Working from home doesn’t mean cutting yourself off from the outside world or driving yourself crazy with constant notifications. There is a middle ground.
Here are some tips from our very own Anna Fletcher on how to stay productive, happy and healthy in your home office.
Communicate clearly and regularly:
- Turn on notifications
- Ask colleagues and clients questions to better understand expectations
- Don’t be afraid to ask again if you need clarity
- Set up regular calls and video calls – you’ll be grateful for seeing other human faces
Create your own workspace:
This can be hard for some home situations, but if you don’t already have a dedicated office, try to carve out a corner of a room or dining table that is your space during the working week. Make sure the area has:
- Natural light
- Fresh air – keep those windows open even just a fraction
- A comfortable chair
- As big a screen as possible adjusted to the correct height
Carve out your own time:
- Agree ‘Focus Hours’ with your manager, when you’re not on call
- Use Do Not Disturb on your devices
- Only have one emergency mode of communication during Focus Hours
Find your routine:
- Keep your morning routine – get dressed and ready for work
- Where possible, stick to your normal office routine, including start times and break times
- Log off at your normal finish time
- Be transparent with your availability by updating your calendars
Look after yourself:
- Stand up and stretch your legs regularly or do simple yoga poses
- Meditate using apps such as Headspace or Simple Habit
- Have a big bottle of water nearby to sip regularly
- On your breaks, leave your workstation and ideally get some fresh air
Stay connected and positive during the working day:
- Reach out to your team if you find areas of your work more difficult to complete at home
- Talk to your manager and colleagues for help and support
- Keep on track of team goals by regularly checking in with your colleagues
- Stay positive and have a laugh with your teammates wherever possible!
Remember to switch off:
Having your work at home can mean you feel obliged to answer emails and carry on working at all hours. Make sure you know when to start and stop.
- Keep a record of your working hours
- Don’t blur work and leisure time – be online or offline, otherwise you’ll never relax and recharge