Working from home is crucial in times of crisis, as people are encouraged to stay at home. Where possible, employees are encouraged or even required to work from home for an indeterminate amount of time.
Most traditional office employees are new to the work from home lifestyle and need to change some habits and routines to make working from home easier. Staying healthy in these times is especially important, so here are some ways on how to do so at home.
Maintain regular hours by setting a schedule for work and stick to it as closely as possible. Sometimes, this may not be possible as meetings could be run late or you may have to start work early to accommodate different time zones. When this happens, try to sleep in a little more the next morning or end work earlier to make up for it.
Creating a routine also helps maintain work life balance by having clear guidelines on when to start and end work. Wake up at a certain time each workday and do something to prepare you for the day, whether it be making a cup of coffee or going for a morning jog.
After completing your morning routine and when you feel more awake, sit down and start work. Going through the routine everyday will eventually settle you into the pattern of working from home. A routine can be more powerful than a clock at helping you get started each day.
Ideally, employees should also have a dedicated working space when working from home. Having a computer dedicated to work is not only more secure for the company, it also allows employees to separate their personal files and work files. However, this is not always the case as having two computers and a dedicated office room is not feasible for most workers.
Instead, dedicate a desk and some peripherals for work use only. When your laptop is linked to the monitor and external keyboard, make sure to only use it for work. When unlinked and sitting in the living room or bedroom, it is for personal use.
After work, remember to put away work-related items to help your brain realise that the workday is over. This will help you feel disengaged from work and enjoy better work life balance. You will also feel refreshed when returning to work instead of feeling burnt out.
