Month: July 2020

Home, sweet home- This is where most people have been since #COVID-19 became a pandemic. The virus has kept people within the confines of their homes for over 110 days now. Children are cooped up indoors, unable to go to school, though learning is still on through virtual classes. 

Teenagers, often the most energetic, are not going to college or meeting friend outdoors. The virus has ensured families spend more time inside their homes, and members that are not working have more free time than usual. However, more free time during this pandemic has resulted in a rise in anxiety about job security, health and even the future in general. While numerous studies have shown that stress can affect the quality of sleep and also one’s natural sleeping habits, worry not, we’ve got your back. 

Here are a few relaxing activities that can help you deal with and even enjoy the present moment without mentally rushing into the uncertain future, and of course, experience great sleep too.  

Journaling: Have you ever tried speaking your mind out to someone at the end of the day? Journaling can help you have a similar emotional release. So the next time you find yourself worrying about something, it might be a good idea to note down your thoughts on paper. It can do wonders, especially if it’s been a hectic day. Journaling can help you see your thoughts as an observer which will help the brain calm down. Once this happens, enjoying good sleep is a lot easier. You no longer need to lie awake at night, staring at the ceiling, anxiously running through tomorrow’s to-do-list in your mind. 

Gardening: Being amidst greenery and interacting with plants can help you connect with your inner person. The process of gardening involves sowing new seeds, watering them and even caring for them. Witnessing the transformation of tiny seeds into small plants and eventually bigger ones can be therapeutic. Gardening can help one gain a stronger sense of the things that they can control, like exposing the plant to adequate sunlight, watering it daily and ensuring it’s been planted in the right soil. It also shows that one is not in control of the result, which is the plants’ growth. And to accept that there are certain things that one cannot control with a calm and peaceful mind is crucial for good sleep every night. 

Walking: Early humans moved around a lot, and they walked on foot. Today, walking is not a necessity anymore. However, that does not mean its got no benefits. Walking is still one of the most basic forms of exercise. What’s become a mere pastime now is also an opportunity to experience nature. Also, given the times, walking is an excellent excuse to step out and take a breath of fresh air. Stepping out during the day not only ensures you take more breaks, but it also helps your mind notice the surroundings and eventually reassure itself that in the long run, things are going to be okay. 

Listening to Music: This is a habit that is both entertaining and calming for the mind. While there are quite a few athletes who use music while they train, you can use it to enter a calm and restful state of mind. Listening to certain kinds of music have shown to affect mood, focus, and even productivity positively. Slow rhythmic music, of any genre, can often do the trick. Cheerful music can also remind you of happier times and cherished memories. Thus, music can also help you direct your focus on the more positive aspects of life. It is one of the best ways to unwind after a strenuous day. 

Reading: Though there may be many things vying for your attention, it can be helpful to set aside some time for reading. Many famous personalities have testified about the benefits of reading. Fiction or non-fiction, a good book can take you places without requiring you to step out. Reading can also help you improve focus while paving the way for learning, and also enhancing your language skills. It is still one of the most relaxing activities that can help the mind slow down and even fall into comforting sleep.

Additionally, you may try playing online casino games on your mobile. This great and lucrative hobby will help you to spend time with interest and benefit. In the best mobile online casinos you may win real money and get the great feel of real land-based gambling. You may find and try playing new games and use free bonuses which will spice up your play.

All the activities mentioned above can help you calm the mind. COVID-19 has effected every aspect of life. At Peps, we want to ensure that sleep isn’t one of them. Take care, and stay safe.

Habit and rituals can help us live our lives with enhanced fulfilment. The things you do in the morning can set the tone for the rest of your day. Therefore, it is important to make the right start.

The more energetic, efficient and productive you are, the faster you’ll accomplish daily goals. While many may see their ability to follow the same morning routines as a luxury reserved for a lucky few, the high performers are mindful of how they spend their mornings. Here are a few morning routines that can help you kickstart your day for maximum efficiency.

1) Make your bed:

Some years ago, a retired Navy SEAL commander, Bill McRaven, gave a graduation speech at the University of Texas. His advice was, “no matter what you do, if you want to be successful, you should make your bed in the morning”.
There are practical benefits to the routine and it also prepares your mind to get things done. The cleanliness and organisation it results in are also good for your focus. This simple practice can give you a sense of accomplishment at the beginning of each day, and the momentum gained can help you get to the remaining tasks. Even if you have a bad day, you at least return to a bed that’s made.

2) Review goals and to-do lists:

Just like maps help you get to a particular destination, reviewing your goals can help you align your daily actions to the results you desire. Get into the stride and focus on what you want to accomplish for the day. Take the rein. Use a to-do list and check-in at regular intervals during the day to ensure you are on track. Feeling distracted? Just take a look at your list and think of all the positive results of having finished the task, this will help you stay focused throughout the day.

3) Read up:

The most successful leaders read, and they often read in the morning. Reading has numerous benefits. It not only gives you information from an expert, but it’s also a great exercise for the brain. Reading in the morning is beneficial as the brain is fresh and reading a good book is great input for the mind to process during the day. There are quite a few top-performers in the world who are famous for reading many hours every day. So pick up the book you’ve been wanting to read for so long, and try to give it your full attention in the early hours of the day. 

4) Get moving:

Exercise is a great way to start the day. Physical activity can help the heart increase blood circulation in the body. If working out does not sound exciting enough, you can also dive into your favourite sport. This can be a great way to ensure you stay fit while improving your game day after day. The benefits of daily exercise are many and if you’re looking to make mornings more effective, physical training is a good place to start. While there are numerous options, be mindful of your body type and fitness level before choosing an activity that helps you improve overall health.  

5) Meditation and yoga: 

Some of the most successful entrepreneurs are known for practising yoga. Yogic asanas provide healthy movement to the body while also increasing your physical and mental awareness.

Morning meditation, practising mindfulness and breathing exercises alongside some journaling can give your mind an increased amount of clarity in the morning. While meditating may feel strange in the beginning because of unfamiliarity, it has been shown to improve focus in numerous academic studies. 

6) Check-in on the important things:

Many professions today involve being online and in front of a screen. It seems to work well for many of them. However, with the growing distraction of social media and hyper-personalised ads, it’s important to prioritise the important tasks. These can be important emails, writing or even the presentation due shortly. The idea is to get to the important things at the very beginning. This will help you get the top-priority tasks earlier in the day so that the rest of your day is freed up to focus on other tasks and maybe even some socialisation.  

7) Eat breakfast with the people you love:

If you have a hectic schedule, it can seem hard to slow down to eat breakfast with your family. But breakfast with the people you love the most can really help you mentally. It’ll ensure you are connected to the ones most dear to you and will also help start the day on a positive note. If you stay alone or live with just your partner, ensure to indulge in a cosy breakfast on your bed on weekends. This is not only comfortable but helps you experience and enjoy the first meal of your day without any external disturbances.
So start your day on a positive note, and ensure you are still getting the most important things done. Have a good one!

The global onslaught of COVID-19 has changed many things, and this includes where people will have work from too. Quite a few multi-national companies have shut their offices to help their employees stay safe, in their homes, against what seems to be the most viral infection yet.

So most Indians are working from home. But this is not a new concept at all. Many entrepreneurs have built rewarding careers while working from home before the Coronavirus pandemic. Thanks to compact light-weighted laptops and access to high-speed internet, switching to the WFH mode was not hard, at least technically. But add to this the absence of domestic help, an increasing workload, the anxiety brought forth by the uncertainty during a global pandemic, the circumstances can look grim too quickly. Before you know it, one thing affects the other, and the result? Sleep deprivation.

Has it been hard to get at least 7-8 hours of good sleep for you? Are you finding it challenging to maintain your sleep timings? Have you been struggling with focus during the day? If your answer is yes to any of these questions, you could use some help to get your sleep cycle back on track.

So what’s the hack? How can you nail WFH without feeling sleep deprived? Here are a few steps that can help:

1. Schedule your day:

Scheduling can seem obvious, but it can make a huge difference in how your overall day is experienced. From giving you a sense of all the tasks that need to be done to helping you understand how you can go about completing them, scheduling can help you get things done during the day within your working hours. Putting all items down on paper will make you aware of the things that are in your control and can also help you measure your efficiency at the end of the day. One crucial advantage of scheduling is that it also allows you to prioritise your well being. So go ahead and plan how your typical day should look.

2. Prioritise sleep:

The importance of sleep cannot be overstated, and a set time to hit the bed is critical. Numerous studies by renowned universities and scholars from around the world have shown that sleep is crucial for physical and mental well-being. It’s important to remember that a sleepless night is not a badge of honour but can lead to severe problems in the future. Whenever you face a situation where work needs to be done overnight, speak with your team or manager to adjust the deadline to the next day. A good night’s sleep will not only help your body and mind rest but will also refresh you to work with new ideas and may even enhance the quality of your work.

3. Have dedicated spaces for work and sleep:

Studies have shown that sleeping and working in the same area can affect your sleep and productivity, as the mind can find it difficult to switch from one situation to the other. But if there is a dedicated space for work and another for sleeping, then it’s easier for the brain to adapt. It can also be difficult to achieve focus and efficiency if you are trying to work from your bedroom. Chances are you’ll feel sleepy. Therefore, being able to sleep without interruptions will require you to have spacial and timely boundaries. This will also help remove distractions while you churn out work.

4. Become more mindful:

Mindfulness is the act of bringing one’s full attention to experiences in the present moment without any judgements and can be practised while meditating, exercising, or even walking. It can also be practised while working by focusing on the task you are performing. This will help you clear your mind of unwanted thoughts and even anxiety about imagined circumstances. So take a deep breath and begin your mindfulness journey today. Mindfulness has been shown to calm the mind, which is a massive advantage if you’re trying to experience sound sleep. It’s certainly wise to amplify your awareness during these difficult times.

5. Socialise with your near and dear ones:

COVID-19 has introduced the world to quite a few buzzwords and the most popular among them is social-distancing. The term signifies the act of physically distancing oneself from other individuals to avoid viral infection. However, this does not mean that one stops all social interaction. Thankfully we live in a world where video calls have become a part of everyday life. So we should use every opportunity to maintain healthy connections through technology. But how does this affect sleep? Well, positive social interactions can help us realise that we are not alone. They are also an opportunity to share serious concerns with others, which can help reduce anxiety and fear, and as a result, enhance our quality of sleep.

So next time you feel like working from home is affecting your sleep, know that you can choose to do a few things differently the next day. Don’t stop trying different approaches until you find ones that work for you.