Working from home has now become the new normal for most of us where we're trying to establish a new routine whilst maintaining a positive work-life balance. There’s no doubt that keeping up productivity levels in a new working environment can prove challenging along with the necessity of looking our physical and mental health and wellbeing.
Many of us are struggling to differentiate work and home life now that it has merged into one so we’ve listed our top 7 tips for you to maximise your productivity and look after your wellbeing while working from home:
1. Set your alarm
You might be tempted to set your alarm for 8.55am and roll straight out of bed to your laptop, but you’ll feel much better for setting your alarm as you would have done pre-covid and creating a routine to get yourself ready for the workday ahead. Use the time to go for a walk in the morning to improve the blood flow to the brain and make you feel more alert throughout the day.
2. Find a dedicated workspace
Find a quiet spot where you’re least likely to be disturbed, whether it be a separate room or the dining room table but, as tempting as it may be, avoid working from bed or on the sofa. Treat the time and space like you’re actually in the office and ask your friends and families not to disturb you during this time.
3. Dress for the job
Working from our pyjamas might be a novelty for those new to working from home but this could have a detrimental effect on our productivity levels and our minds ability to separating the workspace from our ‘homespace’. Have a shower in the morning and change out of your pyjamas into your workwear to get you into work mode. There’s nothing more satisfying than changing into your comfies once you know you’ve clocked off for the day.
4. Plan your day
It’s easy to get distracted when you’re working remotely and so by starting your day with a to-do list and setting realistic deadlines as well as breaktimes, you’ll have more chance of keeping on track of your workload.
5. Take regular breaks
It’s easy to get lost in your screen but it’s important to make sure you’re getting up from your chair to have regular breaks and stretch out your body. If you’re guilty of sitting at your desk for 8 hours straight, set an alarm for every hour and step away from your workspace for a few minutes.
6. Be sociable
Now there aren’t any after work drinks or chats by the coffee machine, we’re missing the social interactions that we would normally get at the office. This can alleviate feelings of isolation and loneliness and actually make you less productive so why not arrange a virtual coffee break or virtual post work drink with your colleagues for a non-work chat.
7. Don’t overwork
Set structure to your day by designating set working hours and stick to them. It’s tempting to eat at your desk and work through your lunch break or just finish those last bits on the couch in the evening it’s important to set boundaries between work and home life and allow yourself the time to unwind in other parts of your home.