With a lot of us now working from home and spending an extended amount of time inside, we are all on the look-out for ways to keep us feeling good, working better and well, a little less distracted.
Here at FC, we’re getting used to working from home life too, so we wanted to share some of the ways we’ve been keeping positive and productive…
Keep to your normal working hours
During these times it’s easy to slip into the bad habit of working longer hours, especially when you no longer actually have to leave the office to go home. It’s more important than ever to stick to your set working hours, making sure you get a positive work life balance. You should get into the routine of logging off your remote access and emails at the end of the day and then relaxing in the evening. From your once a day walk or enjoying a new Netflix season, don’t forget to switch off and enjoy your free time.
Get some fresh air
Working from home shouldn't mean you stay cooped up indoors all day. While we are on lockdown, use your once a day walk to get yourself some fresh air and stretch those legs. This is a great way to de-stress, plus you’ll come back to work with a fresh pair of eyes to take on your tasks for the rest of the day.
Get dressed
The prospect of staying in your PJs all day everyday might be an exciting part of working from home, but it’s easy to fall into the work in your PJs trap. Getting washed and dressed is one of the best ways to improve your state of mind and will prepare you for the working day ahead. From throwing on your favourite tee and joggers combination or switching it up with a floaty dress, getting dressed is key for your working from home routine.
Take regular breaks
Taking regular breaks is so important whilst working from home. It’s so easy to sit at your desk for hours without getting up and having some time out. Take regular screen and desk breaks, plus move around just as you would do in the office – this will make you so much more productive.
Stay connected
Whether it’s with your work colleagues, friends or family, it’s so important to stay connected during these unpredictable times. Though there’s no real replacement for face to face conversations, with the endless amount of different virtual call tools from Zoom to House Party, keeping that connection has never been so easy. Make sure your'e scheduling regular calls with your work colleagues or even dedicating time at the end of the week for a team fizz Friday – it’s so simple but so effective. That quick five minute catch up or team call is a great way to keep your spirits up.
Make a WFH playlist
Is the silence in your flat driving you crazy? Missing the office radio or the over the desk chatter? Break the silence by tuning into or creating a work from home playlist. From discovering new favourites to shuffling old classics, creating a working from home playlist is a great way to boost your mood and keep you focused throughout the day.
Rediscover a favourite hobby
After a busy week of working from home, your evenings and weekends are so important for ‘me-time’ and doing activities that bring you joy, like baking and exercise. We think you’ll agree, that everyone and anyone is now either baking banana bread or going live on Instagram, so now’s the time to rediscover an old favourite hobby. From cook-alongs and hundreds of recipe ideas to reigniting your love of fitness with Instagram live workouts – there’s so much free content on social media right now for you to enjoy and utilise.
Get excited for dinner
With a lot of empty diaries and no plans for a while, dinner is something we all look forward to all day every day at the moment. Get out your old recipe books or search online for new and exciting dishes, and start meal planning for the week ahead. Not only does meal planning take the stress out of food shopping and cooking, it gives you something to look forward to after a long day working from home. Though it might be a little harder to get a hold of some ingredients, this is the time to step out of your comfort zone and get more creative with your cooking.
