The Importance of Self-Care for Remote Workers in South Africa

Working remotely has become increasingly popular over recent years as technological advances and changing work culture enable businesses to offer more flexibility to their employees. As a result, there are now more South Africans than ever relying on remote working for professional stability and career progression. While the rewards of remote working in terms of time and financial flexibility can be great, the challenges it presents can be equally demanding, particularly when it comes to looking after our mental health and overall wellbeing. Being in charge of our own time and productivity can be a liberating experience, but it’s also essential to take time for a few simple, self-care practices to prevent burnout and make sure you stay in the best physical and psychological shape for work.

Start with a positive attitude

The most important factor when it comes to successful remote working is to approach it with the right mind-set. Many of us start out with ambitious goals that are difficult to keep up, such as constantly working late into the night to prove our worth or absolving the guilt of taking a break by working through lunch. This can put a huge strain on our physical and mental health, and often result in burnout shortly after. Instead, start off with a positive attitude, setting realistic and achievable goals, and giving yourself regular breaks throughout the day.

Set up a designated workspace

Creating an environment that’s comfortable and conducive to productivity can have a huge impact on your state of mind and help you stay focused throughout the day. Whether you choose to create a designated working space at home or opt for a local office space is completely up to you, but the important thing is to make sure you’re comfortable, have all the hardware and software you need, and can work without too many distractions.

Make time for physical activity

Being physically active can have a huge benefit to our mental health, releasing endorphins that make us feel happy and motivated. It can also be excellent for breaking up the day and helping us tackle difficult tasks with more vigor. Even if you’re unable to dedicate a large portion of your day to exercise, there are still plenty of ways to sneak a few physical activities throughout the day. Simple tricks such as taking a phone call while walking around the block, or scheduling one outdoor activity such as walking the dog in the morning, can make a huge difference.

Focus on a healthy diet

Just like physical activity, a balanced and nutritious diet is essential for keeping up with our mental health. Vending machines (or your fridge) can seem like an easy solution when lunchtime rolls around, but if you don’t have a regular routine to ensure you’re getting enough of the right nutrients, you can soon find yourself deficient in essential vitamins and minerals. Many South African super markets now provide a range of ready-made meals and snacks that are quick and easy to prepare, meaning you can still fill your lunch break with delicious food without having to worry about slaving over the kitchen stove.

Take regular mental health breaks

Even with a positive attitude and set routines, it can sometimes feel like a struggle to remain balanced and focussed during the workday. Taking regular breaks from the computer is essential to maintain a healthy job satisfaction, and can go a long way toward preventing stress and burnout. Set yourself a few simple goals for the day and reward yourself for completing them by taking five minutes for a warm cup of coffee, a brief walk around the block, or a refreshing music break. Anything you do that allows you to take your mind away from work can make all the difference in terms of your mental focus, even if it’s only for a few minutes.

Reach out to your network

For many of us who work remotely, the lack of interaction with others can be a large cause of stress and loneliness. For this reason, it’s incredibly important to reach out to your friends and professional networks, even if it’s just for a few minutes. The South African professional community is incredibly tight-knit, so there are usually plenty of opportunities through workplace forums, meet-up groups and social clubs to connect with other remote workers and discuss concerns that are relevant to only us.

Train your body clock

Successful remote working is often about training our body clock to a new schedule and making sure we don’t procrastinate away our productive hours of the day. For this reason, it’s also important to establish a dedicated sleeping schedule, going to bed and waking up at the same time each day, and avoiding activities such as late-night television and social media that can affect sleep patterns.

QikTruck and the Future of Goods Transportation.

When it comes to getting goods to where they’re needed, remote workers have a unique challenge of finding a reliable supplier. This can mean hours of searching for quotes, comparing prices and trying to coordinate with multiple third-parties for pickup and delivery. Thanks to the innovation of on-demand services such as QikTruck, remote workers in South Africa now have access to goods transportation services that are reliable, cost-effective and fast. QikTruck offers a secure platform for booking, tracking and managing delivery all from one website, making goods transportation hassle-free and convenient for even the busiest remote worker. From a few documents to a full truck, QikTruck is the perfect solution for getting goods to their destination on time and on budget. With competitive prices and reliable services, it’s the ideal way for remote workers in South Africa to get goods transportation without spending hours searching for the right quotes. Get goods to where they need to go with QikTruck and make transportation as easy as a few simple clicks. Visit the website today and find out more about how we help remote workers in South Africa get goods to where they need to go.

 

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