How to battle work-from-home exhaustion

For many, working from home is now commonplace. While some people have moved back into the office, others have chosen to keep their new WFH schedules or at least some hybrid form of them. The thing is, lots of us are feeling exhausted even working from home, and there are some really valid reasons for this. At home, we aren't pushed to take breaks or take moments out to chat with coworkers, and we're missing out on that commute time to nap, read, relax, or just listen to some upbeat music to push us through the day.

If you're finding your WFH days lagging and in need of an energy boost, there are some things you can do to stave off sleepiness and find your motivation again. So before you find yourself nodding off at the computer once again, read through these tips to help you find the right balance when working from home.

Set up a morning routine

The commute we used to take to work each day was a time for waking up and getting in the right headspace for work -- so too was showering, brushing your teeth, and even doing your hair and putting on makeup. Working from home doesn't necessarily require any of these things, but you could still do them. Getting back into a routine will help wake you up and put you in the right mood for a day of staying focused.

While you won't actually be driving or taking public transportation anywhere, you can still wake up more than five minutes before you start your work shift and take a shower, do your hair and makeup, and perhaps even fit in some time for a morning meditation. Keeping a routine can reduce the stress in your life. That means that keeping that morning routine even when you don't have to leave the house to go to work can be beneficial to your health.

Get some fresh air

Fresh air can do wonders when you need a pick-me-up. I find a nice walk outside is a big mood lifter, especially when the sun is shining. When you're feeling overwhelmed with a work project, get outside.

Whether you live in the city or the country, a brisk walk outside (even if it's cold out) can help you wake back up. The movement gets your blood flowing. Plus, if you sit for work, getting some exercise in during the workday can have even more health benefits. Take a 10-minute break at least a couple of times a day -- the fresh air and sunshine (if it's out) will do you good, and it may be just what you need to make it to the end of your shift.

Schedule breaks and meals

Most of the time when you work outside of the home you have someone who comes to relieve or dismiss you for your lunch break -- but you don't have that at home. There's nobody there to remind you to take your lunch, and you really shouldn't skip that healthy meal in the middle of your day because it comes with the nutrients that will give you an energy boost to get through the second half of your shift. Another downfall of the WFH life is that we may find ourselves grabbing snacks that aren't healthy and may even be contributing to our afternoon crash and workday slump.

Be sure to pick foods that are healthy and will boost your energy, like fruits, vegetables, and even lean meats. A nice fresh salad is sure to fill your tummy and give you the energy you need to finish your workday without falling asleep at your desk.

Get help with distractions

If you have kids, especially little ones, or pets, you may be experiencing added stress and exhaustion while working from home. Cat owners know that cats love hanging out on computers and dogs require all the attention whenever you're home. If you have pets that are free to roam the house, we highly suggest that you have your home office in a room where you can shut out the pets for more focus and less distraction. As far as dogs go, perhaps enlist someone else who is at home during your work schedule to take them out when they need to go for a walk.

Kids can be shut out of the room too, but younger children need supervision. If you're the only one at home with them during work, find ways to distract them -- toys for little ones may keep them busy for small periods, at least. You may want to hire a babysitter to come in during your work hours like you would if you were working away from home.

Open the shades

Interestingly enough, it appears that women are more susceptible to fatigue than men are, and one way you can help get your circadian rhythm back on track, especially when sunshine eludes you, is by investing in some light therapy. Of course, if you can set your home office up in a room with natural light, do it. Natural light will not only naturally boost your mood and productivity, but it will save you money on electricity and make it easier to see what you're working on.

If you decide to invest in a light therapy lamp of some sort, be sure to do a little research to find a safe one, especially if you have kids running around. Some lamps can cause damage to your eyes if you look directly into the light. Light therapy is also known to help people get better sleep at night, and the better you sleep, the more chipper and energetic you'll be during your workday.