Like most people, I am still getting my head around the fact that we are in lockdown and working from home is the new normal now! I have worked from home before but never for an extended period like this. So, I thought I would put together my top tips for working from home and hopefully they help during this rather unsettling time.
1. Establish a routine
It’s super important when working from home that you stick to a routine so that you don’t suddenly find yourself 3 weeks in with nothing done. As tempting as it is to not set an alarm and lay around in your pyjamas all day, try to stick to your normal routine. So, if on a normal work day, you get up and work out before starting your job then continue to do that. Then have your breakfast, have a coffee (or two) and then settle into your work.
It’s also important to stop work in the evenings too. When it reaches the end of your working day make sure you turn your computer off. Otherwise you might be tempted to check your emails and then suddenly you’re doing work at 10pm, which is not ideal.
2. Take breaks
It’s very easy when working from home to just carry on working and not take proper breaks. But it’s important for your wellbeing to step away from your work and take a break. So, take those morning and afternoon tea breaks and be super strict about taking a full lunch break too. And make sure you eat your lunch away from your desk so that you’re not tempted to carry on working while you eat.
3. Exercise & spend some time outside
Moving your body will help you to feel good, so it’s important to remember to keep up exercise, even if it’s a quick walk with some stretches. If you are used to working out at the gym then adapt your workouts so they can be done at home, it might mean less weights but every bit of exercise will help.
Also try to incorporate time outside as well. Whether that’s through going for a walk or by simply drinking your coffee outside; getting out into the fresh air will help your mood and gives you time away from your computer as well.
4. Work 25 minutes on, 5 minutes off
In a normal office setting we are often distracted by our colleagues, the phone ringing or walking to the printer. Our concentration time is often shorter than what we attempt to do when working from home. So, to try and get maximum concentration, I will do 25 minutes of work followed by a 5-minute break. And during that 5-minute break I’ll make the effort to walk away from my computer.
If you are worried about not being able to keep to time, then set a timer and once that goes off head back to your desk! For me personally, I find this technique really effective as it structures my concentration time with a wee reward at the end.
5. Keep in contact with people
We are naturally social and working from home can be a bit lonely if you spend all day by yourself. So, keeping in touch with friends or family can help and I love that we have so many ways to keep in contact these days. We have slightly unreliable internet at home, so if our internet isn’t working then I’ll pick up the phone and call someone instead.
Hearing a familiar voice down the phone can be quite comforting and means that you have someone to talk to while you work…if you’re good with multi-tasking! Even a quick email to a colleague can help too, especially if you are stressed about an upcoming deadline.
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading some of my tips for working from home. If you give them a try or if you have some other great tips that might help, then let me know as I think it’s great to share them during times like this!
Until next time,
L-J x
