WFH Tips: Find Ways to Relieve the Stress

It’s no secret that working from home can be stressful, and that every team member will have their own unique set of issues and complications to overcome. It’s key to team and project success that every member of the team stays as healthy and happy as possible. Here are some simple tips to do just that:

• Maintain a healthy routine, which matches your normal work routine as much as possible. Set a time to start the work day, and to end it, and don’t run over. Create clear boundaries between work and home life.
• Take frequent breaks. Get up, go for a walk, have lunch. Sitting at your desk all day will make you a little stir-crazy.
• Take time to connect on a human level with your colleagues, by having a virtual coffee date or lunch using Teams or Zoom.
• Don't hesitate to express your frustrations, feelings of isolation, or other challenges that you may be having while working remotely.
• Try to create a space dedicated to work - even if it's just a corner where you can store your work materials at the end of the day. Don’t work where you relax.
• If you're working on a really distributed team, turn on your phone's "Do Not Disturb" mode so it won't ding with notifications all night.
• Use the time you needed to commute on yourself. Allow yourself to go through a book or a podcast, read an article, or exercise.
• Use differing schedules to your advantage. Now that you work remotely, you can lie down for a nap or have a quick workout if it gives you an energy boost and increases concentration.

Dmitry Bagrov, Managing Director at DataArt UK, uses these guidelines to ensure the most productivity while working remotely:

“1. Music. Listening to Rammstein or Depeche Mode while working guarantees the best productivity. At least for me.

2. HIIW = High Intensity Interval Working. Work in short yet intense intervals. Be your own manager: make sure to work for 15-30 minutes before you switch and do something else.

3. Let's call it a Five-Minute Mum. Now, this one might only be relatable for parents, but one used to say that during the five minutes while a child is chewing a cookie, a mother can manage to do a whole lot. My advice is: remember the time when you were actually able to do a whole lot in five minutes.”

Working from home is the reality for many at the moment, and preparing yourself and your team properly can be the difference between success and failure. Take the time initially to educate yourself and your colleagues on best practices, and remember that DataArt is here to help if you need more support!

For more WFH tips: https://bit.ly/3c2B6t9