For some of us, working from home is a pretty significant change in our day-to-day. For me, it can be really hard to remember to take breaks, figure out a routine, and not forget that I can still be social…just…virtually. So, to help anyone else out there struggling to figure out the same balance, here are some things you can do to make telework a little bit easier on the body, mind, and positive spirit.

Use a Filter

Get yourself some blue light filter glasses. All this time on screens can be really tough on your eyes, which can also be tough on your brain, which can also mess with your sleep. Blue light filter glasses help to reduce eye strain, not mess with your internal rhythms, and as a bonus…they add a whole new dimension to your work from home selfies.

Work Ya’ Body

Find a fitness app that helps you sweat at home. I use Sweat or Daily Burn to do a quick workout between calls, before I eat lunch, or as a way to end my workday. It forces me to step away from my computer and email and focus on myself. Yoga is also a great way to keep up your fitness and help avoid muscle soreness from the not-regulation work chairs (*cough* the couch *cough*) I know a lot of us are using. Daily Yoga and Yoga with Adriene both have a wide variety of classes, sun salutations, and guided stretching to ease all your aches and pains and help center your mind and body. Plus, working out gives you endorphins, endorphins make you happy. Happy people don’t lose their minds during quarantine. They just don’t.

Dance It Out

Honestly, this is the most important piece of advice I have to give. Take a minute, pick a song you love, and be like Claire Danes in My So Called Life and DANCE. IT. OUT. It gives your brain a break from screens, work, and THINKING. It will make you laugh either because you feel silly or because you feel awesome. Or both. And, it gets you moving. Some of my current favorite dance it out tunes include (but are not limited to): Lucy Dacus’s cover of Dancing in the Dark, Dancing On My Own (which will always be on any dance playlist I make. Ever. Forever.) by Robyn, Hey by Pixies, and Fill In The Blank by Car Seat Headrest. Dance on, friends. Dance on.

LAUGH

Sometimes you just have to take a minute and watch something that will crack you up. YouTube is always a great place to find videos, and a lot of late night hosts (Jimmy) are creating online content (Stephen) in lieu of new shows (This one made me LOL – The Daily Show). You might also try a 30-minute comedy, especially if you are looking for things to watch throughout the day. Everyone has their favorite, but I would recommend Happy Endings on Hulu, Fleabag on Amazon, or Derry Girls on Netflix. All have made me weep from laughter. Truly.

Hang with Your Pals

You’ve heard plenty of talk about platforms like Zoom, Google Hangout, FaceTime, Microsoft Teams, or Skype for years. They are really being put to the test during this time of telework, and they should. But video calls don’t have to be work only. You can have virtual watch parties, virtual spa days, virtual first dates… if you can name it, you can do it over a video call. And you should. Getting to see your friends and their shining faces is good for your overall mental health, and, frankly, it is FUN! You can even join the App Association in moving our traditional FABIO (Friday Afternoon Beer in Office) to home. We fondly refer to it now as FABIHO (Friday Afternoon Beer in Home Office).

Now go forth, my friends, and treat yourself, and each other, well. And dance it out. SERIOUSLY.

Let us know how you are handling this time of telework on Twitter or Instagram. Tag us with @actmembers or @actonline respectively. “See” you on the interwebs!