During this unprecedented situation, we thought it would be helpful to provide some tips for anyone who is new to working from home. See below for information on how to make the best of your new home working arrangement!
- Try to stick to your regular routine as much as possible
If you usually get up at 7am for work, get up at the same time. Stick to your morning routine – whether that be a quick shower and a coffee or walking the dog and eating breakfast. Take your lunch break at the same time you usually would. Finish work at the usual time and resist the temptation to check emails after hours. By sticking to your routine, you will keep the work life balance separate, even when working from home.
- Set up a designated work space
This tip may be difficult for those with limited space, but if possible, set up a makeshift desk at home where you can focus on your work without distractions. This will also help to keep a healthy work/life balance, as when you leave your “work space” you can relax and enjoy your home as you usually would.
- Eat a healthy diet
Eating well is very important for maintaining your energy levels and ensuring you do not succumb to lethargy in this irregular working pattern. Try to keep to healthy snacks during the day and keep your portion sizes to the same size you would usually prepare. It may help to make your lunch the night before and place it in your lunchbox as you would on a regular working day.
- Ensure you get enough sleep
Keeping to your regular sleeping pattern is important for your circadian rhythm and for maintaining your routine. If you sleep in later and go to sleep later, it will affect your energy levels during the day. If you start to find it difficult to sleep, try to fit in some extra exercise during the day to compensate for the steps you would usually take around the office. YouTube has many exercise routines available that you can try.
- Take regular breaks
It’s important to take regular breaks, especially as during the workday you would probably make a couple of hot drinks and leave your desk a number of times to converse with colleagues. Ensure you take regular breaks from your workspace or computer to rest your eyes and resist fatigue. Set an alarm every 60-90 minutes if it helps to have a reminder.
- Stay in touch with your colleagues
There are so many ways to stay in touch with your colleagues online now, from MS Teams to WhatsApp groups. Support each other during this time and talk about the successes and challenges you all experience together. This will ensure you feel part of the team and nobody feels isolated, as solitary working is usually something chosen by the individual and not enforced by extreme circumstances.
- Be realistic with your expectations and communicate any difficulties you may face
Understand that you may experience technical difficulties as you will not have access to your office space and be realistic in your capabilities during this time. You may have to adapt your working hours to suit children, a partner also working from home in a confined space and lots of other challenging factors. Remember that this is not forever, and do not pressure yourself to conform to your usual standards of work if this is not possible. Communicate your difficulties to your manager and ask for the help and support you need to complete your essential tasks during this time.
- Remember – we are all in this together!
This is an extraordinary time we are all living through together and everyone is doing the best they can. We are all in this together, and we will rise to the challenges we face if we learn to rely on each other and support each other.
It’s nice to be nice!
