These simple tips may help you working from home and feeling more productive along with taking care of your mental health. It’s time to “survive and thrive”..........
During the first lockdown I worked on getting into a regular routine. It took time to develop but eventually evolved, putting me in a good place to deal with the pressure of work and being aware that not everyone around you can get into a set routine. Working from home works if you establish a routine and it depends on the individual to develop what works best for them.
Set and stick to a routine.......... Set your alarm and get out of bed as if you were getting up for a normal days work. PJs or get dressed? I prefer to get dressed for the day. If you drive to work normally, why not use your travel time to go for a walk so you feel like you are leaving for work as normal.
Make a dedicated workspace.......... it’s really important that you try and create a workspace in order that you can work efficiently with minimal distractions. Have you carried out a workplace assessment? It’s worth doing to ensure you don’t suffer from any strains due to bad posture etc.
Eat and drink healthy.......... stay hydrated and maintain a normal eating pattern. Everyone mentions the lockdown weight gained, why not take the opportunity to eat fruit and vegetables and do some homemade cooking. Those take always will catch up with you, but there is nothing wrong having a treat now and again. Pizza is my love food, but so is the the home made cooking, especially range stews, better stop here before I get carried away...........
Stay connected.......... Social contact is really important, try and keep team relationships going, have virtual coffee breaks (Try and not to talk about work) as if you would in the workplace. Look out for each other and remember that everyone is reacting to the lockdown in different ways. Be kind, caring, listen and give everyone the opportunity to participate in group meetings. If you are struggling you must take action and talk or seek professional support. Don’t suffer in silence......
Finish your working day on time.......... This is another important factor when working from home, I find my productivity throughout the day is much better than being in the office. Rome was not built in a day and sometimes you have to leave some of your work for the following day. Try and set your priorities early in the day and plan to finish on time. Write lists and priorities them but if you are overwhelmed you must discuss realistic and smart goals.
The end of the working day........... your working day ends and it’s time for home. Why not go for a walk to replicate your journey home? Relax, why not spoil yourself and have a soak in the bath and switch off. This is a time for family time and doing the things you enjoy, start a hobby, read or catch up on some TV.
Everyone will have a different view on working from home, however since working more from home, have you thought about how you will adjust to returning to the office?
Here is a typical day for me during the working week, which has developed over the time we have started lockdown.
05:30am and my alarm goes off and it’s time to shake a leg.
06:00am time to take the dogs out and use the walk as part of my warm up for my run
06:30am STRAVA on, Fitbit set and BBC Gloucestershire booming through my earbuds and off I go for my run
07:45am that’s my 10km completed and it’s a shower and breakfast ready for my 08:30 start.
08:30am - 12:30pm emails, actions, calls, meetings, coffee break and a team catch up.
13:00 - 14:00 survive to thrive period, walking, emails and calls but out getting more fresh air
14:00 - 17:00 maybe 18:00 finish time following the afternoon work activities.
Final walk of the day and it’s time to relax. How’s your daily routine?
Like I said I have developed my routine over a period of time and recognise this is not a solution but hopefully should give you an idea of shaping your day Routine, routine, routine..................