Stay Zen: tips I have used to overcome stress in a remote work environment

Let me get started by telling you a short personal story: during the period in which I moved from my hometown in Colombia to start a new life and a new job in Italy, stress became an inevitable part of my life. The stress of having to adapt to a new country, a new culture and speak a whole new language affected not only my mental health but also my physical well-being, during the first months I suffered something called "Migratory Grief", anyone that have ever moved from one country to another, from their family house to live independently might resonate with this concept.

In addition to all the "adapting to a new country" stress, came also the "adjusting to a new job" stress, a new job that was 100% remote in an industry that was also new to me (the tech industry); don 't get my wrong I am beyond happy and grateful for all the opportunities I have had to grow personally and professionally, but I admit that it was hard. I believe that starting this new job (In the middle of the pandemic, by the way) working in a remote environment, brought to me challenges that somewhat felt greater. The blurred lines between work and personal life made it difficult to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

In this article, I want to share with you tips that helped me overcome my extra-stressful period and that continue helping me stay zen and persevere my mental health (even if sometimes I still lose it, it's normal).

I am hoping that, by considering these tips, you start taking insights on how to take care of your mental health and navigate difficult periods of time in life.

Tip #1: Practice Mindfulness

I know I know,  it sounds like I am about to tell you that I am a superior being who has reached zen, but it's nothing like that.

Mindfulness is the practice of being present in the moment and fully engaged in what you are doing. What used to happen to me is that I always had my thoughts on something, I could not really stop for a moment and rest my mind, therefore I was a wreck constantly.

What I do is that, as part of my to-do list, I take 15 to 20 minutes a day to sit and do nothing, yes!, just like you are reading it. I would put the timer and for 20 minutes I would sit with yoga music on my headphones and close my eyes.

And, yes, many times my mind keeps running wild, but to manage that I would try to picture color waves moving to the rhythm of the music that I am listening (I know, I am a bit weird sometimes) but It DOES really help me. By the way, this is called Meditating.

Tip #2: Set Boundaries

When working remotely, it can be very challenging to set boundaries between work and personal life. There will be times that I would find myself checking and replying to emails at 11PM on a Friday night (Craaazy🙄).

Setting and respecting boundaries has been essential for me to maintain a healthy work-life balance and reduce stress levels. I tried to establish a designated workspace, setting specific work hours, and avoiding work-related activities outside of those hours, but I know that is not easy for everyone to really "disconnect", so that's why I also pause notifications in Slack, Gmail, and all other related work apps. This is something you can do from the settings on your phone.

Setting boundaries is a bit hard to get used to, because we all have or have had that boss or colleague that has to send emails or requests on a weekend. But, trust me, communicating clear boundaries, will eventually reduce the likelihood of work-related stress outside business hours and create a healthier work environment for you.

Tip #3: Take Breaks 

It might sound silly but when I stand up from my desk and go to check on the washing machine or to water my plants or even to go to the kitchen and think about what I'm eating for lunch, it really does help me to disconnect for a moment and put my head elsewhere. Taking breaks throughout the day is crucial for reducing stress levels and improving productivity. When you take breaks, you give your brain a chance to rest and recharge, which can help you stay focused and motivated.

However, if you are not like me and just don't want to also think about the washing machine during a break, you can take a break a to stretch a bit, go for a walk, or simply take a few minutes to relax (some people like just peeking outside in the balcony and see the sun). Don't forget, anyways, that you must disconnect for a longer time to eat your lunch, please do not eat your lunch in front of the computer.

Tip #4: Stay Connected with your network

Working remotely can sometimes feel isolating. I love working from home but I have also had times in which I’ve felt very lonely at home, this, in the long run can lead to increased stress levels.

So, It's important to stay connected with your network, if your friends or colleagues live near you, try going out with them every once in a while, if this is not your case try scheduling virtual meetings or coffee breaks, participate in online communities, or, like I did,  hit the gym; I signed up for a group course which gave me a chance to meet new people and make new friends which now I treasure very much.

📌 To wrap up 

Feeling stressed is very common for many people, especially if you are starting a new job, switching countries or experimenting with a new work dynamic. However, building a habit where you take time to disconnect, will surely help you overcome and navigate through stressful situations. 

Remember to be persistent, (habits are not created in a day) and to always, always, always prioritize self-care and your precious mental health.

Now it’s your turn to talk, have you ever been in a similar stressful situation? tell us how you have overcome it? I am all eyes!

Thank you for reading, over and out!