Coronavirus (COVID-19) has changed everything, and we all have to adjust to new ways of living and working. Millions around the world have made a sudden transition to remote work due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This has become a challenge about maintaining employee productivity. Many employees who work remotely for the first time are likely to struggle to preserve healthy boundaries between their professional and personal lives. Even if you have done it before, working from home because of coronavirus might feel like a whole new world.
After all, you’re in your personal space, not your usual professional environment. It might be for an extended period of time and you are not sure how long it will last. However, this means lots of us are dealing with an unusual challenge of working from home for the first time or full-time.
Here are few simple tips that will help you while working at home, to get your work done, feel more productive and to take care of your mental health in these difficult times.
- Set up a workspace at home
One of the biggest challenge when it comes to working remotely is keeping your work and home lives separately. If you never fully focused on work, your work productivity will suffer and your home life as well. Therefore, try to set up a separate workspace at home.
Try to make your workspace comfortable with a chair you can sit in for eight hours a day and a few decorations. Find an area with good natural lighting if possible.
Entering your workspace will help you turn “on” at the beginning of the day and get down to work. That’s why it’s also important not to spread yourself across your home. Sitting down in this space sends a clear signal to your brain that it’s time to focus.
Once you complete your workday, resist to check in with any professional obligations until you begin work again.
- Create a morning routine
What is your morning routine indicates? It is you are about to start work. Deciding you will sit down at your desk and start work at a certain time and creating a routine that guides you into the chair can take as the first step in your morning routine. Therefore a morning routine can be more powerful than a clock at helping you get started each day.
- Get dressed
It might seem like a simple tip, but it is an important one. Designate some work clothes, even if they are more comfortable than your typical professional attire. Getting dressed also applies to other appearance-based tasks. If you prefer to do your hair and makeup, then go for it, even if it’s only for you. You don’t need to go as all out as you do when you go to the office, but waking up and taking care of your appearance can go a long way toward helping you feel like you’re taking care of yourself before starting work.
- Set Ground Rules With the People in Your Space
Set ground rules with other people in your home. Ask them not to disturb during working hours. If you have children who come home from school while you’re still working, they need clear rules about what they can and cannot do during that time. This will helps you to balance your work with regular homework routine with family members.
- Move around
Set up a few spaces in your house where you can work, if creating a mobile workspace helps you concentrate. Giving yourself a set amount of time in each location may help you manage your time. This may help your posture since you’ll change up your seated position.
- Get ready for the day
Take the time to go about your normal morning routine, take a shower, and get dressed for the day. It might be returning home after a jog. It might be making a cup of coffee and taking the time to actually enjoy it before you start looking at your to do list. Here you can come up with a detailed to-do list that’s broken down into categories based on importance.
- Set a Schedule
Create a daily schedule or generate a digital schedule and jot it down with pen and paper, and stick it in a visible place. Come up with a detailed to-do list which categorized based on importance.
- Don’t Hesitate to Ask for What You Need
If you’re working from home unexpectedly due to coronavirus, ask for what you need within reason. If you are employed by a company or organization that supports your work-from-home setup, request the equipment you need as soon as you start working from home such as the right monitor, keyboard, mouse, printer, or software.
- Pay attention to loved one’s emotional needs
Your children may need some extra love, affection, and attention during this time. They may have a difficult time adjusting to a new. Play calming music throughout your home to help stimulate feelings of relaxation. Stay connected with them every time when you are free. Try to explain the current situation to them and help them whenever they need advices from you.
- Stay informed, not overwhelmed
Allocate a set amount of time each morning or evening to read the news. This will helps you to stay informed without feeling overwhelmed.
- Maintain a Separate Phone Number
Set up a phone number that you only use for calls with colleagues and clients. This will helps you to manage your work-life balance.
- “Show Up” to Meetings and Be Heard
You will definitely have to take part in video conferences and conference calls, but it is a good idea to attend optional meetings too. Be sure to speak up during the meeting so everyone knows you are on the call. If your company is using zoom like tools to arrange meetings, you can learn how to use these new tools during your free times.
- Get in touch
Be honest with how you’re feeling. Get in touch with a counsellors and other mental health professionals or find someone who is supportive and can help you manage your feelings, during this COVID-19 pandemic period.
- Clear your space
Organize and clean your workspace at least once a week. Create a calm atmosphere using essential oil diffusers. This will helps you to boost your energy, mood, and brain function.
- Use headphones
You can eliminate auditory distractions by using headphones. Choose music that helps you focus, and that you use specifically while you’re working. Develop a plan and communicate with your partners during working hours through voice calls. This way, you can minimize sounds and distractions from outside environment during working hours.
- Stay active
Take occasional breaks outside, even if you spend a lot of time working at home. Add more exercise into your daily routine and make a point to get outside if you can. This will help you to change your continuous work routine and give a space to calm your mind.
- Look for Training Opportunities
You might miss out on training and skills development courses that are taught in person, due to work from home. Your company might even forget to add you to its online training courses. There are plenty of resources can be found in the internet were we can gain training online. If we can use our free time to learn new things, this will help to get training and spend time with colleagues when both are attending same training courses.
- Take a short walk
Take a 20-minute walk once or twice a day, especially when you’re feeling tired or boring at the work.
- Use a Pomodoro method
Pomodoro method is a time management technique. To try it, set a timer for 25 minutes and then take a 5-minute break. After four 25-minute sessions, take a break that’s 15 to 30 minutes. Continue these intervals throughout the day.
- End Your Day With a Routine
Just as you start your day, you should have a habit of ending the day successfully. Before get out from the working place don’t forget to clean the space and arrange the work and to do list for the next day. This will help you to start the beginning of the next day in a clam and clean environment.
The bottom line
These are few recommendations that can help workers to maintain boundaries between their work and their personal life and to avoid burnout in the long run. All this doesn’t just apply to the workday and people you work with. You can use these tips for day today works during this pandemic era.
When the world is freaking out, it is more important to connect, and take care of one another. Be realistic about what you can achieve during this period and relax when your work is done.