Tips To Work From Home And Stay Sane

Working from home sounds like a dream for many 9-to-5 office employees. They see you as someone who sleeps until noon and has the freedom to start their day with a cup of coffee, browsing cats on social media, picking world maps to buy on Amazon, or simply luxuriating in bed. Well, it’s only partly true. The reality is that remote work is not for everyone. Too much freedom and absence of colleagues and a boss makes a lot of them unmotivated and less productive. Let’s see how you can deal with your work-from-home routine and feel happy.

Separate Personal Life and Work

It’s crucial to have adequate space for work in your apartment or house. If there’s a separate room in your place that you can turn into a home office – excellent! Thus, you will have a setting that will be equipped with all you need for work without making you feel unproductive or distracting you from the tasks at hand. If you lack space, make sure to pick a comfy corner in a kitchen, living room, or even bedroom to have an imitation of an office.

Dress for Success!

It’s no wonder that you’re imagining your remote work in pajamas and your fluffy slippers. But that’s a very bad idea that will most likely keep you unmotivated. There’s no need to put on your office outfit. However, it is better to dress as if you’re about to go out in order to keep your productivity, motivation, and inspiration at the right level. Thus, your brain will have a message, “We’re in the working mode!”.

Set Adequate Work Hours

Whether you work for 5, 6, 7, or 8 hours a day, make sure to set working hours and stick to your schedule. The most important thing here is to have a clear routine and not overwork it. Chances are you will be tempted to spend “just one more hour” on your laptop and (sooner or later!) end up stressed and facing an inevitable burnout.

Take Breaks Regularly

Short breaks are important to avoid burnout and unwind a little bit during a busy day. For example, you can benefit from the well-known Pomodoro Technique. It includes working for 25 minutes. Then you take a 5-minute break. Then, you get back to the other 25 minutes of work. This simple strategy can help you remain productive for as many hours as you need and have a solid focus.

Have Regular Check-ins with Colleagues

Staying disconnected from the office can be quite challenging for employees who got used to lively corporate ambiance. That is why it is essential to stay connected with your team through chats, video calls, and other means of communication in order to maintain a strong sense of team unity and have the necessary dose of social interaction.

Learn to Say NO

If you happen to live with your family, let them know your work hours and ask them for no interruptions during the time unless there’s an emergency. Your task is to set boundaries to make sure your family and friends know that your work is not the area that should be mixed with personal issues.

Include Healthy Habits into Routine

Working in a home office means literally spending the entire day at your desk. This, in turn, is the right way to a wide range of health conditions caused by the sedentary lifestyle. To avoid that perspective, make sure to make regular workouts part of your day. Choose healthy snacks and meals, drink water, and (as we’ve already said above) take regular breaks. Taking care of your body is essential to maintain the levels of energy needed to cope with the whole scope of work to-dos.