While it may have felt like a novelty before the COVID-19 pandemic, working from home is an everyday reality for many of us now. In fact, many companies have given employees the green light to work from home permanently if they choose. And many companies are establishing a hybrid model, where employees can work from home and at the office.
Making working from home work long term means creating a suitable environment and healthy habits to ensure we’re focused and productive during the workday. These productivity and time-management tips from Every Mind Matters, a mental health advice service offered through Britain’s National Health Service, can help.
1. Set a routine and stick to it
It can be stressful walking the line between work and personal time, so schedules are a must. Get up and have breakfast at the same time each day, and stick to an alternative “commute” time, in which you exercise, read, or listen to music, before starting work. Most importantly, when your work day stops, stop working. Shut down, stop checking emails, and focus on home life.
2. Make a dedicated work space
If you haven’t gotten around to it yet, now’s the time to find a quiet, dedicated work space away from other people and distractions. Once you designate an area as your work space, make it as comfortable as possible and make sure you have everything you need in one place.
3. Take a break
It can feel like we need to be “on” all the time and continuously available to colleagues now that they can’t see us in person. But this is no good if it’s affecting your mental health. So take regular screen breaks and a lunch break to manage your stress levels. Taking time to focus on something else, whether that’s a walk or a coffee, will boost your productivity.
4. Stay connected
Although working from home does have benefits, you may also feel more isolated. Human interaction is important for our mental well-being, so set up video calls or pick up the phone. Speak to colleagues or your manager if you’re struggling and ask others how they’re doing. Schedule in a digital coffee break or Friday online get-together to stay socially as well as professionally connected.
5. Set boundaries
Setting boundaries with other members of your household is key to mental well-being while working at home. Yes, there’s more flexibility, but you might also have to deal with children who think you’re just there for them. So speak to your family or those you live with about your needs and share your schedule – and do the same with colleagues and managers.
6. Brush up on time management
Improving your time management skills can help you feel more in control, more focused, and less stressed. That includes setting goals, writing to-do lists that both prioritize and set out timings for tasks, and practicing the four Ds:
- Delete: This applies to around half the emails you get.
- Do: If it’s urgent or can be completed quickly.
- Delegate: If someone else can deal with it better.
- Defer: Set aside time later to spend on tasks that will take longer to deal with.
7. Think long term
You might be working from home for some time to come or even permanently, so it’s worth exploring different software and ways of working to boost collaboration with others – as well as thinking about your home working set-up.
8. Be kind to yourself
Remember, this is an unusual situation, so be kind to yourself and acknowledge you might not be as productive as you usually would be. Be realistic about what you can achieve given the circumstances – and relax when your work is done.
These suggestions will help you be more productive at home. But what can you do to make your work space as safe and comfortable as possible? Here are some tips from Trinity Health on setting up your desk to maximize comfort, limit fatigue and ensure efficiency:
- Maintain good posture by sitting tall in your chair and keeping your head aligned with your neck.
- While sitting, try to keep your knees at 90 degrees when your feet are flat on ground.
- Try keeping your elbows at 90 degrees when you’re typing on your keyboard.
- Make sure your chair’s arm rests are free of sharp edges.
- Use a wrist rest to avoid poor wrist posture.
- Keep a distance of about 18-24 inches between you and your monitor.
- Set your screen or monitor at eye-level or about 10-15 degrees below.
- Make sure you have adequate overhead and task lighting.
- Position your task lighting on the opposite side of your writing hand.
- Look away from your computer screen periodically to help relieve eyestrain.
- Use a headset or other device for conference calls.
Working from home may not be what you planned, but setting up your at-home work space in a safe, comfortable way and learning to adapt to and maximize that new reality will help you make the most of it.