Top 3 Tips for Healthy Sleep Habits When Working Remotely

By: Samantha Fang

 

With the rapid transition to remote learning and working, it can be hard to adjust to these new changes and find balance again while working from home. This can inevitably affect your sleep habits and eventually your productivity and well-being if not addressed. Below are 3 tips for establishing healthy sleep habits when working remotely!

 

Establish a more rigid routine for your days

When working remotely, it can be easy to lose track of our day. It can also be tempting to sleep super late on weekdays and sleep too much on weekends to make up for it. However, this imbalance can cause sleep deprivation when having to wake up early for work or morning lectures and is not the most healthy habit over time. Creating a more rigid routine for your days is key for establishing daily rhythms while staying home. 

 

Try to wake up and go to sleep at around the same time each day and eat meals at regular and consistent times, especially breakfast. It is also important to make time to exercise and stay active. Possibly the easiest way to make sure you don’t lose track of your day is to write a to-do list every morning. This way, you know exactly what your main priorities are for the day and can stay on schedule.

 

 

Make an effort to differentiate your workspace from your rest space

 

When working from home, it can be tempting to wake up, grab your laptop, and sit in bed all day to do your work. However, this tricks your brain into thinking that your bed is for working activities, which may impact your ability to rest and relax later on. If possible, move work to a desk, designated workspace or another room in your home. Making a clear distinction between work and rest will help to establish balance and set boundaries for your personal life and work life. 

Wind down at least an hour before bed

 

Winding down is key for relaxing your body and preparing for rest. It may be useful to establish some type of bedtime ritual for yourself to look forward to each night. This can be something as simple as reading a couple chapters of a book, doing a face mask, or listening to a calming playlist! Dedicate some time to unwinding and taking care of yourself. Another helpful tip when preparing for sleep is turning down the screen brightness on your devices and using blue light filter apps at night.

 

Interested in writing a blog for the Career Development blog? It’s open to Macaulay students and alums. If you would like to contribute or have any questions, feel free to email Jamie.Ruden@mhc.cuny.edu.