Our world is adjusting to a different style of life, as we navigate life in a global pandemic that is changing how we currently live, work, and operate as a society. It’s affecting everyone, from corporate professionals to freelancers, and we have been strongly encouraged by our government officials to practice social distancing, self-quarantine, and to work from home. All of this is to help “flatten the curve” of the COVID-19 spread.
We’re all feeling a little stressed, scared, and frustrated by how the coronavirus has affected our way of life. Just a couple weeks ago, for most of us, life was normal, and the world was still operating smoothly. Now, we are staring at the reality that we are facing a virus that is complex, confusing, and still not fully understood, and one that could disrupt our lives, professions, and the economy.
However, there is still hope on the horizon. Medical professionals, scientists, and researchers are working around the clock, doing their part to heal and treat. We, as a community, can do our part to help as well.
Working from home is going to be a reality for many over the next few weeks and months, and while that may seem fun at first, it can be difficult to stay productive or inspired for long stretches of time.
So, as someone who has worked from home for a while, here are six tips on how to work from home effectively for a long period of time, and stay well:
Take breaks
Taking breaks is super important wherever you work, but especially from home. Even if it’s just five to 10 minutes of stretching, breathing techniques, or opening a window to get some fresh air, make sure to give yourself multiple breaks throughout the day.
Believe it or not, we aren’t meant to stare at a computer screen or do work all day, and when you’re stuck at home with fewer options, you can sometimes work even more than you thought you would.
What many don’t know is that while our brains are incredibly complex, there is one section of the brain that handles most of the work and logical thinking, and that’s the PFC, or prefrontal cortex. It already has a lot on its plate, so if we overwork it, it can really cause a slowing in our ability to critically process information and function — like a computer that gets overloaded with files and content, and slows down.
So let’s give our bodies and brains a break, and take time away from work. While it may seem counterintuitive and counterproductive, it will increase your productivity and mental capacity, and allow for you to work more efficiently and effectively from home.
Find ways to exercise
Yes, most gyms are closed right now due to the coronavirus outbreak. But that doesn’t mean we can’t find ways to exercise. Try doing an at-home routine using in-home equipment or bodyweight exercises. Go for a bike ride or quick run (giving others appropriate space, and keeping six feet apart, of course).
Daily exercise — even just thirty minutes a day — is crucial to mental and physical health. Physical exercise stimulates mitochondria development and cell growth, giving your body and brain more energy to get work done and stay productive while working from home.
Get outside, safely
A lot of people are hearing “self-quarantine” and “self-distancing,” and they immediately think they have to stay inside all day. However, that can be detrimental to a person’s productivity and mental health. It can help to lower stress, boost your creativity, and help to bring you back to focus.
So take your laptop outside — to your yard or a balcony — and work for an hour or so. Or simply open a window and appreciate the fresh air. It will pay major dividends to how you effectively work from home.
Choose what you watch carefully
It’s important to stay informed from the news, but not overwhelm yourself with it. Yes, our world is struggling and there are constant updates, but if you check the news every hour, it has the ability to really destroy any productivity or positive mindset you may have.
So challenge yourself to check the news just a couple times a day, at the most — one time during the beginning of the day and one time at the end of the day. Of course, stay informed, but make sure you strike a healthy balance to help you stay focused, motivated, productive, and more positive, during a time when it can be hard to be so.
Set time parameters for your work
Sometimes, when you work from home, you start to lose structure that divides work from, well, life, and that healthy balance you need every day. It’s important to set time parameters for your work, and not go past them. So if that means starting early to be done by 5 or 6pm, do it.
Whatever you do, set strict limits for yourself, and stick to them. It will help you not overwork yourself or blur the lines between a healthy work-life balance.
Focus on learning
With our daily options and schedules being disrupted, it means we have more time on our hands. If you’re not longer commuting to the office every day, take that usual “commuting time” to learn something. Order a new book or two, learn a new skill online, or find ways to educate yourself in subjects you’ve been putting off due to lack of time.
So if you’re a photographer, learn how to edit video. If you’re a videographer, try your hand at photography. Learn how to diversify yourself and learn about other industries or whatever piques your interest.
Take time to invest in knowledge, grow or strengthen your skillset, and become more diversified as an individual. It allows for a positive escape from your work, and focuses your mind on other things that are beneficial to your personal growth.
