Throughout 2020, the coronavirus pandemic significantly changed the way we live our day-to-day lives. As restrictions tighten, and we’re all forced to spend more time at home, this single space is having to serve as everything from a DIY gym to an at-home office. As a result, the line between work and leisure is becoming blurred, with many of us struggling to properly switch off and rest. Sometimes, all you need to unwind and recharge is to disconnect from the world around you for a while – even if it’s as little as 30 minutes a day.
However, with many of us also homeschooling children, sharing “office” space with partners, and generally trying to get by in crowded living spaces, it’s no wonder we’re finding it increasingly hard to relax. You have to learn how to rest at home, and it’s here that the wonder of popping in some earplugs should not be underestimated! Beyond that, below you will find some simple yet effective tips that can be applied to all our daily routines.
Schedule designated rest time
Regardless of whether you are a student, worker, parent, or otherwise, setting aside time for yourself is really important. With everyone in the household under the same strain, it’s important you all appreciate the value of time to unwind, doing the things that make you happy. Boosting your mood and bringing a smile to your face in this way will have a big ripple effect throughout your day – and the day of those around you – leaving everyone with greater physical and mental strength to face the tasks that lie ahead.
Allow yourself to actually rest!
Setting aside the time to rest isn’t enough; you have to actually do it! Close your laptop, put down your textbooks, switch off your phone, and enjoy some much-needed respite from the buzz of constant connectivity. Your attitude towards the value of rest as a daily ritual is extremely important in this respect. Consider it with the same regard as you would time set aside for study, work, or family. After all, without proper rest, you will not be able to perform efficiently in any of these other areas. Indeed, many who gave themselves permission to rest properly noted that it improved their ability to focus, thus boosting their productivity throughout the rest of the day.
Remember, working from home does not mean you are no longer entitled to a private life. By having rest and relaxation time factored into your routine, it remains far easier to separate the different aspects of your day, stopping work from taking over.
In the daily grind, it is enough if you can find even 30 minutes for a relaxing activity. Whether it’s reaching for a book, going for a walk in the fresh air, taking a soothing bath, listening to your favorite music, or simply lying down in solitude, allow your rest time to absorb you completely!
Calm down – reach for earplugs
The world is a distracting place, now more than ever. So, when you’re feeling strained or overwhelmed, it will do you good to cut yourself off from your surroundings. For this purpose, you can turn to earplugs. When used properly, they can protect you from background noise, and grant you the peace of mind you need to rest. There are many options available, including disposable foam earplugs for those who prioritize convenience, and universal reusable plugs for the more environmentally conscious.
Many companies, including ours, also specialize in the production of custom-made earplugs. These are premium products that perfectly match the shape of your ears. So, as you can see, there really is something to suit everyone’s needs.
Turn off your devices
We can all fall prey to so-called “doom scrolling”, when we find ourselves stuck in an endless cycle of depressing news updates. This is why it’s important to step away from our devices (and perhaps even mute notifications) every now and then. After all, how relaxed can you really feel when you’re constantly refreshing your inbox or scrambling to keep up on social media?
The TV is equally as unconducive to relaxation. During the day, most of us already spend a lot of time staring at a computer monitor. This emits blue light (similar to the screens on our TVs and smartphones), which can cause our eyes to strain. It’s for this reason that our eyes need to rest as much as our minds and bodies once we’ve completed work.
Spend weekends with loved ones
When the working week draws to a close, it is more than okay to embrace total laziness, devoting at least one day a week to doing nothing of significance. By taking care of any errands or necessary household chores on one day of the weekend, you free up another whole day to forget about work and grown-up responsibilities, allowing you to focus on enjoying time with loved ones instead.
If you live by yourself, or simply value alone time, spend this lazy day indulging your own favorite things. Whatever it is that helps you to rest and refuel, the most important thing is that you give yourself permission to enjoy it!
