Here’s How Yoga Can Take Stress Out of Working From Home

Learning to live with a global pandemic means embracing several new habits to adapt to the realities of the times. Daily walks and jogs have become online fitness classes and instead of travelling to the office, you now start your workday in your living room. Work from home too has become the norm for many employees. As great as it may sound, working from home is not easy, particularly if you are juggling office and household duties. It tends to blur login and logoff timings. And all this stress can take a significant toll on your mental and physical well-being.

International Yoga Day (21 June) is celebrated to delve on the importance of building a holistic life and striking harmony between physical and mental health. You may practice yoga every morning for good health but it is a whole lot more than that. Yoga is a way of life and teaches you to stay calm, even in the most adverse situations. It can help you tackle the challenges of working from home in ways you wouldn’t have thought of. So, we bring you some yoga practices that you can embrace as part of your new normal to not only help you stay fit but ensure a positive outlook too.

Seek Balance

Yog or Yoga is all about balance, whether it’s life or the asanas you practice. This focus on striking balance can come in handy on days when you need to choose between two clashing priorities – attend to work pressure or be there for a loved one. Choosing between the two can cause stress, guilt and frustration. But you can strike a balance between what you want to do and what you need to do. Start by preparing a schedule of daily tasks every day and try ticking as many off the list as you can. It may be difficult at first, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll be knocking down tasks one after the other.

Eat Mindfully

Many people tend to eat meals amid distractions such as the TV, computer or view food as a means of ‘feeling good’. But – what you eat? How much you eat? And how you eat? – are essential questions to consider. According to yoga, mindful eating is all about being in the moment and being aware of the food you are ingesting; focusing on the taste, satisfaction and fullness. This practice will reduce stress and ease digestion, thereby allowing you to maintain a positive mood while working. It also isn’t prudent to either keep yourself hungry or overeat as they can have negative consequences, like causing tiredness and lethargy. So, eat the right amount and try as far as possible to make it a balanced meal.

Follow a Routine

Living a disciplined life, with set timing for routine chores is the foundation of yoga. Following a routine from the moment you wake up till you go to bed is vital for maintaining your body clock and fostering good health. According to research, routine plays a crucial role in maintaining a level of happiness and peace. Therefore, set windows for sleeping, waking up, office work, household chores, exercising, mealtime, recreation and anything else you want to make time for. This practice can help you stay focused and active, and will prevent you from burning out.

Perform Asanas at your Desk

Sitting for long hours at a desk can cause immense strain on your spine, lower back, neck and can result in stiffness in your body. But you can perform a few yoga asanas right at your desk, for a few minutes and without having to move too much. Seated tadasana, desk chaturanga, chair pigeon pose, seated crescent moon pose and wrist and finger stretches are some simple yoga poses that will release the tension built up in your muscles and relieve stress. And since you are working from home, you can practice these asanas without worrying about who’s watching you.

Practice Meditation

Instead of putting your head down in despair or mindlessly scrolling through social media during work breaks, take time to practice simple meditation techniques that can recharge you. You can sit at your desk or move to a quiet corner, close your eyes and focus only on your breathing for a few minutes. If you’re the kind that needs a little encouragement or guidance, listen to audio mediation clips for better results.

Be Present with Others

A large part of yoga is about being in the present. So, try experiencing everything as much as you can; whether it is a client presentation or a conversation with the family. Make every second in the present worthwhile, instead of thinking about things you should have done or what you are going to do. Being in the moment with others can help you develop a stronger bond, and it is something you will certainly appreciate.

The practices may seem like too many, and it could be overwhelming to incorporate them all. So, start small; adopt a new yoga practice and alter your routine gradually in a manner that you are comfortable with. The easier you make it on yourself, the more likely you are to stick with it. So, make yoga a part of your daily life and #DiscoverMore ways to improve the quality of your life and bring happiness and peace to it.