Adjusting to Working from Home

With the invention of the personal computer, working from home has now become increasingly popular. So much so that there has been a remarkable increase in people remote working in the last 4 to 5 years with 1.7 million people in the UK now reporting to work mainly from home.

However, with the global outbreak of Covid-19 affecting all industries, many of us, up until a month or two ago, would have never considered the possibility that many office professionals would be forced into doing just that, Working from Home (WFH).

Adjusting to working from home is never easy. Though there are obvious benefits to remote working including increased flexibility, lack of commute and no water cooler chat (if that isn’t your thing!), it can be a struggle to be productive if you don’t quickly find a routine. While it is hard to find that sweet spot, here are several tips and tricks which may help you along the way.

1. Keep up your Morning Routine.

This may be easier said than done but keeping a semblance of your usual morning routine will help prepare you for a productive day – be it going for a run or making yourself a cup of coffee, these habits that you usually keep will go a long way in getting you into a work mindset. This involves getting dressed; it may sound silly but attempting to work in your pyjamas is probably a bad idea.

2. Stick to a Schedule

The “flexibility” of working from home can be so enticing. Sleeping in or procrastinating because you don’t have anyone breathing down your neck seems like the dream but, in reality, it can have a negative effect on your mental health and productivity levels. On the other hand, don’t allow yourself to be overworked into the night. Set your business hours and follow them religiously. This includes taking your full lunch break.

3. Create a Designated Workspace

There have been a lot of studies highlighting the benefits of movement in the workplace. Changing your workstation has been proven to help productivity and morale. However, one of the major downsides of working from home is that you end up working in an environment cluttered with personal distractions. It is much more difficult to concentrate when your TV, games and social media are all so readily available.  Therefore, its best to create a dedicated workspace and stick to it. Looking to design your own Home Office? Architectural Digest might give you some ideas. Don’t allow yourself to be tempted onto the couch where you’re within arm’s reach of the TV remote.

4. Set Ground Rules

This ties in neatly with Tip #3. When you have chosen your designated space, you need to set some ground rules with either your roommates or your family members. Just because you’re at home does not mean your available for a chat or domestic chores. When you’re in your “home office”, you are not to be disturbed.

5. Take Breaks

This may seem counter-intuitive, but research has suggested that taking small breaks will help your productivity and creativity levels. If you don’t create a good work-life balance you won’t be able to commit fully to your work. This doesn’t mean checking in on your social media accounts but stepping away from your computer every now and again; our eyes weren’t made to be looking at a screen 24/7.

Read more:

– Are you taking breaks all wrong?

6. Keep Connected

Working from home can be extremely lonely so it’s good to stay connected with your colleagues. There are many ways to do this but one of the best ways is using a video conferencing app such as Zoom or Google Hangouts. Communication is an important part of any job so don’t resign yourself to being isolated. This way you can catch up with your team and/or clients. You don’t necessarily have to talk about work; we’re social creatures after all.

7. Eat Healthily

Snacking is oh so easy when you’re working from home. Having a fridge stockpiled with your own food can be a recipe for disaster. Though it’s nice not having to watch out for nametags and worrying if you’re using someone else’s milk, planning a healthy lunch and eating fruit is beneficial. A research paper published by the British Journal of Health Psychology indicates that eating healthily helps mental health and concentration. You can always reward yourself at the end of the day with a treat.

8. Exercise

Sitting at your desk for hours on end is now considered to have adverse effects not only on your productivity but also on your health.  Exercising is a great way of keeping fit as well as keeping you motivated and engaged. If you can’t go out for a walk or run, there are numerous online fitness classes you can sign up to and take part in from the comfort of your own home. At a minimum, try stretching occasionally as this will help you maintain a good posture.

9. Stay Positive

Finally, stay upbeat! Adjusting to working from home can be difficult so give yourself time to find your own rhythm. It has its challenges so go easy on yourself and embrace the flexibility of working remotely.

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