Good morning everyone, I read this article from posted by Brain MD and wanted to share it with you. I highly recommend BrainMD.com, their blog has excellent information to help support your mental health all the time, not just right now while things are crazy. Here is the bottom line, (and the underlying thesis of the BrainMD) if we care for our brains they will take better care of us. I hope that you will enjoy this article.

---

Countless lives have been impacted by recent global events. One of the numerous ramifications of the present health crisis is that a significant portion of our nation’s workforce is now conducting business off-site. Many will find the adjustment to working from home to be disorienting, distracting, and isolating. As with any transition, there are pros and cons. There are also positive and negative ways of dealing with the changes. So, how can you make the most of your new work situation? Here are some practical suggestions for how to navigate the work from home life with helpful tips from several BrainMD staff members: Establish a Daily Routine Here are some useful tips from our Digital Marketing Specialist, Jenessa B. These should help you establish a daily routine that will increase productivity while you work from home:

• Wake up early, do a workout/go for a walk, drink tea, get dressed in normal day clothes
• Begin working in your dedicated workspace (in a quiet area of the house)
• Use timers on your phone or computer to remind you of meetings and to complete tasks
• Play your favorite music, nature sounds, or just enjoy the silence
• Drink lots of water while you work to avoid snacking
• Stay connected with the other members of your team every day
• Use the Do Not Disturb feature on your phone to eliminate distractions
• End your workday at your normal time and walk away until the next morning; don’t let work interfere with family/relax time at night

Morning Inspiration There are plenty of early birds in the world and probably an equal number of people who don’t have a coherent thought before noon (or at least until they’ve had a cup of coffee). Either way, if you need some inspiration before facing the challenges of the day, we’ve got you covered… “Watch this video every day before you start work.” – Corey L, Director of Operations (Fair warning, you might need a tissue box handy for this one.) Take a Break If it’s been a while since you’ve gotten up to stretch your legs, take a break. Although it sounds counterintuitive as a time management strategy, research demonstrates that taking a break actually improves focus and efficiency. If you concentrate on a particular task for too long, your cognitive control system can begin to fail. By switching your attention to something else for a brief period, you can return to your original task with renewed focus. “Take breaks in between and use that time to read, meditate, do chores around the house and exercise.” – Christian M, Product Manager Keep Active Depending on how much room you have in your office or cubicle, exercising at work can be a challenge. The good news is, those limitations shouldn’t be a problem when working at home. Here are some home fitness tips from our Digital Marketing Manager, Brian J: “Dedicate a time to just exercise. I have dumbbells by my desk, and I do some curls in between tasks. Then, I do a full workout either at lunch or after I finish for the day. I also go on a daily run.” Dress for Success It’s been suggested that those seeking employment should get up at the same time in the morning and dress the same way they would if they had a job. The same principle holds true for those working from home. When it comes to work, whether on-site or off-site, you should always dress for success. “Change into clothes that make you feel productive, so no sweats or pajamas. And try to model your behavior after how you would in the office.” – Adam S, Marketing Assistant Personal Hygiene Okay, so let’s discuss the delicate issue of personal hygiene. Working from home may make it easier for you to let things slip in this department, especially if you aren’t required to join meetings via video conferencing applications like Zoom or Skype. Grady B, Social Media Coordinator, offers these important reminders on the subject: “Yes, there isn’t anyone to criticize your overall appearance while working from home, but your personal hygiene is still important. Poor personal hygiene habits can lead to some mildly offensive side effects, like body odor and oily skin. Feeling happy with your personal appearance can help boost your overall mood and self-confidence.” Sterile Workplace It’s essential to treat your home office like your business office. That means frequently cleaning your desk and taking out the trash so that things don’t get dusty or pile up. Since anything that comes into the home can affect both your health and livelihood at present, it’s extra important to keep your entire house properly sanitized. One of our graphic designers, Kenn O, shared this video on how to safely bring groceries into your house. Streamline Your Lunchtime If you normally bring your lunch to work, keep up that habit (otherwise, it’s a good idea to start). Preparing your lunch the previous evening will prevent you from wasting a portion of your break on preparation. This will be a precious timesaver if you need to make business calls, set up appointments, pay bills, or just want to kick back with a good book during your lunch break. Or, rather than making lunches one day at a time, set up your entire week’s lunches by doing meal prep over the weekend. Hopefully, these tips will help make your work from home experience more productive and enjoyable. At BrainMD, it’s our sincerest hope that you and yours continue to stay safe and healthy. At BrainMD, we’re dedicated to providing the highest purity nutrients to improve your physical health and overall well-being. For more information about our stress and relaxation products and our full list of supplements, please visit us at BrainMD.

• Author
• Author's Recent Posts

Keith has been a member of the BrainMD team for several years, providing his research and writing talents. Keith is grateful to have the opportunity to write about supplements since many of them have made a dramatic difference in his life. He is often heard around the office saying, “We have supplements for that.”