Amid the pandemic, many of us have made the abrupt shift to working from home. At first, you think it's ideal; you wake up and start your day with no commute; you get to wear your most comfortable clothes (or stay in your PJ), and you can finally avoid the lunch hour crowd.
However, after working from home, you find the line between work and life getting thinner and thinner. You're probably finding yourself sluggish and sleepy much more than you usually do, but you won't know why. After all, you're "just" sitting at home on zoom calls. Turns out working from home isn't easy, and it can get really disruptive if you don't take the proper measures to keep your sleep health a priority. Here are some tips to improve your sleep quality and be more productive:
Tip 1: Keep A Regular Sleep Schedule
Working remotely can lead to an erratic schedule; this leads to a lack of sleep and causes fatigue. One way to make your experience working from home more comfortable and convenient would be to stay on top of your sleep schedule by going to bed and waking up at fixed times. If you really want to sleep in, use the extra time you saved from commuting to work to do so!
Tip 2: Avoid Caffeine 6 Hours Before Bed
Coffee is an important part of many people’s morning routines. Studies have shown the use of caffeine may lead to a temporary reduction in sleep quality. If you want to stop tossing and turning all night long, avoid caffeine 6 hours before bedtime to ensure a good night's sleep. So if you go to bed at 11pm, stop your caffeine intake at 5pm.
Tip 3: Create A Dedicated Zone For Work
Avoid using your bedroom as your remote workplace. Your room is a haven for relaxation. If you bring work into that environment, your brain and body may associate it with productivity, making sleeping more difficult. Instead, consider spaces like the living room or guest bedroom to be your dedicated working space.
