by Clarissa Hartley

Working from home has become the new norm but it doesn’t come without its set of hurdles – intermittent internet, feeling isolated, losing track of time, and working late nights. Here are six calming strategies to bust stress and increase productivity in your work from home setup.

1. Dive into a Good Book

In the incessant saga of news and Netflix, carve out a space in your daily routine to read a book. Ignite your imagination and escape the pressures of work. Reading not only improves mental focus but also alleviates midday brain fog. So, keep your phone away, find a peaceful spot, and make reading your preferred lunchtime activity.

2. Seek Nature’s delight

A change of scenery is like a breath of fresh air for your brain. Be it a park, a lake, or simply gazing out your window into a beautiful skyline – the sensory experiences of nature put you in a relaxed state, helping you connect with the world beyond your workdesk.

3. Explore the Power of Yoga

Flush out the temptation to sink into your couch by embracing online yoga classes or home workouts. Discover the revitalizing potential of a midday yoga break. It turns the lights off on work worries and lights up your inner strength. If yoga feels new to you, start with gentle Vinyasa classes. Device-free yoga studios offer hands-on guidance for beginners with dynamic power-boosting sessions for the advanced.

4. Try Meditating

You don’t need to be a yogi to practice meditation. Mindfulness is a simpler form of meditation that can be practiced at any quiet corner or even during your daily walks. Focus on your breathing pattern and observe your surroundings. It will help shed off stress and quieten any anxious thoughts. Alternatively, explore apps which offer guided meditation sessions.

5. Channel creativity

Mandala adult coloring-in books, now widely used for stress relief, is another meditative art form. The mandalas, with their circular shapes, have a calming effect on the mind and stimulate your creative abilities. Switch off from work, pick up your color pens, and get drawn into the tranquil world of mandalas.

6. Pen down your thoughts

Letter writing, though fading away, has a therapeutic effect. Send out letters or postcards to loved ones and experience how it uplifts your mood significantly. Let the joy of connecting and communicating through handwritten words become your stress-busting secret weapon.

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