It’s a great idea to keep a reusable water bottle on your desk, so you remember to hydrate throughout the workday, no matter how busy it gets.
3. Eat a well-balanced breakfast
Eating a balanced breakfast containing protein, fiber, carbs, and healthy fats is key to starting the day off right. A balanced breakfast promotes healthy blood sugar levels and sustained energy throughout the day. If you’re a coffee drinker, consider having your coffee after you’ve eaten something; this will result in more stable energy versus a mid-day crash.
Once You Get The Day Going
Once you’re ready to get to work, you’ll want to incorporate these healthy habits that help you maintain peace of mind and well-being throughout the day.
4. Have a dedicated space for work
Sometimes working from the bed or couch is all we can manage but having a dedicated space for work is essential to a successful WFH setup. A dedicated space for work creates a boundary between your professional and personal life, and it’s also better for your spine and posture. A comfortable chair, appropriate height desk, or even a standing desk is a must. If you work on a laptop, a keyboard, mouse, and riser can be game changers. If you’re lucky enough to have your own office at home, close the door when it’s time to work, keep it organized, and decorate it in a way that uplifts you.
5. Create a schedule and stick to it
It can be far too easy to mix family and personal time with work when WFH. Whether you carry over your work into the evening or let the kids distract you when you should be working, it can be a challenge. Do your best to set a start and end time that you stick to daily, communicate your hours with your family, and get the support you need to ensure you can maintain clear boundaries between your work and personal time.
6. Organize your day with a to-do list
Starting the workday by creating a to-do list is a great way to get organized for the day and figure out how you’ll manage your time. Consider which tasks are a priority and which will require the most of your time and energy, then plan to get those out of the way first. Most people tend to have waning energy in the afternoon, so it’s best to leave more manageable tasks for later in the day.
7. Take regular breaks
Be sure to take breaks throughout the day. Not only do your eyes need a break from the screen, but your body can also use regular stretch breaks. Sitting for extended periods has been linked to lowered health, so it’s a good idea to break up those long days with movement breaks every two or three hours.
8. Eat meals away from your desk
Meals are best enjoyed (and digested) when our bodies are in a relaxed state. Typing with one hand while eating forkfuls of your salad with another isn’t doing you any favors. Set aside time for lunch and take a relaxing meal break where you can also disconnect from work and be present while you savor your meal.
9. Connect with others
Working from home can get lonely if you don’t have the chance to speak to other people all day. So, make it a point to connect with coworkers, friends, or family during the day to satisfy your innate need for socialization.
10. Practice mindfulness
Mindfulness can be incorporated into small pockets of your day and can be a means to reset if you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed. All you need is a few minutes to ground yourself. Mindfulness can include guided meditation, breathing exercises, yoga, or journaling. Fit these activities into your morning or evening routine or practice them in short increments throughout the day to keep you balanced.
Are you a WFH mom? Tell me, what are some of the healthy habits you’ve incorporated into your daily routine?
Cheers,
Vanessa
