How to make working from home work for you?

Working from home! There was a time we waited for days we could work from home. Days we didn't have to wake up, rush to get ready, travel to work and spend our days sitting at our desks. There was a time, where working from home was a choice you were given. But now, as you find yourself sitting at home, long hours in front of the computer, annoying internet and tech issues that you just can't explain, there is a strong feeling of frustration settling in. Why? What happened to the happy us who enjoyed working from home? 

Working from home may no longer seem fun or exciting, but the reality that we cannot escape is that the COVID-19 has fundamentally changed the way we work. Working from home is the new normal. However, you can make work from home work for you!

If you are one of those lucky people, who has found their rhythm working at home and struck a balance in their work and personal life, kudos to you, but this article is not for you! 

If you have been struggling lately and working longer hours than usual, read on, I hope this helps you.

 Right now, grab a pen and a piece of paper and let's answer a few questions- Take a minute and think of your days before you started working from home -

1. Did you have a routine you followed before and after work?
2. Did you have a hobby you were passionate about?
3. What else did you do that made you happy?
4. How have your days been post the pandemic? Is there any difference in the two (apart from being locked in your house) ?

How to make working from home work for you? The answer is quite simple - Remember to live your life! 

When you are confined not just to the 4 walls of your house, but also to your screen for long hours, the monotony of it all gets to you. However, here are a few things you can do to make working from home work for you- 

1. Dress up for work: it is easy to wake up just a few minutes before you need to login, slide out of bed and open your laptop even before you have freshened up. But have you noticed how this makes you all cranky and groggy throughout your day? Most of us have given up doing this one thing before we start our day - Getting dressed for work.We don't realise it often but getting dressed for work has a big impact on the way you feel. Clothing can make you feel good (or bad). So let's restart this beautiful, and sometimes chaotic routine of getting dressed and ready for work. Now getting dressed to sit at home and work might sound silly, but it can definitely change the tempo of your day! Get up, get into you something comfortable to work in, and then start your day (BTW I don't mean you need to wear a full formal work suit for a day of video conferences, but you do you!!)
2. Get off the screen, give your eyes a break: working from home demands that you spend a lot more time in front of your computer and phones. Of course, how else would we get our work done. However, with increase in screen time, our levels of stress and the strain on our eyes has also increased. We spend long hours staring at our screen for video conferences, where you are forced to stare at something that is in close proximity and doing this exhausts us. So get off your screen, maybe go out and remember to take a break from your screen every few minutes. Focusing on things in the distance (the view out the window or the artwork on your wall), rather than exclusively on what’s up close will help you relax a little and you will find yourself less exhausted by the end of the day.
3. Move around a little: Very rarely do we realise how much we actually move around at work. It may be to grab a cup of coffee, a short walk to the loo or even to just walk up to your friends desk to have a quick chat. When working from home, we often make the mistake of making ourselves super comfortable in our workspace. We keep lots of water around us, maybe a few snacks and refuse to move from our spots unless we absolutely have to. So make it a point to get up every hour or so, stretch those legs, walk around a little. A little movement throughout the day will help keep the blood flowing and give you a lot more energy. So get off your seat every hour or even better, walk around when you take your calls.
4. Have a routine: set time for yourself everyday to do the things you enjoy. Go back to your hobbies and if you feel like it, pick up a new one. Being at home all day gets frustrating and a little bit depressing at times. The feeling of being caged in gets stronger. Break that feeling of being stuck. Do things that you are passionate about. Spend some time whipping up something in the kitchen, pick up an instrument and make some noise, watch a movie or get back to watching your favourite shows after you are done with work. Having a routine for yourself, and sticking to it will give you a sense of control over your life that we all seem to be lacking right now. 
5. Remember, people miss you too: The one of the things everyone misses the most while working from home are the amazing people you are surrounded with at work, it could be your work best friend, your desk-mate or even your team lead or manager. But we don't want to be a bother and disturb them while they are working or busy, so we tend to wait for the right time to talk to them. Sadly, the right time never does come. So put in some effort and schedule a quick catch-up, a call over coffee or even a video call on a Saturday night to keep up to the weekend chill sessions and remember, the people you miss, miss you too!

So here are 5 small things that have helped me cope with and be more productive while working from home, i hope this helps you too.