Using Pomodouro Technique For Self-Care While Working at Home
The Easy Time-Management Trick I Use to Stay on Top of My Work and Self-Care Routine
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Whether you're juggling your job duties and family ones (in the same space) or just working from home solo for the first time, it's going to be an adjustment. Trust me, I feel you. When I first starting working from home as a freelancer, I found time management to be one of the most challenging aspects to master, from the pressure from "just one more email" to the siren song of a nearby couch and TV.
However, in addition to my actual job (which I've done remotely for a while now), I've also appointed myself unofficial spokesperson for the Pomodouro Technique. Named after the creator's tomato-shaped timer, its premise is fairly simple: you block out 25-minute chunks of work time with four five-minute breaks in between each before a longer 15-minute break. I personally use it to set goals to write, edit, or research for 25 minutes straight (and repeat as needed), but it can be adjusted for many different professions (or even nonwork tasks like cleaning). And my favourite thing is that it just so happens to also be the perfect amount of time to let a face mask dry. Fancy that.
To be twice as productive, I use one of the five-minute breaks to apply a face mask, so when I sit down to work for my next 25-minute period, my skin is getting a special treat, too. Then, I use the following break to wash it off, and back to work I go. While a tomato sauce time-management tool by any other name would still smell as sweet, I use a free app to do this called Workflow Timer. It has the intervals all set up, but there's no reason you couldn't just set a regular timer in your home instead.
I juggle masks and work tasks once a week, but sometimes more, depending on what my skin needs. I pick ones meant to be left on for 20 minutes already (and work well for me that way), but you know your own skin better than anyone, so test it first.
Here are some of my favourite face masks to tackle different skin-care needs, all from Sephora. Happy masking — and multitasking.
A Mask When Your Face Needs Exfoliating
When my flaky, uneven skin needs some resurfacing, I grab this Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial 25% AHA + 2% BHA Mask ($80). Its AHA blend includes lactic and glycolic acids to brighten and resurface my skin, and leaves it clearer and more even-toned, too.
A Mask When You Want to Rejuvenate Dull Skin
The Youth To The People Superfood Skin Reset Antioxidant Mask ($44) is like a creamy skin reset that makes me feel like I just drank a big glass of green juice. After all, it does include things like kale, spinach, and spirulina that are commonly found in actual juice . . . and gives skin necessary vitamins, nutrients, and an antioxidant boost.
A Mask When Your Complexion Needs Extra Hydration
The hyaluronic-acid-rich Glamglow Thirstymud Hydrating Treatment Mask ($25-$82) is not only helpful in cold, winter weather, but it's also very moisturising when skin's dry after spending too much time indoors.
A Mask When You See a Pimple Trying to Bust Through
The clay Indie Lee Clearing Mask ($60) has acne-fighting salicylic acid and colloidal sulfur to help unclog pores and reduce sebum — and I love that it's not too drying on my skin either.
A Mask When Your Skin Could Just Use a Detox
There's just something extra satisfying about peeling off this Boscia Luminizing Black Charcoal Mask ($34). My skin really glows afterwards — thanks to the vitamin C inside — and my pores look better, too.
It's also offered as part of the Boscia Multi-Masking Medley ($18) which adds in an oil-controlling mask with green tea and a brightening white mask with sake that addresses hyperpigmentation — and these peel off, too.
A Mask When You Want to Give a Special Treat . . . to Your Feet
Of course, faces don't need to have all the fun. Adding a lavender or almond Sephora Collection Foot Mask ($5) can treat your feet while you type.
This warming Dr. Jart+ Dermask Foot Smoothing Mask ($12) won't interfere with your work — or virtual meetings — either.
