With the COVID-19 lockdown, more people than ever are spending time at home and working remotely. Here are some simple tips you can implement to improve your work-life balance and keep sane in these ever-worrying times.
Dress for the workplace
Dressing as you normally would for work provides a clear distinction between work time and leisure time. Don’t feel that you have to put on a full face of makeup or go through a long, complicated morning routine (though of course, you can if you want) but a dressy top or shirt lets you know it is work time. The key thing is to make a habit of it, don’t just do it just for that webcam meeting before getting back in the pajamas.
Reintroduce the commute
Don’t panic, we’re not suggesting you get on the bus or train unless you need to. Before the workday starts, take a walk down to your bus stop and back, or cycle the same distance as your daily commute. Repeat this when you clock off the computer, or later in the evening if the call from the kitchen is too strong… just make sure you get the same amount of exercise, or more, as you would from the daily commute. If getting out of the house is no longer an option, or if the thought of venturing out the door is still a little too daunting, then there are loads of awesome home workouts to try online.
Take regular breaks
It’s so important to take regular breaks, it splits up the day and gives your brain a chance to recharge and focus. Try setting an alarm or a reminder every hour, and when the bell rings, take a five-minute break. This break could be used to take a little wander around your home, maybe a walk around the garden, a trip to the kitchen, a game of catch with the dog, or a 5 minute look out of a window if you can’t get outside. You could also use this time to tackle a household chore – hoover the bedroom floor, hang out the washing, or water the pot plants.
Try and keep work and home separate
Not everyone has the option of a home office, in fact, the large majority of new-found homeworkers have never had to consider it. Your office might now be the kitchen table, a spot on the living room floor, or a camping table in the garage. Wherever your workspace is, be sure to tidy it at the end of the day, as you would in the office, and don’t go back there until the morning. That can be a little tricky if that space doubles with a domestic purpose, but if you can pack it away, or push it off to the side, then do. Put the laptop and papers on the shelf, or in a box under the table and walk away. There’s more to life than work.
Stay in contact
Sitting at the desk all day before clocking off and going about your night routine can make you feel isolated, especially if you live alone. If you live with someone, ask about their workday, or about what’s going on in their head. Make time to message or a call a friend – arrange a weekend coffee catch up on a video call, or a socially distanced walk in the park. If you’re only communicating with colleagues through emails or video calls during the working hours, try arranging a lunch-break Zoom call to catch up on the breakroom gossip, or a fun quiz evening with the people from the office.
Assess friendships and online following
Social media is designed to be addictive, so for best results personally and professionally, try and limit interactions with social media during office hours. The content you consume, in your valuable free time, should be meaningful and enjoyable. Because your time is so precious, you may feel obliged to make commitments to friends or family members, whether that be a video call or a socially distanced get-together.
Though it is so important to have friends, those you have around you should be meaningful, and bring value and light into your life. This is no different to a digital detox if someone you follow online – a friend of a stranger – continuously promotes or post things you don’t agree with, then chances are you will unfollow or mute them. Friendships in real life are no different – delete their number or remove yourself from the group chat, refuse to meet up, or tell them straight to their face that you think you’ve grown apart.
It may seem arrogant, but that’s self-help. By removing those people from your circle, and your online content, chances are you will have more time. The time that can be spent with those who you keep closest to you, the ones who bring light into your life, that is not drowned and blocked out by those who don’t. Keep in close contact with those who bring happiness to your world.
Write things down
The human brain is amazing, with an incredible capacity for memory and problem-solving. However, sometimes you can feel overwhelmed, especially if you are working alone all day. Reaching out to people may seem hard, especially if you don’t know what you’re struggling with. Try writing things down – a to-do-list is great to keep you focused on the most important tasks, and keeping a note of the new tasks that may come in throughout the day.
Making yourself a schedule for the workday can also be incredibly useful, with tasks listened, and times assigned to each task, depending on how long you think this will take you. This gives you a great idea of when and what you should be doing, and gives you a visual structure to your day – just remember tips two and three, and mark out designated time for exercise and breaks.
Alternatively, you might have a really structured day, but still, feel overwhelmed. Freewriting may help. Pick up a pen and just start writing about what may be on your mind. Even if you’re not sure what’s on your mind, writing things down can help organize, structure and free-up your mind. You could share these writings with someone, or keep them private, but whatever is on your mind, the chances are someone you know or work with has gone through the same thing, so don’t be scared to reach out.
