Hello darkness, my old friend
I have been working remotely for 5 years now. I went through many different stages where I found myself trying to figure the best workflow that would work for both my brain and my body. Over the years, I could go from optimistic and motivated go-getter to stressed and depressed burn-out. One day I felt like Kanye West of the design and development world, next day I felt worthless sliding into a downward spiral.
At some point, I realised that I need to act and decided to reprogram my brain along with all of my unhealthy habits. Through trial and error, I tried different methods and approaches, including design thinking. I decided to break up with feeling of isolation and anxiety and kicked them right in teeth.
Here is how I did it.
GTFO
Seriously. Get out. Even if it means getting a coffee or taking a 15 minute walk in the morning. Set up an alarm, get up, go shower and get dressed for "work". Do that every day. Getting out of the house is crucial, because when you change location it mentally disconnects you from your space. Get sunlight and some fresh air. Even though you are back 15 minutes later your brain got a physical clue to tune in into a different mode. Brain likes routine — body likes rhythm. It's easy to wake up to the sound of Slack notification and go straight to your desk in your PJs — but that, my friend, is a recipe for depression.
Designated work space
Create your own work space. Make it nice, make it yours. In that space, have some visual or physical clues that will help you get in the zone and bring back your focus. For example, when I work I use the same mug for tea or coffee. Invest in a great chair with good back support. Make sure your space is separated. As an introverted programmer who likes silence, having a separate office with a closed door was a game changer.
Never work from your bed. Never.
Learn how to be a good teammate remotely
I believe that great work comes from great relationships. Be the person you want to work with. People crave friendship and positive interactions. This builds trust and avoids conflicts with those around us. You don't have to be best friends with everyone but everyone deserves the best version of you. Separate ego from your work and try to understand that everyone brings different stories to the table. Embrace the differences within your team and support each other. When you don't see your coworkers every day, it's easy to assume that everything is okay but in fact it's quite the opposite. Be for each other and don't be afraid to speak up, especially when you are feeling down.
Avoid fuck ups by trying to think ahead and predict situations, especially when you work in different time zones. During crunch time be a pro-active communicator. Before you log off always leave a quick summary of what you did and what still needs to be done. People love that.
Meditation and breath work
When you are stressed or feel like the world is turning into a shitsow your body puts you into “fight-or-flight” mode. This process releases a surge of hormones (cortisol and adrenaline) that puts you in a state of anxiety and misery. Operating in this mode for extended periods of time will turn your life into a nightmare and will keep you up at night wired and tired.
The physical benefits of breathing exercises are often immediate. By breathing deeply, you can activate your parasympathetic nervous system, and in turn slow down your heart rate and lower your blood pressure—creating a feeling of calm. It really feels like hacking your body.
I use breathing exercises to wind down and disconnect after a long day of work. It works wonders, especially if you stay up late or can't stop thinking about work during your down time at home.
Go work out
Your body is the home you will live in for the rest of your life. So just take care of it. As an ex-athlete who spent almost 15 years of his life in the swimming pool, I promise you, physical activity does wonders. From my experience it is the best therapy, especially for your mind. There is no better feeling than that wonderful rush of endorphins when you are done working out.