The second wave of coronavirus is forcing renewed lockdowns. The new restrictions mean that more and more people will be working from home. It’s nearly impossible to avoid imposing telework in the months to come as the virus continues to spread at an alarming rate. Remote work isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Besides the lack of motivation and lack of a good working environment, it’s worth mentioning the impact on sleep quality. Those who are already telecommuting claim that they’ve found their sleep patterns disrupted, either having difficulty falling asleep or being unable to wake up in the morning.
Ways in which working from home can affect your sleep
If you’re not used to remote work, you might find it difficult to adjust to the situation. There is no place to go, which makes it difficult to maintain a daily schedule and routine. It’s necessary to place boundaries between work and life. Most importantly, you must avoid working beyond regular hours. If you’re a parent, telecommuting allows you to carry out your responsibilities since your kids aren’t old enough to take care of themselves. And you can enjoy spending time with your kids. However, it’s necessary to have a solid plan in place.
Getting back on topic, working from the comfort of your home eliminates the need for bedtime and wake up time because you don’t have to travel anymore. You’re tempted to stay up late, which affects your sleep. You don’t catch enough Z’s at night. What is more, your body enjoys consistency. The effects of not getting quality sleep are stress, obesity, and heart diseases. It’s important to get back to a good night’s sleep. Life has changed considerably for many of us due to social distancing, but that’s not an excuse to lose precious sleep.
How to get better sleep while working from home
It’s quite simple, actually. If you want to get a good night’s rest, you must maintain a daily routine. Keep in mind that the human body is controlled by an internal clock and environmental cues. Stick to your working hours as much as possible and avoid the temptation of bringing electronics into the bedroom. Drinking caffeine late in the afternoon will undoubtedly cause sleep problems. Most importantly, replace your mattress for the best sleep. A comfy mattress promotes better sleep, so getting a new one is the best thing you can do for your health. The type of mattress you need depends on personal preference.
Whatever you do, don’t toss and turn in bed. If you find it impossible to fall asleep in the first 20 minutes, go into another room and do something. You can stretch for a couple of minutes. When you get back to bed, you’ll already be sleepy. Staying awake in bed isn’t a good idea because it can lead to chronic insomnia. Take your mind off troubling thoughts and try deep breathing. Inhale through the nose for a few seconds and exhale completely.
