How to work from home without losing your mind | Microbyte

How to work from home without losing your mind

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.

woman with laptop and coffee

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

desk with natural light, vase of flowers and laptopCreate 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

woman smiling at her desk

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

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