May 31, 2022
Work from home can be both a blessing and a curse. As nice as it is staying in the comfort of your own home, it can feel quite lonely at times. Especially when compared to being in the office. Between grabbing lunch with your coworkers, or seeing others at the copy machine, these little moments that occur in the traditional work atmosphere can be a huge motivator. Although things at home may be different from the office, you can still create an environment that allows you to achieve your best work while working remotely. Taking different approaches to your day such as establishing a routine, moving around, and taking screen breaks can drastically improve your physical and mental well-being.
Creating a routine is one of the most important things you can do while working from home. Normally before going into the office, you spend the majority of your time getting ready and commuting to work. Now that you have some extra time on your hands, it's important to establish a remote-friendly routine. It's also crucial to remember to keep up with your routine in order to make it a habit. If you're someone who likes to get up early, exercising before you begin working can be a game-changer. Most people acknowledge feeling much better throughout the day after moving their workout to the morning.
If you're someone who prefers to save their workout for later in the day, prepping a nutritious breakfast can be extremely beneficial. When going into the office, it can be hard to have enough time in the morning to consume a healthy homemade breakfast. More often than not, most people end up stopping for coffee or a breakfast sandwich. With the extra time you have in the morning to prep yourself, a delicious breakfast can start your day off wonderfully. Not only will your body be getting all of the nutrients it needs, but eating breakfast will also increase your energy levels in the morning.
Setting up an office space for yourself is a great way to stay organized and motivated. Instead of working from your kitchen table, couch, or bed, establishing a given space to do your work is great for keeping focused. It's also a fantastic way to have all of your belongings in one place. You’ll never have to worry about losing any of your important paperwork or belongings. Prioritizing an office space in your home can make a major impact on your productivity and mood throughout the day.
As you pick which room you want to use for your dedicated office, make sure that the part of the house will allow you to be productive. Doing something as simple as a WiFi speed test in this area of the house will show you how strong your connection will be. The last thing you want is to have a choppy connection in your new home office. If you do find that your new office is out of the router’s range, adding in a WiFi range extender is something you will want to do.
Besides looking at the tech capabilities of your new office, it would also be a good idea to consider lighting when you are setting up your office space. As you begin to visualize your office, try to pick a room with good natural lighting. Finding the perfect spot can take some time. You don't want to sit right near a window, as that can irritate your eyes and cause glare on your computer or monitor screen. Having your setup slightly off to the side of the window is great as this allows you to enjoy the sunshine and fresh air. There are a ton of different ways to approach creating a home office. So, enjoy taking inspiration from your favorite magazines, websites, or influencers for different tips and tricks.
It is absolutely vital that you remember to take breaks while you are working in front of a screen. Whether you are working from a laptop, tablet, or monitor the light emitted can lead to headaches or tired eyes. Luckily, with the rise of remote jobs, there are many different solutions that you can use to combat this feeling.
If you do find yourself experiencing these symptoms, remedies like blue-light filtering glasses or hydrating eye drops can be a life-saver for when your eyes start to feel overworked. Available in both prescription and regular styles, blue light glasses prevent eyes from straining constantly. Since the lighting on our devices changes frequently, our eyes have to constantly adjust and strain to adapt. A pair can help enormously if you normally experience this feeling. Hydrating eye drops can work in a pinch as well, but these eye drops will only provide temporary relief. Using both in conjunction with each other will have your eyes feeling great, even when experiencing extended screen time.
Although there isn't a cure-all, taking precautions such as investing in safe eyewear, drops, and taking screen breaks can make your eyes feel much more awake and energized by the end of your shift.
Hydration is a key factor in staying energized. Keeping yourself hydrated is extremely important to remember while you are at home all day as well. Your body will feel more refreshed and you will also feel positive mental effects as well. Studies have shown that those who stay hydrated find themselves having much more energy and focus compared to those who did not hydrate as frequently.
There are also more ways than ever to be actively conscious about your water intake during the day. Based on your preference, many new water bottles have smart features to help you keep track of your consumption. If you are someone who likes a water bottle that is bright and encouraging, look into a motivational water bottle. These are great for making sure you drink enough water throughout the day. Some even have times so that you can stay aware of how much and when you are hydrating.
Making sure that you stay somewhat active while working is crucial to remember. Many times our muscles may begin to hurt from sitting in the same position for an extended period of time. Taking small breaks to move around is not only good for your physical health but mental health as well. Moving around can increase your energy and motivation as much as it gets your muscles moving.
At the office, we also get more exercise than we think. Everyone eventually walks to the bathroom, goes to the kitchen, and more. On your lunch, instead of sitting on your phone, take the time to go for a small walk outdoors. You'll notice your physical and mental state will feel much more clear after returning from your break.
Working from home can be a relaxing yet motivational change if you approach it with the right mindset. Once you get your routine down, you may even start to like working from home better! Remember to keep a healthy and positive approach to your workday and also for setting up your schedule. After all, having the ability to work from home is a huge privilege. It could be a great chance to find your perfect balance between work and home life.
