Healthy Habits To Develop While Working From Home

Losing track of time when working from home??

Is work hindering your personal life? Or is life distracting you from doing your work properly?

Working from home is rewarding because it gives you the power to dictate how you’re going to use your time. This sort of flexibility means you can control the balance of your work and life.

However, people aren’t perfect. Our homes have nearly as many distractions as those within an office setting. From feeding the dogs, washing the dishes, to taking showers in between – these habits tend to lead to a lack of focus on work.

Poor time management and the lack of discipline when working remotely inevitably end in disaster. So how do you get yourself out of this sticky situation?

Here are some expert tips to practice for a better work-from-home experience:

Have a schedule

Do you miss grabbing a cup of coffee before heading to work? How about waking up early to get to work on time?

Working from home means you no longer have to wake up early to prepare. There’s no need to think of long lines and time-consuming commutes. Instead, you are left with plenty of time to sleep in.

However, sticking to a schedule helps in managing your time.?

Wake up earlier, and walk to a nearby coffee shop for a cup of coffee. End your day with a brief exercise. Walk the dog, or take a brisk walk around the park.?

This signals that the day has come to a close, and you’re done with all your work responsibilities.

Creating a pre- and post-work routine helps fight against a sedentary lifestyle. It also inspires us physically and mentally as it removes us from the usual bedroom view that we have at home.

Get dressed for work

Working from home is supposed to feel comfortable, but don’t get too comfortable in those pajamas.?

Instead of waking up and working straight away, try and take a shower. Get dressed in clothes that are comfortable but would make you feel like you’re actually working in an office. Put more importance on your physical appearance and hygiene.

This simple step would help in situating your mind correctly. You’ll start to think that you’re actually working and not just doing something in your sleeping clothes.

Set up an office

Not everybody can afford to have their own office, but setting up a workspace is still important. Find a comfortable chair and a desk where you can dedicate work.

Avoid working in your bed or in the living room where there’s a television. Your bed is inviting and comfortable and you could just end up taking a nap instead of sticking to your schedule.

Set firm boundaries

When working from home, balancing your work and life can be difficult. Lunch breaks could mean eating in front of your laptop, or working hours could be spent scrolling through social media.

Make an effort to switch off your phone during work hours, and turn off your laptop during breaks.?

Be disciplined in following through with your schedule. Do not mind workload after work hours so it doesn’t hinder your personal and leisure time.

Take a break

How do you usually take your breaks? Does it revitalize you and make you feel better afterward?

Scrolling through social media is a bad habit we should replace with something healthier. Limit your social media access because it makes getting back on track difficult.

Instead, maximize your time and use it on something more productive. Take a power nap, stroll around the block, or eat healthy snacks to keep your energy up.

Communicate and participate

Another practical way to spend your break is by communicating with your colleagues.?

One drawback of remote work is that it could lead to loneliness and isolation. Working long hours in front of a computer without interacting with colleagues and spending so much time on your own could lead to these feelings.

In return, loneliness and isolation result in a lack of productivity and heightened stress. This could turn into a vicious cycle if not resolved earlier.

Set up Zoom meetings with your colleagues, add them on Facebook, and plan coffee dates with your friends after work. Nurture your social life despite your busy schedule.

Pay attention to your body

When focused on your work, do you think of standing up and doing stretches?

In a work-from-home setting, this is easier to do because you have all the resources you need. Place a mat and do yoga before work, stretch your arms while working, and move around and exercise on your break.

Another thing to note is that you should pay attention to ergonomics. Have the proper work setup that supports your physical needs. Sitting in front of your computer with a bad posture for eight hours has its long-term effects.

Work-life is not easy, no matter what form or place. Remote work has its benefits and disadvantages, so we need to take heed and be mindful of our work practices.

Use these healthy WFH habits to improve your lifestyle and increase your productivity.

Happy #WFH!

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Hi, I’m Crisel Blenda Fernandez!

I’m a digital strategist and a writer. I work with Optimum Consulting and its innovative products such as My Employee Life a tool that supports workplace success and Fllair, a career platform, among others. Follow or connect with me here on LinkedIn for more helpful tips and articles.