2020 caught everyone by surprise – it has been quite the year. One of the biggest changes in day to day life, for better or worse, is the shift to working from home, which has affected a huge portion of the population in the UK. It can be difficult to implement a regular daily routine throughout the week and stay focussed on the task at hand. With Christmas just around the corner, what’s to stop us from getting distracted and looking up ideas for festive decor?! We’ve rounded up our top tips that can help make working from home a little easier.
Commute Around the Block
Many may be thankful that they no longer need to spend hours on public transport each day going to and from work. We’ve essentially been given back some time to focus on other daily tasks. It can be togch to go directly from bed to breakfast and straight onto the laptop, however. Our first tip for an easier workday is to get in some form of a commute in the morning. A quick walk in the fresh air before you open your laptop will help refresh your mind and wake you up in the morning. Likewise, a swift stroll around the block or in the park after work is a great way to unwind at the end of the day.
Organise your Work Space
Having a comfortable work space is a luxury not everyone can implement at home. Depending on the living situation, whether with family, house mates or alone, anyone who had to spontaneously move to a home office environment has had to make do. Whether you are at the kitchen table, on the sofa, or at a dedicated desk for work, it can be helpful to ensure it is well organised, tidy and comfortable. Take time to arrange and set up your space, and invest in office equipment such as a printer or desk, or anything that allows you to do your work without any problems.
Quick Tips for WFH
When working from your kitchen or bedroom it can be difficult to focus and, while household tasks such as cleaning the bathroom or popping a wash on might seem productive, they can take you away from your job and work “to-do” list. Once your work space and daily routine are in order, the following quick tips can also help to make the work day a little easier at home.
- Take regular breaks
- Check in with a colleague over a coffee online
- Close your laptop promptly when the work day ends and don’t open it on weekends
- Don’t forget to drink water, aim for 2.5 L per day
- Take a lunch break
- Try a 30 minute yoga or HIIT class at lunch time – it’s been proven to be better than coffee for providing a boost of energy
- Virtual meetings can be draining! Monitor your Zoom time and limit it if possible
- Invest in an office chair, monitor and equipment, or ask your employer to provide them if possible
The opportunity to work from home has been welcomed by lots of people this year and almost a quarter of the workforce is now working from home. The shift has, however, been quite difficult for some employees. The rapid switch from working in an office to working from your own house or apartment came as something of a shock and it has truly been a year of adjusting. Implementing a couple of small, practical tips as mentioned above can help brighten the working day and ensure that the work-life balance doesn’t tilt too far in the wrong direction.