Working from home during the wintertime can be extremely convenient. Not only can you avoid dealing with the frigid morning air, not having to clean inches of snow off your car, or leaving work when it’s pitch black outside, but you also gain time back in your day that was otherwise spent on those tasks. However, working from home does come with its own set of challenges. It’s important to prioritize healthy habits and boundaries during these chilly months to avoid cabin fever and declining mental health.

If you’re struggling to shake winter blues while working from home, then read on for helpful tips to get you through the next few months.

Go Outside

It may not be tempting to leave the warmth of your house, especially with colder weather, however, make it a point to leave your home at least once a day for some much-needed vitamin D. When you work from home, it’s easy to miss out on sunlight exposure, which can affect your mental health. Vitamin D is important because it acts as a mood regulator and can promote better overall health.

Take daily walks to your favorite coffee shops or even around the block for a quick trip. If you’re struggling to exercise because of a lack of motivation or the weather, then use this as your daily movement. Walking is a beneficial form of exercise that can make a huge impact on your overall health. Regardless of how you’re moving your body, what matters is you’re prioritizing going outside and getting sunlight exposure, which is a great treatment for anyone dealing with seasonal affective disorder. You will come back to work re-energized and happier.

Don’t Work From Bed

Although it might be tempting to get up and immediately start working from bed, stay clear of falling into that trap. Not only does it blur the lines between your work time and personal time, but working from bed decreases your sleep quality. Having a well-adjusted sleep cycle is crucial to your health but even more so during the winter months. To create a more definitive line between your work life balance, designate your own work-from-home space. This can be as simple as dedicating a small space in your home, like a room, a corner of a room, or a nook, where you can set up a desk and office desktop storage.

Separating your workspace from the rest of your home will help you get into work mode with minimized distractions. All you need to get started is a desk and a chair. However, if you’re working from home permanently and want something with more privacy then consider renovating to create a dedicated office. Turning an unused room, basement, or garage into your very own elegant office can improve your focus and productivity while also increasing the value of your home. If you’re not sure if you have the budget to make a major renovation, then refinancing your home with 30-year mortgage rates is a great way to lower monthly payments and add more money to upcoming projects. You can also ask your employer if they offer any work from home stipends.

Decorate Your Space

Now that you have your office space, it’s time to add some life to it. Adding elegant desk accessories will personalize your space and get you excited to work. Start by decluttering any unnecessary stuff you might be holding onto with a desktop organizer set or desk organizer trays. Look into adding some office furniture if you have the space available. Don’t be afraid to add vibrant colors throughout the office, like your desk accessories sets, area rug, or artwork.

Your office should be a reflection of your personality, so if you love greenery, then add some easy to care for plants and make sure your desk faces a window with good sunlight. While decorating should be fun and full of aesthetically pleasing features, make sure you’re also adding desk organizers and accessories that are functional. If you’re someone who needs to get better at organization or keeping on top of tasks and events, then add a calendar to your desk to help monitor important dates and times in your schedule. Creating a conducive work environment is key to promoting productivity and also creativity.

Set Goals

Work, like most things in life, can get mundane from time to time, which can be challenging during the colder months. A lack of motivation with a dose of low energy can make the workday feel daunting. A simple yet effective way to help you get through the day is by setting goals. Goal setting can keep you accountable throughout your day and help you feel fulfilled when accomplished.

Don’t solely focus on setting big goals, remember small goals are easily achieved on a regular basis, and will help you get through the day-to-day easier. Setting short-term goals also helps minimize procrastination. Even setting goals like cleaning your office space or making sure to restock on pens can leave you feeling accomplished. Setting goals will help you stay focused and motivated through those difficult days.

Stay Social

Working from home has many benefits, however, if you’re not careful you might find yourself turning into a hermit. Although there is nothing wrong with some time alone, make sure you’re not isolating your friends and family, as that can cause increased feelings of loneliness and depression. Finding time to socialize outside of your Zoom meetings can be challenging, so don’t be afraid to schedule time with your friends or loved ones, whether that be a phone date, Zoom calls, or meeting them in person. Socializing increases dopamine, which sends positive signals to your brain and wards off negative feelings.

If you want to focus on building some relationships with your team at work, then host a happy hour via Zoom. Spend time playing icebreakers or just sharing highs and lows from your week. Don’t be afraid to reach out to those you want to befriend or network with, ask about virtual or in-person seminars, and remember stepping out of your comfort zone will help you and your mental health in the long run. Winter isn’t forever, as long as you are trying to make positive changes in your life, then the positivity will come. There is no one size fits all solution to getting yourself out of a rut, but with trial and error and a brand-new office space, you will definitely feel ready for anything.