10 tips to work from home – without going crazy!
When I started working from home full-time, after a long career working in busy offices, I found it surprisingly difficult. The novelty of having no commute and more flexibility soon wore off after I discovered how distracting working from home could be.
After 4 years of remote working, I've discovered some helpful strategies that may help you transition from ‘office to home’ in this unsettling time we are in right now.
Here are my 10 tips to help you adapt to your new home office space.
1) Make the first hour count!
Without a train to catch or a meeting to be present at, getting going in the morning can be difficult when working from home. I find that what you do in the first hour sets the tone for the day.
Try to stick to the normal morning routine as much as you can. Getting ready in the morning as if you were going to the office is proven to help with motivation and focus.
Shower, have breakfast and get dressed and ready to start the day! I have been known to occasionally work in my PJs from my bed or the sofa – and the odd day doing this is a nice treat – however, be careful you don't get into this habit as it will have a negative effect on your mental and physical health.
If you can fit in some exercise or meditation before you start work, this will also super-charge your energy to have a productive day :-)
2) Home-life v Work-life
It can be difficult to get into ‘work mode’ at home without doing something to break up the two. Here are some ideas:
Stick to a schedule that’s close to the one you are used to – i.e alarm set to the same time each day, start work at the same time, take a lunch break and have a clear finish time. Having a routine when working from home is key.
Have a dedicated area for 'work time'. If you don't have an office, set up an office space in the same place each day. This will help get you into ‘work mode’.
Go for a walk before you start work and when you finish. This can give you a clear change of state to break up the two parts of your day.
3) Background noise
You will find that you are either someone who can concentrate more with silence or with background noise. If you are struggling to focus without office noise or the hustle and bustle of colleagues, there are some great apps that play different background sounds. Here are some to try:
4) Desk set up
Be aware of any aches and pains or eye strain in your new workspace. Does your screen need to be higher? You don’t need a fancy gadget to rectify this – pile some books on your desk and put your laptop on there. Need some more light? Try different positions or angles to test the lighting.
Also – if you have any house plants it’s a good idea to keep them close to you while you’re working. Studies have proven that house plants improve concentration and productivity (by up to 15%), reduce stress levels, and boost your mood.
5) Stay Connected
It might seem appealing to have no communication with colleagues or your boss, however, you will slowly realise that you are used to having people to talk to whenever you can - and not having this can quickly make you feel isolated and disconnected.
If you have a day of no work calls, schedule a video call with a colleague to have a catch-up!
6) Plan healthy snacks
When I started working from home, I found my kitchen a big distraction! If you start to find that you are snacking more, organise some healthy snacks to grab when you find yourself ‘having a break’ in the kitchen! My go-to is veg sticks and hummus or I have tangerines and apples handy.
7) Drink more water than usual
You will find that without a daily commute or a large office to walk around you are stationary for longer. Keeping hydrated will help flush your system and keep you energised.
Tip: Make a jug of water with fruit in – Lemon, Cucumber or Strawberry :-)
8) Keep moving
Without meetings to go to or popping out for lunch, it’s important to be aware of how much you are moving your body when working at home. One idea could be to do some stretches at regular intervals throughout the day, for example ‘on the hour' or set up alerts on your phone.
There’s a form of HIIT training that’s an easy way to fit in exercise during your day. You can do it on the spot, it doesn’t take long and it gets your heart pumping quickly – which is sometimes all that you need to induce productivity and get you going again! Here’s a video to explain how it works Tabata Workout
9) Meditate to focus
Mediation is fantastic for calming a busy mind and giving you focus. Why not make the most of being able to switch off and meditate while at home?
There are some great apps that provide guided meditations for specific subjects i.e. stress, productivity, focus, morning motivation! If you're new to using apps the one I would recommend is https://insighttimer.com/
10) Music or radio?
If you’re feeling a bit blue and missing company, having the radio or music on in the background can help. Try both out and find out what works for you – some people get distracted by music and others by talking – it’s important to find what works for you.
If you find that music or the radio distracts you from work, but you like listening to it to lift your mood – why not schedule music time throughout the day? Either while you’re doing tasks that don’t need your full concentration or, get the music going to start and end the day!
Finally, be aware of how working from your new environment makes you feel. You may thrive in this new way of working, but if you start to feel bored/de-motivated/depressed think about what you can do to change things up for you. Try some of my tips above or ask friends and colleagues what they have done to adapt. Open the conversation and help each other.
We all work differently, depending on our characteristics and personality. My advice is to find what works best for you and adapt accordingly. It will make the next few weeks and months easier for you and keep your well-being balanced and your mental health strong.