Are you used to an office enviroment but have had to adapt to working from home this year?
It can start to feel difficult to see where work ends and your evening begins.
Our teams are continuing to work from home to keep everyone safe so have come up with some simple tips to help everyone get out of the bad habits that you may have picked up and get back into the swing of working from home.
- Create a dedicated working space
Get back to the space you created at the beginning of lockdown. If it’s possible, make it a place you can close the door on when the working day is over. This will enable you to switch off and make a clear distinction between home and work.
If you do not have an option of a dedicated working space just make sure you switch off and tidy everything away so you can enjoy your evenings without being distracted by work.
- Set aside your soft office
Working from home may have meant you have ended up in a ‘soft office’ where your couch has replaced your chair and your lap is now your desk.
This isn’t good for your posture so find a more sturdy working space.
Pick a seat that supports your back and allows both feet to rest on the ground
Use a stand or a stack of books to bring your screen up to eye level
If using a keyboard and mouse they should be in front of you close by
- Reinstate boundaries
You may have put boundaries in place when you first started working from home but they may have now fizzled out. If they have, take some time to chat to who you live with, discuss how you have felt most comfortable and the ways you worked which made you most productive.
Make sure you monitor how long tasks are taking. You could use a laundry cycle as a way to time how long you have focused on one piece of work or an app tracker to ensure you are getting the most out of your day.
- Take a break
If you have been working from home for a while now you may have forgotten what a usual day in the office looked like. It’s easy to get carried away when you’re working but we hope you haven’t forgotten to take a break.
Try planning your days in the morning and add in breaks where you may have had them when working in the office. Use the time as a chance to stretch your legs, prepare some comforting soup or just give your eyes some time away from the screen.
- Stay Connected
If you are used to and enjoy an office environment, working from home for so long could feel isolating. You’re not alone as your other colleagues may feel the same so schedule times for a walking meeting.
If you know you do not need to be in front of a screen for a meeting why not use it as a chance to stretch your legs. Plug in your headphones, put your trainers on and take a walk while participating in the conversation.
We hope that our tips will help you recreate a better working space that encourages productivity and creativity.
We would also like to remind you to be kind to yourself while adapting to changes that are out of your control.
You are doing the best you can, keep it up!