The Joys of working from home on lockdown
During the current crisis, many of us are learning the joys and woes that working from home can provide. On one hand the freedom of sending an email in your pajamas and getting your laundry completed, but on the other, juggling homeschooling and staying motivated. When there is no alternative it can certainly feel daunting and I know that many of my clients are struggling to stay driven and inspired.
Human beings young and old generally do well in structure and the majority of the country will be used to working within the realms of a 9-5 employment, but being faced with our computer screens and in a team that consists of me, myself and I, it certainly feels a little peculiar. So how do we make the most of it and keep our enthusiasm levels up
Create your ‘office’ space
Our homes are purposely designed as a sanctuary from work and the day to day stresses of normal life. We do have that cosy chair, that snack cupboard and chores to distract and disarm our usual business brains. However, if you designate an area in your house and ‘go to’ work every day this will help your mindset. If you have the luxury of a home office then great, if not, find a corner, add a plant or prop that changes your perspective and view it as your work space.
Dress for work
Set your daily routine close to the usual day-to-day timings you would usually follow. Get up and have breakfast or work out and get dressed for work by 9.00. I don’t expect you to sit at your kitchen table in a 3-piece suit but certainly changing out of your pyjamas will influence your mindset and help you have a far more ‘normal’ working day.
Hydrate
Keep a glass and a jug of water nearby so that you’re not tempted to procrastinate and distract yourself by heading to the kitchen every 30 mins. Ensure you’ve set yourself up to win so you can deep dive into the tasks at hand without interruption. This also applies to unnecessary notifications on your phone.
Work playlist
Personally, I find it easier to concentrate in silence, but some people thrive with music. This sets a different work atmosphere – go for something chilled. The same song can act as a trigger to your brain and start associating music with the time to focus on work.
Keep connected and take breaks
Reward yourself for good behaviour and have a quick virtual ten min coffee break with a colleague or take the opportunity to text your best mate. As a rule of thumb we should never really be staring at a computer screen for longer than an hour without a quick break or stretch to break it all up. Take moments to gently stretch your back, neck and hamstrings, perhaps even a roll down to loosen your body up.
Stay Healthy
Stock up the fridge with healthy snacks and pre plan work lunches so that you’re no tempted to graze all day. Keep moving; perhaps for your lunch break you could go on a gentle walk outside to de-stress your mind. Remember to breathe – there are lots of breathing exercises on YouTube to help you focus on better breathing. Meditate where possible too. All of the above will keep your spirits up on lockdown.
Pack up at the end of the day
It is important to keep some boundaries in your mind over work time and personal time. You’ve reached the end of your working day and are off the clock so put those emails down, pack that laptop away and turn your work phone off.
Reward yourself
You’ve got through the day and achieved something so play some music, do an online exercise class, schedule a Zoom call with your best friends and work on a delicious dinner. Its essential to wind down from your working day when you’re working remotely and staring at the same four walls, especially if you are home schooling at the same time.
Remember these are not usual circumstances so be gentle with yourself and colleagues. This crisis means different things to different people and anxiety and health and money worries could be triggering all sorts of strange or unusual behaviour.
If you or your team have children, be prepared and be mutually understanding that there will absolutely be disruptions. The normal rules no longer apply. Working from home is not a choice but a must and its important to remember that remote working is the nation managing the best we can in a crisis and we are all doing our best. We don’t have our usual resources and routines so just be especially kind where possible, you and your colleagues will thank each other for it in the long run.