Due to the coronavirus outbreak, many of us are working from home today. For some, this opportunity is a real gift, for others, it is a punishment and a daily struggle with their own willpower.
Here are some useful tricks that will help you cope with working from home and make it more productive and comfortable.
Don’t work in bed
Under no circumstances do not lie in bed! Even if you are sure that you will be able to concentrate on work fully. Sooner or later, there will come a time when you feel that you are becoming more lethargic, and in the end, a little sleep will seem like a good idea… for you, but certainly not for your superiors.
Provide yourself with a separate space to work with, especially if you live with a partner or flatmates
Try to allocate yourself a separate workplace, ideally a separate room. So you can focus as much as possible on work tasks, and no one and nothing can distract you.
During the day, call your loved ones
Calls and pleasant conversations with your loved ones are guaranteed to improve your mood. The work will seem much simpler, and it will be easier for you to cope with it.
Try the “tomato” method
This is a well-known time management technique, according to which you need to use a timer to divide the work into intervals. Following this method, as a rule, a person works for 25-minute periods – “tomatoes”, accompanied by short breaks (about five minutes).
In simple words, you set a timer for 25 minutes, during which you work, without being distracted by anything. Then you rest for 3-5 minutes – call your loved ones, wash dishes, check social networks, etc. – and get back to work. And after every fourth “tomato,” you take a long break (15-30 minutes) – have lunch, walk with the dog, do exercises.
Take lunch breaks
If you work from home full-time, you may have noticed that you have a habit of skipping lunch. But the best option, in this case, is to abandon snacks at the computer and take a full break. Not only will you eat normally, but you’ll also disconnect from work and recover to start with renewed vigor.
Breathe in the fresh air
During the working day, getting fresh air is simply necessary. Go for a walk with the dog, walk around the house, go to the balcony or loggia, and stand for a couple of minutes, turning your face to the sun. Or work near a window so you can look outside from time to time, as well as get natural light in the room you’re in.
Keep a cardigan or blazer handy
Hang a cardigan, jacket, or blazer on the back of the chair so that in the event of an unexpected video call, do not run around the apartment and do not look for clothes with which you can cover the old home T-shirt.
Stick to your normal (pre-quarantine) regimen
Pretend that nothing has changed and keep acting like you’re going to work. Whether it’s a cup of aromatic coffee in the morning or a break at a certain time.
Of course, it’s pretty easy to get up much later and get on with work tasks as you have to. But it’s not exactly productive. Imagine that you are in the usual workplace, which means that you are reproducing your habits. In general, do what you usually do in the workplace so you don’t get knocked out.
Make your workplace comfortable
Perhaps you lack the most important thing for productive work from home – comfort. Equip your workplace to your liking, light a scented candle, put a bottle of water or other favorite drink next to it (we advise you to leave alcohol for the evening), place your laptop in front of the window. In general, do everything to make you feel really comfortable, and nothing can distract you.
Stretch
Take a few short breaks throughout the day, such as 10-15 minutes, to do some stretching exercises. Here’s a look: your neck and back will say “thank you”!
