Are You in the Market for a Shed?
Carole Spiers ?? Stress, Resilience and Wellbeing Public Speaker
Showing organisations how to improve their bottom line by reducing stress and improving mental health and wellbeing. | Founder International Stress Awareness Week. | Experienced Virtual Presenter.
The market in sheds, shepherds huts, and luxury garden offices is booming. When the walk to the office is a mere 10 yards who can resist. The working from home boundaries is becoming blurred as children are homeschooled and there is competition for the dining room table.
There seems to be no beginning and no end to the working day in this environment so we are all looking for creative solutions that will restore calm to the home and reset the boundaries between home and work. Routine is so important both for those working from home and for the children in the family coping with school work.
Getting into a routine
Falling out of bed and moving across the room to the computer is not a recipe for a harmonious working environment. The concept of waking up, getting dressed and going to work or school should not be lost.
A routine of getting up, having breakfast, and then doing a short bout of exercise like a walk around the block or merely just stretching exercises will get the day off to a good start and fire the brain up. Where possible everyone should depart to their own space to carry out a timetable of tasks to include breaks. 'Do not interrupt signs' may be needed when zoom conference calls take place but above all, there should be respect for each other's space.
Breaking up the day
For the home worker who is plagued by distractions and background noise, the shed or home office offers a calm environment to focus on work. However, it can become claustrophobic and lonely so be sure to break up your day with trips around the garden or to the house. At the end of the day be sure to tidy your workspace, remove coffee cups and empty bins. There will be no cleaner visiting this space!
Finally, close your laptop. Turn off your monitor. When you have done that it is time to switch off!
Where there is no option to the dining room table to work from be sure to set a time to clear away computers and papers and restore normality. Set the table for your evening meal and bring down the shutters on work. Remember that work-life balance is so important for all the family.