HOW TO STAY POSITIVE WHEN WORKING FROM HOME
Working from home all the time, it might be getting you down and deflated – and that’s 100% normal considering the rollercoaster year we’ve had! So, the team at Seddon have put together some of the principles to help usher you to a healthier, more positive way of working from home.
Improve Your Routine
Starting your day with your ususal routine whilst working from home may feel unneccessary at first, but a routine ensures you have your rhythm for the day ahead.
Although it’s sooo tempting to steal an extra hour or so in bed instead of your normal time, this may affect you throughout the working day. Try using your normal “commute time” to work by relaxing, getting your work station ready and catch yourself a little break before you start your day.
Usual work space setting provide short little breaks which give the mind a rest from your work. This ranges from going to the kitchen to make a cuppa, chatting to a colleague or nipping to the vendick machine for a snack. Make sure you to take short breaks to keep yourself fresh.
Bad eating habits are so easy to pick up when working from a desk – so when your snack cupboard is a 2 second walk away from your work from home station, it can be a tempting to stuff your face at every given chance. Stay disciplined with your lunch breaks, and dont snack too often. A bottle of water on hand is always a great tip (4l per day minimum for the men reading this)
Dont get the lines blurred. Work time and personal time are two different things which can easily blend into one when you work from home. Try and stick to your normal working hours and once it’s time to switch off – unwind and relax.
Environment
Make a specialised workspace. Try and minimise distractions and the amount of people around you. Get your station ready with everything you need, close the door and zone in.
Make sure you’re comfortable. Making the bed the work station sounds tempting and quite comfy. However, creating your own workspace will help your body define the different spaces in your house. Nobody wants to go to bed and feel like they’re going to work!
Some distractions ultimately cannot be avoided, but finding ways to limit them will definately enhance your overall working from home experience. Discuss your needs with the people that you live with and try sharing your schedule so they know when you are free.
Connection
There are multiple online platforms to help stay conntected. Have you everheard of Microsoft Teams, Google Hangouts, Zoom Meetings or Whatsapp Groups? These platforms are perfect for touching base with your colleagues to see how theyre getting on.
Wellbeing
Whilst working from home definately has its benefits, It also has its downsides too. Isolation and lonliness being the two main factors of this.
However works best for you, staying socially connected to the world outside is crucial. Even if you think you are handling it well, there will be people out there who are struggling– a text or phone call could make all the difference.
Don’t forget to contact of your colleagues or managers about your concerns. instead of emailling them, try picking up the phone and giving them a call.
Lastly, be kind to youself. Be honest with how you are feeling and set goals to meet. This will keep you engaged and driven in your ongoing work from home life.