Top Tips for Working from Home

Working from home may be a first for many people and so it is important to understand how to do so effectively and efficiently without putting a strain on your mental wellbeing.

So many of us will be used to a set routine; wake up, shower, have breakfast, get to work, eat lunch, get home, have dinner, relax, sleep. Having a routine provides clarity and keeps us in control of being productive and the best version of ourselves we can possibly be.

Whilst working from home it is important to keep some sort of routine; this will avoid us feeling stressed anxious and perhaps overwhelmed. Here are some simple steps you can incorporate into your daily routine to make sure you can stay focused.

1. Get changed!

There’s one thing wearing comfortable clothes and another not changing out your pyjamas. Put on appropriate comfortable clothing to work in, besides you don’t want to get caught out on a last-minute conference call!

2. Wake up with time to spare.

Yes, the commute may only be from one room to another, but you still need to wake up both physically and mentally.

3. DIY office space.

Make sure you dedicate a space to where you’ll be doing your work that’s not your bedroom or leisure space such as your sofa, help make the work-life divide a little clearer.

4. Comfort is key.

Whether your office space is your desk, or a kitchen table make sure it’s comfortable. Choose a chair that supports your back and think about propping your laptop up at eye level to avoid hurting your neck.

5. Priotitise your nutrition.

There’s no one around to silently judge you on your snack choices when you’re at home but resist the urge to snack on junk during the day. Use the time you are saving on the commute to prepare your meals. For example, starting your day with a smoothie is a great way to pack the nutrition in first thing, head over to our blog for plenty of recipes

6. Learn to love a list.

It’s so easy to get off task while working from home. Having a checklist of the things you need to get done will help you visualize your progress throughout the day.

7. Don’t get distracted.

Just because you’re working from home doesn’t mean its time to do that lengthy wardrobe clear out you’ve been wanting to do. Doing non work-related tasks will lead to distractions. Set time at the weekend to do this.

8. Stay connected.

With today’s technology we can keep connected to check in with co-workers to make sure we are all on the same page, it is important to have an update at the start of the day and at the end.

9. It’s okay to take a break.

Day to day in the office you’re probably not working 100% of the time. So, it’s okay to move away from your screen, take 5 and recharge.

10. Have some background noise.

Your home probably won’t have the same buzz as your busy office space so put on some music or turn on the radio, so you don’t feel like you’re alone.

11. Switch off.

When it reaches the end of the day be sure to turn off any work-related notifications, leave no trace of work that will tempt you to return. Head to the sofa, put your feet up and relax or go out for a walk whilst the weathers so good!

12. Get some shut eye.

We need 7-9 hours sleep each night and when you are leaving early and coming home late – especially true for those commuting to London- you can find yourself staying up later than you should and getting less sleep than you need. This is a great opportunity to improve your sleep hygiene and bedtime habits for the future. By getting enough sleep your brain can fire on all cylinders, your body will have more energy and you have a better ability to tackle what is thrown at you. In addition, when you are tired your body is craving energy which might leave you reaching for sugary or starchy food, so by getting enough sleep you wont need the junk! Read more about sleep hygiene in our previous blogs here

13. Spend time with family.

Long hours at work can mean that you miss out on time as a family during the week and only finding yourself with enough time to eat, wash and sleep. Use the extra found hours to spend some quality time with each other – dig out the games, make dinner together or even have a run around the garden.

Whilst being confined to our homes may be more extreme over the coming week and can be a challenge, there are certainly some silver linings to our newfound situation. Our only choice is to make the most out it and take the small wins wherever they arise!