Positively Manage Working From Home — Tailored Thinking

For many people around the world, working from home has become the new norm.

The last 9 months has changed everything and we have all had to make changes to the way we live or work. However, not all of these changes have been negative. A recent study found that 88% of employees who had worked from home wanted to continue to do so [1]. So perhaps, some change is a good thing?

Although, working from home has its perks, like no more commute or uncomfortable work clothes, it has also brought feelings of stress, anxiety and uncertainty.

We want to share 5 ways to stay positive while working from home to enable you to feel happy, healthy and perform at your best.

Be warned: it starts with getting dressed!

Get dressed

Whilst staying in your pyjamas all day sounds very appealing, getting dressed in the morning can really help you maintain a routine and prepare you psychologically for work. The brain associates pyjamas with inactivity which can make us feel more lethargic. Starting your day by getting dressed will help you maintain a positive frame of mind.

Create a clear and positive workspace

Although it is super tempting to stay in bed and grab your laptop, it’s important you have a designated work area even if that is a makeshift desk or a kitchen table. A dedicated workspace will give you accountability to stick to a routine and get some work done.

Also keep your workspace clear, as mess can clutter our minds and add to our stresses. A clear working space may enable you to feel more organised.

Secondly, we perform at our best when we are happy, healthy and engaged. Find a space at home you feel comfortable in, away from distractions if you can. If possible, somewhere near a window.

Working from home may mean less opportunity to get outdoors. With the dark nights a fixture in the UK, it’s difficult to find time for natural light, fresh air and our nature fix. Plants are a great way to fill that hole. Studies have shown that being around plants boosts our mood and wellbeing [2]. So, pop a plant on your windowsill and get out for some fresh air if you can.

Plan your day

Formulate a plan! It’s easy to fall out of routine when there’s no official structure to the day. A plan can be the glue that holds our day together and keeps us on track. Likewise, a schedule enables us to separate the larger tasks into smaller blocks, which can make them feel more achievable and less overwhelming.

Research suggests that we perform better when we write down what needs doing [3]. Putting together a plan or a to-do list can really help boost motivation levels in order to tick off those tasks on our to-do list. When we complete a task and tick it off this generates a sense of achievement.

Reward yourself with micro breaks

It’s important not to stay glued to your screen all day. Micro breaks let us recharge and reboot. Getting up and away from your screen for as little as 2-5 minutes can help with overall productivity levels and contribute to the reduction of stress levels. A micro break includes anything from a quick stretch, grabbing a coffee or a look out the window!

Be kind to yourself

Don’t forget to be gentle and kind to yourself. These are unusual times and it’s perfectly okay to not be as productive as you normally are or to have an off day. Call a friend, go for a walk, make a cup of tea and most importantly look after yourself!