CloudM | Maintaining Health and Wellbeing in a Hybrid Working world

On the 23rd of March 2020, our lives changed forever, and the future of digital working shifted. Now, two years on, the lines of work/life balance still remain more blurred than ever. Within our company culture, we are outspoken, year-round, about the physical and mental wellbeing of our staff, and today, on world health day, we wanted to share our top tips for managing your health and wellbeing whilst working from home.

The 2 W’s

The first W is water. Though it can be tempting (and sometimes more comforting) to chug down caffeine by the gallon, drinking water can help you feel refreshed and healthier while you’re working. There have also been studies into how water has calming qualities for the human mind and is specifically helpful for those experiencing any form of anxiety.

The second W is walking. Whether that’s a walk around your living space, a walk around the block, or a long walk to the nearest park, walking has been proven to improve self-perception, mood, and sleep quality.

Breaks

Whether you’re in the office or working from home, there are two important types of breaks you should be taking. The first is the short sort that you take at work between tasks. While your work contract might stipulate a specific number of minutes for your break during the day, many mental health advocates say that building a routine of short breaks during the day is important. The number varies, some say that you should take 2-5 minutes for every 25 minutes of hard work, and some say every 90 minutes. Ultimately, it is what works best for you, but make sure you are taking breaks away from your desk, even if it’s just to boil the kettle.

The second type of important break is the long one. Use your holiday time and use it well. Take a long weekend every now and then to utilize important downtime to stay grounded and looked after, whether you’re playing video games, catching up on some reading, or enjoying your quality time, spend your time off switching off.

Affirmations & Positive Relationships

Implement positive affirmations and confidence in your speech. If you notice that you’re putting yourself down, remind yourself of all the wonderful qualities you have. Another great way to enforce those positive affirmations is to spend time building a good report with your colleagues.

While it’s important to keep a good work/life balance, having peers you can rely on within the work setting can be a really helpful tool if you ever find yourself struggling. Whether you’re chatting at your desk or reaching out to a colleague over your digital workplace, build a solid support network for yourself.

Talking

Working from home over a digital workplace or in the office both come with their own set of challenges, but one thing they have in common is that sometimes, in these environments, it can feel difficult to reach out for help if you need it.

Never be afraid to reach out, whether it is to a manager, a friend, or a counselor, it is really important to seek out help when you are feeling overwhelmed or down. Sometimes, just getting the weight off your chest can make a monumental difference to your human experience. There are people who want to listen to you.

Firm Boundaries

It’s very important to set boundaries. For instance, if you’re struggling with your workload, it is okay (and important) to say I’m sorry, I can’t take that on. My workload is at capacity. And it’s equally okay to reach out to a colleague and ask for help. The same applies to your personal life too.

Thinking larger than that, if you’re working from home and need some separation, make sure you have a separate space in your home for your digital workspace so you can physically leave the space you’re working in.

Hybrid Working Preferences

If the business you work for offers hybrid working, we recommend taking advantage of that perk. Building a healthy routine and making the most of benefits like that can make a huge difference to your health. Having the flexibility to choose when to work from home and in the office can make work fit around your home life.

People have a wide variety of personal circumstances that they carry with them into work. Many companies now embracing hybrid working have more empathetic working cultures that allow for flexibility and trust for their employees.

With all that being said, if you’re working from home, in the office, or with a business that offers hybrid or flexible working for its employees, it’s important to take steps towards proactive wellness. Looking after your health, in this world where the lines of work/life balance are becoming more blurred, is paramount.

If you’re a business in search of building a more flexible working culture, or if you’re interested in making the most of your digital workplace, get in touch with our team of experts today.