Over time I have experienced lots of different work patterns. In the past I have worked full time office hours, flexible hours, several jobs at once and night shifts. But Covid has introduced working from home as an acceptable part of a normal working pattern. Although I teach face-to-face part time, I still manage to have some time at home doing my other work, such as freelance writing.
Lots of my friends include managers and researchers and they have really got used to working from home. So much so that they have opted to carry it on in preference to returning to the office.
Personally, I hope to work at least two full days from home after the summer and I am really looking forward to it. I have gathered together some advice for people who are new to this kind of work and listed them below:
Working at home – Suggestions
– All of my friends agree that getting rid of distractions is vital when setting up a home based office. Here is a previous article about this, Working from home – without distraction. Such distractions include family members, pets and neighbours popping round for tea.
– Having the right equipment matters. That includes back supports for any chairs you sit on. Also it is vital that you get an anti-blue light screen protector that minimises glare, helping you to look after your eyes. This will also stop them getting tired so quickly.
– Make time for physical breaks. Not travelling to work is great for the environment but often it is easy to become quite sedentary. Time can also run away from you so make sure you rigidly set times for breaks and chances to be mobile.
Some easy ways to mobilise include:
a) Take the dog for a quick walk (he/she will thank you for it).
b) Do ten squats. These are great for getting the blood flowing and wake up your glutes as well as keeping you alert.
c) Walk up and down the stairs twice. Perhaps even treat yourself with a glass of water at the end of it.
d) Do a home maintenance task for five minutes. This helps in two ways as it gives your back and eyes a rest as well as contributing to those chores that will otherwise build up throughout the day. Good examples are: fill the dishwasher, take the bins out, dust the window sills or wipe the kitchen surfaces.
e) Close your eyes and lay on your back, doing alternate leg raises. This will give your abdomen a simple workout whilst allowing you to let your eyes relax for a few minutes. Three lots of ten leg raises work wonders.
– Make sure that if you have a visible timetable online, you pencil out a block everyday for admin tasks. If you don’t then colleagues won’t resist booking you in for back-to-back meetings all day long.
If you manage your time well and don’t get sucked into too many unnecessary meetings, you will still have time for exercise and reflection at the end of the day. Without the need to commute, you should have a little bit of ME-time to unwind, get fresh air and maybe even read a book.
Hopefully this advice was quite useful. For similar posts about lifestyle and entertainment, perhaps consider following my little blog.
I’ve been working from home full time for almost 8 years. One of my top tips is to wear shoes when you’re working, it gives this little physical boost to the work mindset and let’s you take them off and literally kick off the stresses of the day and relax.
Ooh I like that idea. Definitely worth a try.
Yes I enjoy doing some exercises during the day. I have been able to make these exercises part of my daily routine. Sometimes too many Zoom meetings can prevent these from happening but It always feels great to have done them.
Taking physical breaks when working from home is so important, I totally agree with this. I also take my dog for a few small walks a day as it benefits both of us!
That is good. I agree.
Yes it does.
These are good for those who works at home. Working at hone is fun. As an introvert, I always enjoy working at home. It helps me to focus better. Thank you for sharing.
I like doing half and half. Thanks for commenting.
Great suggestions. I really loved the point about the physical breaks because they are so important, I learned to get out for a walk or go to the gym at some point during the day. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you.
Great tips! I like the ideas for moving around. I sometimes end up sitting all day! Also I get distracted really easily so that’s something I definitely need to work on.
It’s really important to maintain ‘working hours’ when at home. That doesn’t mean to work a 9-5, it’s just to make sure you don’t overwork from home. Some people feel the responsibility to answer all emails the instant they come in, even if it’s hours after the end of the day. Work-life balance can be harder when you feel that way. Make sure your clients, employers, whoever, knows your working hours and that you are not available after that time. I have been in the position with people who will take advantage of your kindness if you allow them to.
Oh yes I know that can be tricky. Thanks for reading.
Yes just a few minutes moving around helps.
Great tips here Jamie. I have been working from home for the last two years now and sometimes you just get carried away and forget to stand up and move your body. These last months I decided to set an alarm every 40 minutes to remind me to stand up and move a bit. I also do some of my housework during those breaks.
Sounds good. Thanks for commenting.
I go for a walk but I don’t have a dog but I will get one soon and I can go for walk with my dog. Great ideas!
Hahah good idea.
A good chair is a must! When lockdown first happened I just sat on the dining room chair as we were supposed to be back in four months (we were naive then ha ha), but started getting back problems. The office chair made all the difference.
I’d also say that as well as blocking time out setting clear boundaries on working hours – it’s great flexible working, but some people now think it’s acceptable to have meetings after 5pm and before 9am
Yes I have heard of sunrise meetings etc. Thanks for commenting.
It’s so important to set work and life limits. During lockdown it got so easy to work hours overtime without noticing, and it takes its toll.
I always need to make sure I take breaks from the screen every day. I tend to go for a walk in the afternoon to break up the day x
Yes that makes sense.
Nice blog, thank you 🙏
I hope it’s not bad form, but my own blog “celebrating” two years in lockdown offers a few more lessons of being home. https://projectswithinprojects.blog/2022/03/12/7-lessons-from-2-years-in-isolation/