W.F.H: HOW TO TRANSITION FROM WORK SPACE TO PERSONAL SPACE.

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While most of us are spending more time at home, we’ve had to adapt to new ways of living. Whatever the situation, I’m hearing that people are really struggling to transition from work time to personal time because the space they are in has become so multifunctional. Maybe your bedroom isn’t a place of just rest and sleep anymore, but it’s now also your office, gym and yoga studio. Maybe your living room now has a desktop, whiteboard and piles of notes that just make it impossible for you to switch off in the evening. This is tough.

One practical thing that you can do , is ensure that you write a list of what you need to do the following day. ‘Brain dump’ everything onto a piece of paper, organising yourself, so that you know what it is you have to do tomorrow and so that it is out of your head. Although there may not be much you can do with the physical space (I assume you’ve figured the best possible set up), there are things that you can do energetically to help transition from work space into personal space.

RITUAL

A ritual can be anything that you want it to be. An activity, a gesture or an action. It is something that is practiced in a sequence for a purpose. Creating a ritual, that signifies the end of your working day, will allow your brain to acknowledge that you are about to transition into your personal time. It may take a few days for you to get used to but it’s a beautiful way to notify yourself that work stops and your time starts. The ritual is yours to decide on and create, it may take 20 seconds or it may take 30 mins. There’s no rights or wrongs. Here are a few ideas:

  • Turn off your laptop / phone

  • Lighting a candle

  • Having a bath / shower

  • Making a relaxing herbal tea

  • Playing some peaceful music

  • Diffusing essential oils

  • Burning incense / sage / palo santo

  • Singing or chanting something of your choice - the same each day to signify that transition.

  • Dance - put on some music and move your body. Somedays you’ll have energy to jump up and down, others will call for slow swaying. Whatever it is, you’re changing up the energy internally and externally.

ESSENTIAL OILS

Essential oils have such a powerful affect on our emotional and mental health. Diffusing certain oils can shift your internal state from a place of stress, tension and pressure into one of peace, harmony and relaxation. Our sense of smell is deeply connected to our nervous system, and our emotions and memory. There are specific essential oils and aromas that are wonderful for calming and relaxing the body and mind. However, you may have a connection to certain smells that link you to a memorable time or place when you felt deeply relaxed - so use these and allow yourself to sink into peace and harmony.

Our 5 favourite oils to unwind, relax and restore:

  • Bergamot

  • Neroli

  • Clary Sage

  • Roman Chamomile

  • French Lavender

BREATH. BODY. AWARENESS

Once you have finished your work, take a moment to sit and observe your body and breath. You may want to take some conscious and controlled breaths, breathing in for 4 and out for 8. Lengthening your out breath activates the parasympathetic nervous system which calms the body. You may want to incorporate the body, maybe a few stretches, some yoga asanas (postures) or any natural intuitive movement that feels good to you. Take a few moments to simply connect to your being. Using the breath and body allows us to shift our awareness, increasing our ability to perceive and to feel and slowing down the racing mind.

Enjoy creating your rituals <3

Alex Bottomley