3 Ways to Kick the Winter Blues as a Work-From-Home Professional
November 14, 2016
This post was generously sponsored by Thermos L.L.C. because of my fierce love for all things hot chocolate and working-from-home so all of the content and opinions here are my own.
Working from home is an absolute dream.
You can set your own hours, work from bed underneath a warm blanket, and wear your pajamas past noon!
While I love working from home as a full-time business owner, it’s not as easy in the winter, especially here in Minnesota. When you work and live at home, it’s easy to get stuck in a rut. No one wants to feel like they are re-living groundhog’s day or hibernating for the whole winter.
I’m partnering with Thermos® to share my best tips for getting through the winter as a work-from-home professional and more about my favorite way to through the winter: lots and lots of hot chocolate. I’m kind of known for it around these parts. Exhibit A.
Take a midday computer break
Sometimes you need to walk away from your computer for a little mental break. I recommend taking a short 15-30 min reading break, a 10 min solo journaling session, or even setting aside time to listen to a new podcast or music album you’ve been dying to hear.
Go to the library or a coffeeshop for a change of scenery
Ever have one of those mornings where you sit down at your desk and feel SO uninspired? I’ve been there with writer’s block to the max. Usually, when that happens, I try to work in a different setting. The library is my favorite because (1) it’s free, (2) I can bring my own hot chocolate, (3) did I mention it’s free?
The great thing about keeping my hot chocolate in my Thermos® bottle is that it stays warm with its Temperature Retention, even during those 4-hour afternoon work sessions when I’m cranking out client work. No need to reheat it in the microwave because ain’t nobody got time for that.
Go for a walk around the neighborhood
I try to walk my pup Brandy every day even during the winter. It’s nice to get out of the house, stretch out, and get a little exercise in before getting back to work. Bringing hot chocolate along for the walk makes the day even sweeter. Be sure to bundle up with a scarf, mittens, and a hat! You don’t want to mess with Minnesota winters.
I get so many questions from blogging and business friends about what kind of hot chocolate I make since I must be some kind of cocoa connoisseur (is that a thing?!), but I like to make things easy. Here’s a quick recipe for peppermint cocoa this holiday season that I think you’ll la-la-love!
Hug-in-a-Cup Peppermint Hot Chocolate
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of dairy-free unsweetened almond milk
- 3 tablespoons of cocoa
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1 peppermint candy cane (for taste and festive pizazz!)
Directions:
- Combine all ingredients at once in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Stir occasionally until all the cocoa lumps are gone and you’ve got pure hot chocolate (don’t let it boil!)
- Pour it into your Thermos and add a candy cane to it.
- Include a dash of peppermint brandy if it’s THAT kind of work day (*wink*), but only if you’re 21 and working at home, friends!
Try hot chocolate in a Thermos® for yourself!
Thermos is giving readers (like you!) the chance to enter to win Genuine Thermos® Brand products through a promotion that is hosted on Facebook. There will be a total of 10 randomly selected winners for the promotion so let’s make one of them you!!
Enter the giveaway so we can pick out a Thermos for you… not an ordinary Thermos for you. (Please tell me I’m not the only one who knows this Steve Martin song from The Jerk!)
Stay warm and productive, my friends!
(Giveaway is now closed – thanks for entering!)
