My Calendar Is Still Packed Even Though I'm Working From Home — Here's What I Do to Wind Down After Logging Off

The adjustment to working from home has definitely taken some time to get used to for most people — I know it has for me. Whether you're still logging on or are generally finding yourself with more time on your hands, it's more essential than ever that we pay attention to both our physical health and mental health, and prioritize practices that help maintain a healthy balance.

If you are still working while at home, it's easy to get sucked into sitting in front of your computer for much longer than you would if you were in an office, so it's important to find ways to turn off your work brain and do something to wind down once you log off. If you can, start by setting a time when you're going to be officially finished for the day, whether that's 5 p.m., or 10 p.m., or anywhere in between. Then, you can focus on reconnecting with yourself and doing something that's going to help you find a work-life balance, even when both are taking place in the same space.

Keep reading to find out the activities that help me stay sane after sitting in front of a computer for eight hours, and hopefully you are able to find some inspiration while taking care of yourself.

Whether it's reading a book, listening to a podcast, or taking a few minutes to journal, the most important thing for me after sitting in front of a computer all day is getting off a screen completely. I like to put my phone on silent or leave it in another room to give myself at least an hour away from blue light — and the news.

There's nothing quite like the unconditional love of a pet — there's so much joy that can be found just by snuggling with your fur baby. My dog is always up for a game of fetch or tug of war or just some belly rubs. Plus, I'm using this work from home time to foster another puppy, which has been such a rewarding experience. If you are able to bring an animal in need into your home while you're at home 24/7, definitely consider reaching out to your local shelter or rescue organizations!

Cleaning and disinfecting your home has become even more important now than ever before — providing a clean space for ourselves and those we live with is a must. But beyond being a good habit to get into, I've found that taking the time to tackle one part of my house at a time and being super methodical about cleaning has become sort of like a form of meditation — plus, when I know my space is clean I can really start to relax. The same goes for organization, from my junk drawer, to my bookshelf, to my living room setup. When it comes to cleaning and disinfecting my home, I always turn to my trusted Clorox® cleaning products because they kill 99.9 percent of germs and leave my home impeccably clean. It gives me that coveted peace of mind I need after a long day in front of the computer.

Breathwork, called pranayama in yoga, really helps me both to cool down and to feel energized depending on the sequence. It's a great way to focus your brain only on controlling your breathing in different ways, instead of thinking about all the stressors of the day. There are tons of free videos of guided breathwork online, and if you have a regular meditation or yoga practice at a favorite studio, check to see if they've put some virtual classes up on their website.

I'm lucky enough to have a small backyard that always requires some sprucing up, so after working all day, it feels great to go out there and get my hands a little dirty. I know it sounds a little crazy that raking leaves and weeding is a soothing activity, but hey! It works. If you don't have a yard, spend some time tending to houseplants or just doing some type of physical labor — maybe you repaint a wall, DIY some furniture, or whatever floats your boat. If you're self isolating with kids, this is a great way to come together and do something as a family, and plants are the perfect way to start teaching your kids about caring for another living thing.

I pretty much always do a few-minute face massage every night before bed after all my products have been applied, but in this era of having so much time on our hands, I've taken to actually sitting down and doing an extended massage. Many facialists and estheticians have posted tutorials on their Instagram or YouTube that you can follow along with as well — even if you don't have tools like a gua sha stone or jade roller. Not only is it super relaxing, but it also promotes blood flow and skin elasticity. When you actually do go back to the office, you'll be glowing!