To think that doing something for yourself before work is important, especially for those WFH?

[WorthyOrca]

I’ve heard a lot about the benefits of taking time for yourself in the morning, rather than just rolling out of bed and diving straight into work. Whether it’s a quick workout, meditation, or even enjoying a cup of tea in peace, I feel starting the day with self-care sets a positive tone. What do you do for yourself before work, and do you think it makes a difference?

I get the kids up, give them breakfast, make them get dressed, pack two lunches, walk them to school (and the dog) then run back in time to log in at 9.
I mostly get a shower, sometimes a cup of tea and never breakfast.
I don't do anything at all for myself, until quite late at night.

I wfh too and really struggling at the moment with being so lonely at home. You've inspired me to get up and walk before work! I have a dog who I take out at lunch but it's so mundane

All these people having leisurely morning get readys before work I am very jealous !

I run around like an idiot feeding small children, animals, loggin on, blasting a couple of emails, school run, back to desk to login.

I go to the gym before work two or three mornings a week, & on the others the cat & I have an extra long play session.

I bought a moka pot & get coffee beans from my fabulous local independent coffee shop, so that’s my morning treat.

When my knees allow it I exercise 15-30 minutes. When they're uncooperative I make sure to have a leisurely coffee while catching up on gossip or news online.

In warm weather I also try to take my coffee outside to the garden so I make sure to enjoy nature for at least a few minutes, also helps me feel less crabby if I can get some nature time in.

I used to get up, dress and rush out the door and now I realize that was a terrible way to begin my day, 15-30 minutes is perfect for me to get my head on straight.

@TheCentreCannotHold

how does your job affect your ability for self care before work?

in my previous job I didn't want to get up any earlier for self care, so I made my commute as enjoyable as possible. As sad as it sounds that was wearing comfortable clothes, taking a latte (from my sage machine) & listening to LBC.

then getting in self care wherever I could through the day.

A few years ago I lived in Valencia, I walked along the beach walkway every morning, had a coffee & sat people watching, thst was THE best.

ive lived in NZ & in ski mountains & shamefully took it for granted & didn't make the most of it.

I do sometimes stay in bed until it's time to start work. I'm not a morning person at all.

But that isn't a good way to start the working day at all.

most weekday mornings I go for a sea swim weather & tides permitting. In the winter I'll squeeze a sea swim plus sauna in.

One mornings I do an early yoga class then a sea swim.

Sometimes I'll do an early gym class.

It's just so nice being on the beach. Such a fab way to start the day.

Yep I go and see my horse every morning before work, totally makes me feel happy and alive before I start my day (even if I hate the 6am alarms sometimes 🤣)

God yes. Depends on the day and what I’m doing with kids, but I either go for a longer walk home after the school run or if I have more time I go for a run. It’s changed my entire days. I have so much more energy.

DC are self sufficient in the mornings, so I get up a couple of hours before I need to leave the house to take DD2 to school and have a cup of tea and read a physical copy of the paper in bed before I do anything else.

Just me and Dh at home now.

I get up early and either go for a swim or a long walk out in the countryside.

It's kept me sane during a very difficult few years.

My DC are older so no longer need my time in the morning. I go swimming in the local pool on one of the days I WFH so I feel at least I’ve done some exercise that day. On the other days I’ll go for a walk or do a bit of tidying up. Still feels like me time!

Zen meditation - 10mins. Back stretches 10 mins. Ready for anything then!!!

I get up after 4 hours sleep at most (up in the night with disabled child), get disabled child dressed and fed and ready for school, help other 2 young children get ready for school, do 2 separate school drop offs then drive 15 mins to work, arriving about 3 mins after I really need to be there!

Same - I would have to wake up between 5am and 6am to get any time to myself. But maybe school run counts as a walk even though it’s 2 mins from my house :)

I do see the value in it! Sometimes I walk down the road for a coffee to start the day with a walk.

I walk my dog for an hour then come home and have a cup of tea in the garden (under the canopy if it's raining). It's the best way to start the day before heading to work.

I get up about 2,5h before starting work so it gives me plenty of time to go for a short walk, have a slow breakfast (preferably in my garden if there is not rain) and then I will either read or draw/paint for 40 minutes.

Coffee in bed with DH, much better than getting up at 6am to get on a train.

then try to fit in exercise ‘snacks’ of 15’ mins in the morning; skipping, bouncing on a rebounder, yoga, weights or rowing.

@AutumnTimeForCosy24 non-working day is usually up at 7:30ish, walk the dog then a gym class, coffee, house stuff, maybe meet a friend, life admin, grocery shopping so our weekends are free to go out and do fun stuff.
I'm missing DCs terribly but trying to find the positives, like having more free time 🙂

I have young DC but still prioritise this. For me as soon as I open my eyes I count 10 gratitudes for my life, every single day, and this has massively made a difference to how I start my day in terms of my mood and mindset.

My DC come into bed with us at about 6/6.30 and read / play educational games on iPad whilst DH and I drink coffee in bed. This happens everyday as I'm next to useless until I've had about a pint of coffee and it's a lovely start to the day to have cuddles - I also know it won't last forever.

Once we've all got ready and walked DC to school I take 30 minutes to either run, do yoga, resistance training and / or mediation.

Only then will I open my laptop!

Honestly this was not my life a few years ago when I would wake up as late as possible, often with a low key hangover and roll off to work grabbing a latte on the way. Nowadays I couldn't function like that and my mental health is so much better this way.

Oh I wish I had your discipline and routine that sounds like bliss. Send any spare discipline this way please.

I'm reading these will so much interest I'm new to WFH and lacking this break and missing my commute.

I honestly can't quite believe some of your mornings. I get up at 5.30 so I can have a quick coffee before the manic pre work/school prep starts. But I reckon about 40mins of that time is spent trying to get the teen out of bed. And another 30 fixing slick back ponytail dramas.

@greengreenrollneck I'll be honest, the routine helps me keep my mood in check and fill in the gaps now the DCs have flown the nest. I'm perimenopausal and the exercise helps me keep on top of any weight gain.
I used to workout at home but was barely leaving the house apart from walking my dog, so am back at the gym now which I'm loving!

I've WFH for years. These days I wait until DS2 is out of the door then go back to bed with a cuppa and play 10 games of Candy Crush while listening to the radio.
I've done a tonne of stuff before then, but that little pause between home and work is a good line.
I'm not a morning person so my more energetic stuff (including exercise) is done at the other end of the day.

I've been WFH now for about 3 years and it's a drastic change from my previous 23 years, of one hour communities and 10 hour working days.
I have productive mornings of trying to feed elderly fussy dogs, housework and most days logging onto work early when it's not necessary.
You've all inspired me and I'd love to do some morning yoga, can anyone recommend any online channels to watch please?