9 mins read
Since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a global pandemic, companies have taken a proactive approach to ensure the safety of their employees. They have quickly transitioned their staff who handle administrative, customer service, and other work positions that can be done remotely to work from home settings. This change has been a remarkable demonstration of adaptability and resilience. Despite the challenges, employees have shown remarkable dedication to their work and have continued to provide critical services to customers.
I feel incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to work from home for five years prior to the pandemic. This experience has allowed me to develop habits that keep me physically and mentally healthy while working remotely. While the transition to working from home during the pandemic was challenging, I was able to apply these habits every morning to ensure I accomplished something before and during work hours, avoiding procrastination and laziness.
Some people tend to overlook or neglect the importance of certain habits, assuming that they are common sense and already a part of their daily routine. However, these habits might be avoided due to the individual’s preference to remain in their comfort zone. To improve your morning routine, here are some habits you may want to consider:
· Make the bed.
William H. McRaven, a former member of the U.S. Navy SEALs, believes that making your bed first thing in the morning and setting small goals is essential. The military taught them to make their bed before doing anything else, and this helped them start their day off on the right foot. By accomplishing this simple task, they were able to feel good about themselves and tackle bigger challenges with confidence. Remember, even the small things can make a big difference in achieving your goals.
Making your bed neatly is important, even if it’s not at the level of military perfection.
So, make sure to make your bed every day!
· Drink water.
Drinking water first thing in the morning on an empty stomach is one of the best things you can do for your health. Our body goes into fasting mode during sleep, which can result in dehydration when we wake up. That’s why it’s crucial to hydrate your body by drinking water before anything else. By making this simple habit a part of your daily routine, you can experience numerous health benefits. From improving your skin, hair, and metabolism to strengthening your immune system, the advantages are endless. Drinking water in the morning can also increase your red blood cell count and flush out toxins from your body, leading to weight loss and reduced risk of kidney stones and heartburn. So, don’t wait any longer to start taking care of your health. Make sure to drink water first thing in the morning and feel the difference it can make in your life!
https://www.medicinenet.com/why_is_drinking_water_in_the_morning_so_important/article.htm
· Morning stretch
Do you often feel stressed, experience body stiffness, or feel heavy? If so, stretching can help you immensely. It is an effective way to loosen your muscles, increase flexibility, and improve overall physical health. Here are some of the many benefits of stretching that you should be aware of:
– Reduces stress levels: Stretching helps release tension in your muscles and calms your mind, which reduces stress levels and promotes relaxation.
– Improves body posture: Stretching can fix your body posture by correcting muscle imbalances and aligning your spine.
– Enhances circulation: Stretching increases blood flow throughout your body, delivering essential nutrients and oxygen to your muscles.
– Prevents injury: Regular stretching helps prevent muscle strains, sprains, and other injuries, especially when combined with proper warm-up exercises.
– Improves range of motion: Stretching can help increase your range of motion, making it easier to perform various physical activities and exercises.
– Increases flexibility: Stretching makes your muscles more flexible, allowing you to move more freely and easily.
Stretch22, a leading authority on stretching, emphasizes the importance of incorporating stretching into your daily routine. Don’t underestimate the power of stretching in achieving overall physical wellness.
· Wash, Brush, and Dress
Wash your face and body daily –
Working from home can lead to feeling lethargic and lacking motivation, to the extent that you may wake up feeling disinterested in taking care of yourself. It’s a good idea to cultivate a habit of waking up at least 30 minutes before starting work, so you can make your bed, hydrate yourself, and incorporate other habits you wish to include in your daily routine.
It is recommended to wash your face regularly, especially if your skin is prone to acne or oily. Washing your face in the morning can be beneficial for your facial health (Hui, Feb 2024). Please note that I am not a dermatologist, so it’s best to seek professional advice for your skin health.
Brushing your teeth –
It’s important to brush your teeth twice a day, regardless of whether you do it before or after breakfast. However, dental hygienist Madison Kaplan suggests brushing after breakfast to ensure you remove any food remaining in your mouth that can cause cavities. In a marketing book I read (possibly “This is Marketing” by Seth Godin), there was a discussion about the film you feel on your teeth when you run your tongue over them. This film indicates that it’s time to brush your teeth, and this strategy was used to promote toothpaste and encourage people to maintain a clean and healthy mouth.
If you’re working from home, it can be difficult to establish a solid routine, and you may only brush your teeth before going to bed or leaving the house. Personally, I believe that the sensation and fragrance of a freshly brushed mouth are quite satisfying. Many of you might relate to this pleasant feeling, which is the result of regular and thorough brushing.
Get dress daily –
As a remote worker, it’s important to remember that staying in your pajamas all day can harm your productivity and motivation levels. While it might save time, water, and soap, it’s not worth the negative impact it can have on your work.
To ensure that you’re in the right mindset for work, I recommend wearing comfortable clothes that are still appropriate for office meetings and can be worn outside when necessary. This will help you feel more confident and professional while working remotely.
If you’re unsure of what to wear, take a look at these examples for inspiration. Remember, taking care of yourself and your appearance is crucial to being a successful remote worker.
· Prepare your meals
As you work remotely, although it’s easy to just reach for food since you are close to the kitchen, it is advisable to prep your meals beforehand to ensure a balanced and proper meal throughout the day.
According to Harvard, meal prepping can help save money, save time, help with weight control as you decide the ingredients and portions served, contribute to an overall more nutritionally balanced diet, and reduce stress as you avoid last-minute decisions about what to eat or rushed preparation.
Before the pandemic, I had a small business where I provided meal prepping services for busy people who wanted to eat healthy. It was amazing to see how much time, energy, and money my clients saved since they didn’t have to cook themselves, and no food went to waste. I also noticed that my meal prepping helped my clients lose weight. It’s a great way to enjoy healthy meals without spending a lot of money, and it offers a lot of benefits.
So, consider adding it to your routine once or twice a week. Don’t forget to add your favorite drinks and deserts.
· Read for 20 minutes daily
Feeling stuck and stagnant in your job? I know how it feels. Working from home for nearly seven years, I reached a point where I was no longer growing. My responsibilities became repetitive and unchallenging. But I found a solution – reading daily. According to Maxwell, the key to success is to keep educating yourself (KEY).
So, if you’re not a reader, start with just five minutes a week and gradually increase it until you become a book lover. You’ll be amazed at how much you can learn from a book. And remember, it’s essential to apply what you learn to your life.
· Start Journaling
Whether you prefer to write in the morning or at night, it is best to jot down your thoughts in a notebook. Write your goals and dreams and map out the direction you want your life to take. Whenever you think of something, write it down. If you are feeling worried or anxious, just pour it out on paper. Don’t waste your time stressing about things you can’t control; instead, write down the things that you can. You’ll be amazed at how many ideas you can come up with, and perhaps, with those ideas, you can create a business or plan for a new career.
Seven years ago, I started journaling and writing down where I wanted to be in life. I wrote down my goals to have a place to live, a stable career, to bring my son back from the Philippines, and to graduate from college with a bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration. I visualized where I wanted to be, devised a plan, and took action. I am happy to say that I have achieved my five-year goals and am now working towards my next set of goals.
Think of journaling as your map to success. It will guide you to your destination, and help you get to where you want to be.
Here are some morning habits that you may find helpful if you’re working from home. You probably already do most of these things every day, but some you might forget to do at times. It is important to establish a routine that begins with your basic needs when working from home. I hope this list of morning habits and routine helps you. Please let me know what you think about these tips and if you find them useful.