Five Simple Ways to Jazz Up Your WFH Routine…
Ten months, six days, five hours and some change into this quarantine thing, most of us are experiencing a SERIOUS case of WFH fatigue and burn-out. As the pandemic continues to rage in full force, staying at home has become a way of life for those of us who have the privilege of being able to work from home. And while immensely grateful for that privilege, feeling trapped stuck at home comes with its own share of hardships. Namely? Like feeling stuck in the worst version ever of Ground Hog Day.
So, if you, like us, are in dire need of infusing some much-needed energy into your WFH routine, look no further. We’ve spent the last week experimenting with some simple yet highly effective ways to switch up our routines and reconnect with our inner bad-asses.
Swap those sweats and leggings for something a bit more sophisticated…
Just because we’re living in a time where we roll out of bed and exchange our night pajamas for our day pajamas doesn’t mean that you can’t up your game. Elegant, high-quality loungewear and pajamas are all the rage these days. As they should be. After all, why should fashion only be reserved for what we wear out and about? We’re big fans of brands like Lunya and KIM + Ono that offer beautiful silk pieces that are sexy, yet functional and comfortable. Trust us when we say, you’ll enjoy looking and feeling like the grown woman you are.
Make a Down-Time List…
A recent Self article suggests making a list of all the things that you enjoy doing and would like to do when you have some free time. We took it a step further and made lists of things we’d always wanted to try but never had the time to when we were commuting to and from work every day. The goal? To try something new and exciting at least once a week. Making the list was incredibly fun, in and of itself, and included things like, “Take a (virtual) sushi-making class… Hike a new trail in a different part of the city…Grab take-out from that cool restaurant on the other side of town.” The best part about making the list? It reminded us that we still have so much to look forward to.
Have a designated glam day…
Now, we don’t fault anyone for ditching their stuffy work clothes and completely embracing leggings and/or pjs for most days of the week. But, if you’re in need of a change from the norm, why not take a tip from influencer and public health professional, Dr. Ijeoma Kola? She recently took the idea of pre-pandemic Casual Friday’s and began dressing up one day a week just for the heck of it. We think it’s a splendid and easy idea to start incorporating into our weekly routines. In fact, we took it a step further by spritzing on perfume, adding a pop of color to our lips (something that we really miss now that facemasks have become the norm), and slipping on a cute pair of heels that hadn’t seen the light of day since the pandemic started.The confidence boost was instantaneous. And while we don’t have any hard stats, we’re pretty sure our productivity went up several notches.
Commune with Mother Nature…
This is perhaps the easiest, yet most overlooked, change that you can make. And it’s easy to see why. Juggling work, personal, and family obligations all day can make it seemingly impossible to take just a few minutes to get outside and get moving. But it’s critical that you make time and make time regularly to experience the great outdoors. Whether it’s a quick walk around the block during the usual afternoon slump or relaxing for a few minutes in the backyard, taking the time to breathe in some fresh air and feel the sun on your skin is rejuvenating and an oh-so- simple way to relieve stress.
Switch up your scenery…
One of the hardest things about being cooped up in the house 24/7 is the sheer monotony of it all. Staring at the same four walls day in and day out is a great way to go crazy. So, we suggest taking advantage of the Work-From-Hotel packages that many local hotels now offer. International chains like Hyatt, Marriott, and Hilton now offer packages specifically designed for the needs of remote workers. For example, Hyatt offers an “Office for the Day” package where remote workers can reserve a room for as low as $65 for a 12-hour stint and provides access to business amenities such as a printer and scanner. For those looking for more of a work-cation, luxury hotels like Boston’s Four Seasons Hotel One Dalton Street offer overnight packages that provide a real office set-up (printer, scanner, keyboard, monitor, premium WiFi) along with early check-in, and a 5-pm check-out. And while we’ll never complain about the opportunity to live it up in a fancy hotel, we also think it’s the perfect way to “get away” safely and responsibly.