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Psychologist tips: Reclaiming your home from work-from-home

February 14, 2022 Leave a Comment

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By psychologist Jaimie Bloch

With hybrid and remote working continuing to be the norm in 2022, never have our personal and our professional lives become so blurred โ€“ in fact new research from Allianz reveals that two in five Australians admit that switching off has become increasingly difficult for this exact reason. 

With a third of Aussies saying their home office has infiltrated their homes, this year more than ever, Australians need to prioritise creating mentally healthy workspaces. So rather than just dive back into the working year, I am encouraging you to reclaim your homes as exactly that, your homes. 

We can feel more productive and create mentally healthy workspaces through simple and small adjustments, such as these:

Try to create distance between your workspace and your personal space

After a lovely holiday break, you may have found yourself working from the same spot as last year. While this spot may feel fine as it worked โ€˜okayโ€™ for you last year, it may be time for an update, in fact the research from Allianz shows that over a third are unhappy that their office space is in a communal part of their home. 

If possible, create distance between your work and personal space. If youโ€™re unable to create physical distance, create mental distance. You can do this by using the Eisenhower matrix. In this technique, you create psychological distance from stress by creating a 2 x 2 matrix. The columns should be labeled Urgent and Less Urgent, and the rows Important and Less Important. At the end of the day, assign the tasks that are still needing to be completed into the matrix. 

This way you can create a distinction to switch off for the night and when the new day begins tomorrow, you already have a mapped-out plan of what should be tackled first; the urgent and important work. This will allow you to take the load off once work ends, and give you space to unwind and enjoy being in your home rather than feel stressed and anxious and continue working throughout the night.

Remove the clutter

Clutter and mess can be stressful and overwhelming โ€“ in fact there is a link between mess preventing you from being fully productive. While itโ€™s not possible for all of us to have a private room to work from, itโ€™s important that our space is tidy, and maximising our communal areas. 

According to the Allianz research, Australians describe their current office space as cluttered or busy. With so many admitting this, try to remove excess clutter or pop away items in drawers (or better yet, discard the papers if you can!). A tidy space creates fewer distractions and provides mental clarity which will allow you to focus when at work.

Limit the distractions

Working within a tidy area promotes a sense of calmness, which reduces stress and anxiety and leads to a higher level of productivity. 

When looking at oneโ€™s office, distractions arenโ€™t limited to physical items โ€“ it can also be digital. An example of this is having too many notifications coming through, having too many tabs open, or having too many files sitting on your desktop. This can be a distraction while you are working, so turn off notifications periodically throughout the day, reduce digital clutter by clearing your desktop and exit out of browsers when theyโ€™re not needed. 

The research shows that 62% do not turn off their notifications when they are not working, making it near impossible to switch off. People are actually more productive at work if they have a mental break. So, over the weekend and during the evening, try to limit yourself or refrain from checking work-related notifications. This clears your mind when youโ€™re not at work and allows you to fully switch off. 

Pack down your work desk at the end of the day

If youโ€™re like the majority of Australians and unable to physically separate your work from home, try to pack down your desk at the end of the work day. While at the time it may feel like a lot of effort, taking the time to do this will ensure you are mentally shutting down from the day gone by and resetting your mind for the day ahead. 

Find out how you can reclaim your home

Single mum achieves amazing home makeover on a budget
They say first impressions count and we were so blown away with the difference Kat Marshall made to her entry recently for well under $1,000, we just had to share…

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While we featured a gloriously colourful home on M While we featured a gloriously colourful home on Monday, this one is a masterclass in serene neutrals! And how good is this bunk room?!

Take the tour on the blog now. Via link in bio.

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Washable rugs, eco-friendly play mats, reversible Washable rugs, eco-friendly play mats, reversible linen, gorgeous wallpaper and the chance to win a beautiful bouclรฉ recliner chair!

Today's kids room roundup is full of loveliness if we don't say ourselves!

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A glass shower screen is not the only option! In A glass shower screen is not the only option!

In this 80s villa reno, @trentinidesign took inspiration from an archway typical of the era and used it throughout the home.

The bathroom was transformed from a classic three-piece set up that included a shower, bath and vanity. Kathryn removed the bath and split the room in half and designed an arch to sit between the two zones. 

โ€œI wanted something spectacular. Rather than having a vanity with a piece of glass like you would typically see, I was really trying to push myself as a designer. It was costly but it worked out well and the feedback has been great."

Swipe for the before and follow the link in bio to see the rest of this home.

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One half of popular parenting podcast @wedonthavet One half of popular parenting podcast @wedonthavetimeforthis, turns out former Neighbours actor @gemma_peanut is even more multi-talented than we thought! Will you check out the joyful and colourful reno of her holiday home (and airbnb) @yo_caba_caba?!

Head over to the blog via link in bio to read all about why she went bold and full of pattern in this project, which is a stark contrast to her zen and neutral Northern Beaches abode.

There's also plenty of details about where things are from etc.

"Iโ€™m not an interior designer so I just chose what I liked and followed my gut. Ultimately this home has been an opportunity to explore my alter ego โ€“ it allowed me to do things that I wouldnโ€™t normally do.โ€

๐Ÿ“ท @tanikablair_photography 

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Not many friends in life fall into the unofficial Not many friends in life fall into the unofficial family category and they're a special gift. So ends three weeks with @danisteve81 who left her husband and son in the UK (I'm forever grateful they lent her to me!) to come and cheer me up and help me in the most practical ways after I spent Christmas and New Year in hospital. There were tears and I miss her so much already but how amazing to have had all that time together as adults. Such a rare treat and would never have happened without having been through something so challenging. Silver linings and all that. So many other friends have also been incredibly thoughtful and kind. There aren't many times I'd say this without cringing but I am 100% blessed!

I still cannot believe we have been friends since we were 12! 12! Are you still close with your childhood besties?
The renovation of this 80s beach shack @camillo_ho The renovation of this 80s beach shack @camillo_house is a work of art and while almost every surface was updated, the decision to keep the original slate floor was genius if you ask us. 

Owner @clarehillier__ says: "With its purple, pink, red and brown tones, the slate was the starting point for our interior palette."

Come and check out the before and afters via link in bio now and read the reno story. It's a real beauty.

And you can book it for your next holiday too!

Blair Smith Architecture @kateshanasy

#slatefloor #slatefloors #80shouse #80sbeauty #camillohouse #interiorsblog #interiorsblogger #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #realreno #holidayhousesofinstagram #morningtonpeninsulahomes #morningtonpeninsula #morningtonpeninsulasmallbusiness #blairgowrie #blairgowriebeach #airbnbstyle
Me and my boys ๐Ÿ’— Me and my boys ๐Ÿ’—
Just a couple of dorks who've been friends for thr Just a couple of dorks who've been friends for three decades going out for a child-free dinner ๐Ÿ’“๐Ÿ˜
Excuse me while I die of a cute attack ๐Ÿฅฐ @damia Excuse me while I die of a cute attack ๐Ÿฅฐ @damianfrancis 

This doesn't happen often these days!
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About Jen Bishop

Jen Bishop is our owner and publisher and an experienced journalist and editor. Interiors Addict has been her full-time job for more than 8 years. She is married to Damian and mum to Sebastian and Charlie.

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