How To Work From Home and Not Go Crazy!
It is wild to me that there are so many people in this world who work from home on a day to day, given the state of panic that people have been in this past week with Quarantine 2020 happening. I have surveyed many people to get a deeper understanding of what “working from home” means to different people and companies. From what I gathered, people are still consistently working an average of 8 hour a day. The struggle is, feeling distracted and not productive when working and not knowing what to do with the rest of the 16 hours of the day other than sleep. The other side of the coin is that there are people who are not working when they are “working from home” because there is no work to be done or their company is not open at all.
I personally think that what everyone is missing is the structure in the day to day that work normally provides and also feeling completely unproductive as a result of it. As a Mental Health provider, I felt it necessary to help those around me and provide a schedule to help break up the days and keep yourself busy and distracted. Without it, this is what everyone's current schedule is looking like this one. It is incredibly important to keep a routine during this time as much as possible.
WHY ROUTINES WORK
Since we were born we have been in a routine and on a strict schedule. If you think about it, we were fed at a certain time, we slept at a certain time and were around people at certain times and a lot of these routines have not really changed since. Now as adults, we follow similar routines. Eating and sleeping at the same time, getting up and going to school and/or work. Even our socialization is in a routine. The routine is what keeps us going because they help us develop good habits that are in line with our goals and aspirations. The routine also helps us eradicate the bad habits that do not serve us well (the ones that creep back up when the routine breaks).
Just like brushing your teeth when you wake up, having a routine reduces the need to plan and in turn helps us become more proficient and get the most important task done. The more you set a schedule for yourself, the more likely you will be getting work done as opposed to looking up bread recipes for 45 minutes and then freaking out that you were not productive enough. All in all, your routine keeps you more confident and allows you to get more of what you need to complete that way you have more time for yourself and your own self care.
HAVING FUN THROUGH THIS PROCESS
Now, this is a dark and scary time and so it is important to keep it as light as possible for your own sanity. I have heard a lot of people saying that they “have the time so they should be getting everything on the list done.” How is that even possible? How are you supposed to work from home, manage your stress and check everything off your to do list? I look at this time as a time for learning to slow down. You do not have to paint the Sistine Chapel during this time off, but you should take care of yourself and have some fun!
As a result of this concept, I have decided to put into the schedule an hour of art making/ crafts each night being led by me! They will be posted on IG Live/ IG TV and will be a step by step of things that you can make just using the regular items in your home. My hope is that you can take this time to learn new skills and use it to help you slow down throughout the weeks.
THE DAILY SCHEDULE
I decided to create a daily schedule that allows for your routine to stay in place, work time and “free play” as well. In the regular day to day we play everything by ear, but with so many days ahead and no answer as to when this may end, it is important to have the structure and a plan to fall back on.
I am basing this schedule off of a 9-5 work day and you do not have to follow it to a tee or even every day, but it is important and helpful to feel like there is a “plan” in place before the world starts to become overwhelming and even daunting. I will also create a schedule for people who are not working, but are home.
I have also attached a schedule template for your work day schedule, that way you can best be productive.
IF YOU ARE WORKING SCHEDULE
7:30AM- 8:30AM: Wake up, morning routine, eat breakfast, get dressed,
9AM- 11:30AM: Get some work done
10:15AM- Morning Snack
11:30AM- 12PM: Take a walk outside (if it is raining this is your time for a dance party)
12PM- 12:45PM: Lunch prep + Lunch
12:45PM- 1PM: Clean up from lunch (do dishes, etc.)
1PM- 3:30 PM: More work time
3:30PM- 4PM: Snack and browse the internet for dinner ideas, baking recipes, online shopping, movies or shows you want to watch.
4PM-5PM: Complete the work day
5PM-6PM: Exercise
6PM-7PM: Prep dinner + Dinner
7PM-8PM: Craft time with Cari on IG
8PM-8:30PM: Clean up from crafting
8:30PM- 9PM: Self Care
9PM- Night Snack
9:15PM- 11PM: Movie and down time (Facetime friends, journal, nighttime routine)
11PM- Get in bed and prepare for sleep
IF YOU ARE NOT WORKING SCHEDULE
8AM-9AM: Wake up, morning routine, eat breakfast, get dressed,
9AM-10:30AM: Exercise
10:30AM- 11AM: Morning Snack
11AM-12PM: Read a few chapters of a book or listen to a podcast
12PM-12:45PM: Prep lunch + Lunch
12:45PM- 1PM: Clean up from lunch (do dishes, etc.)
1PM- 3:30PM: Clean your apartment, do/ fold laundry, re-organize anything, check in with family and friends, bake, take a nap, rearrange your bedroom or furniture,
3:30PM- 4PM: Snack and browse the internet for dinner ideas, baking recipes, online shopping, movies or shows you want to watch, craft.
4PM- 5PM: Watch 1 episode of television (Great British Bake Off, SVU, Gilmore Girls)
5:30PM- 6PM: Go on a walk around the neighborhood
6PM-7PM: Prep dinner + Dinner
7PM-8PM: Craft time with Cari on IG
8PM-8:30PM: Clean up from crafting
8:30PM- 9PM: Self Care
9PM- Night Snack
9:15PM- 11PM: Movie and down time (Facetime friends, journal, nighttime routine)
11PM- Get in bed and prepare for sleep
SHOWS AND MOVIES
We all have lists and lists full of TV shows and movies that you want to watch but just “never have time too.” I have made a list, it is not that long of shows and movies on Netflix that I have been dying to watch but have not had the ability too. KC and I have started watching a movie each night and we alternate who chooses the movie. It is a fun way to spend our time together and also get to watch things we have both never seen before.
EXERCISE AND OUTSIDE TIME
Everyone is very worried about going outside and they do have a right to be, though right now it is recommended to be active and even to be outside. Also, sitting down all day and being home all day can make you go a bit stir crazy, so it is important to be active and get out there. You can talk a walk around your block or go on a run.
There are also many local work out studios going virtual and you can still use your membership to take the classes that they are offering virtual. There are also a few places at least here in Boston that are offering their classes for free!
305 Fitness has an amazing YouTube channel for your at home workouts!
Down Under Yoga has an online yoga library that is free to stream and you can choose between 15 -90 minutes.
Sweat Fixx has exercises that are broken down by body part. You do need some equipment for these workouts.
Exhale has an on demand app of barre, cardio and yoga. The first 30 days are free!
The Nike Training App is also giving their Premium for free until further notice. You can choose between any workout on the app or choose to do a full program filled with personal training, nutrition advice and some fun video podcasts.
CRAFTS AND PROJECTS
Crafts help keep all people busy, mind and body. I love making crafts that have a purpose that you can use later down the line. Whether you use it for decoration around the home, physical use and as coping skills. I also enjoy the idea of making some stuff and being able to send happy mail to family and friends.
I have decided to come up with a daily craft schedule that will be live videos on Instagram and then posted here on the blog. They will be everyday at 7pm!
Monday: Cardboard Loom Weaving
Tuesday: Tissue Paper Printed Post Cards
Wednesday: Make A Notebook From A Paper Bag
Thursday: The Basics of Crochet
Friday: Cardboard Pom Pom Makers
Saturday: Pour Painting
Sunday: Finger Knit Coasters
Hope to see you there! If you make anything, post it on social media with the #caronahomebody
BOOKS AND PODCASTS
Books and reading are a big part of peoples day, especially those who commute daily and have anywhere between 30 minutes and 2 hours worth of reading each day just in their travel time. Everyone has an at home library and there has to be at least 10 books that you have not read before and have been waiting for the time to do it. Now that you have some downtime in the day, pick those books up and read away. The same honestly goes for podcasts. We all have those podcasts that we listened to the first episode, loved and then completely forgot about. You can have down time with a podcast too. This is your time to get some more knowledge!
SELF CARE
Taking care of yourself is the most important thing here. We are at home because of an illness going around and it is spreading rapidly around the world. We are scared and anxious which can make us more susceptible to illness. We need to take care of ourselves and do things in the day that we can use to help feel more connected to ourselves throughout this time. You can do something for 5 minutes or 30 minutes. Here are some of my faves.
Take a few deep breaths: 5m
Stretch your body: 5m - 20m
Listen to your favorite songs: 5m- forever
Meditate on your purpose: 15m
Read a chapter or two of a book: 15m
Journal your thoughts: 15m
Take a walk outside: 30m
Cook or bake something new: 45m
Get Crafty: 1hr
STAY TUNED
I will be daily posting DIYs on the website and doing a virtual workshop each night at 7pm on IG Live and IG TV. Keep an eye out on the feed and get inspired to make something new.
Hang in there home bodies. We are all doing our best to stay a float and as minimally anxious as possible and that is what we should be doing! XOXO