With the uncertainty and unpredictability of the current Covid-19 pandemic, many people are setting up to work remotely for an indefinite period. Whilst working from home can be daunting for someone who is used to commuting to the office Monday to Friday, it need not be intimidating or overwhelming. Here are some tips to ensure you can work as comfortably as possible.
Keep a Routine
Don’t be tempted to sleep in late and start working five minutes after you get up. Set an alarm to ensure you wake up at a normal time. Give yourself time to eat a healthy breakfast and get dressed. Although it may seem pointless to wear your everyday clothes, it will feel more like a normal workday than if you stayed in pyjamas.
Set Up a Workstation
Whether it’s your dining room table or a home office, set up your laptop, screens and docking station in one place and work from there. Try not to work from you couch or your bed; it’s important to keep a distinction between your work area and the rest of your life, especially when it’s all happening under one roof. Following from this, make sure your screen is at a comfortable height and you have a comfortable chair, so you are not slouching.
Take Regular Breaks
It can be hard to stop working once you get in the ‘zone’ but remember to stop for a few minutes every once in a while. Get up and make yourself a cup of tea or coffee, rest your eyes and stretch. This will really help your concentration. Remember to eat a filling lunch too! Whether working at home or the office, we’ve all experienced the 4pm slump. Take the opportunity to get some fresh air – a few minutes away from your desk will really help you.
Exercise
Whether you’re normally a religious gym goer, or whether you haven’t run since Year 11 PE, getting exercise whist working remotely is so important. If it’s a nice day, go for a walk, jog or cycle outside and enjoy the fresh air. Remember to practice social distancing and separate 2m from other people. If it’s raining or you are unable to go outside, workout from home. There are thousands of videos on YouTube for home workouts for all levels of fitness, with or without equipment.
Take Time for Yourself
When you’re not physically leaving the office, it can be harder to stop working and avoid the temptation to send “just one more email”. If you are quarantining with your family, remember to make time to spend with each other. Make time for yourself and do something you enjoy whether it’s learning a new skill, cooking a delicious meal or taking a bubble bath. These are strange times we’re living in and quarantine is a unique experience for us all. Make sure you’re taking care of yourself.
Remember
Quarantine can be a lonely time for anyone. If you feel you are struggling, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the rest of your team.
The guidance above was created to distribute to our team in response to us going ‘fully remote’ and do our part to lessen the spread of Covid-19. While some of it may seem common sense, we felt it important to communicate with our team and you may do so too.
Discover more about our response to Covid-19 here.
You must be logged in to post a comment.