Top Tips to make Working from Home During COVID-19 a Little Easier

Our offices have implemented working from home and social distancing to protect our team, our customers and their families.

Remote working is a new experience for most people, so we wanted to offer some advice to help you maintain productivity and protect your physical and mental health during these unprecedented times.

Create a New Routine

Humans are creatures of habit; we tend to enjoy routine. Working in an office lends itself well to routine as there is generally a start time, finish time and clearly defined breaks. It is important when working from home that you create a routine that will guide your day.

That routine may be a morning workout or a walk round the garden to get fresh air before starting work for the day, while for others dinner with their family might signify the end of the working day. It is important to create these boundaries for yourself while working from home.

Define a Designated Workspace

A designated workspace will help you draw a line between your working day and your down time at home. If you sit on the couch all day working, the chances are you will struggle to switch your mind off from work while sitting on the same couch to watch TV later that day.

When setting up your work area, you need to consider a range of factors, such as adequate lighting, space, power sources, internet connection, ventilation and the positioning of your computer to allow you to work comfortably.

Mintra are offering their DSE & Ergonomics training free of charge. This course is available to everyone, to help you learn how to best set up your display screen equipment ergonomically.

Socialize with Colleagues

Working from an office gives you the opportunity to socialize with your colleagues frequently throughout the day. Reduced social interaction is often the most difficult part of working from home.

To prevent feelings of isolation, set up mechanisms to mimic the interactions you would have in the office. This could vary from having a coffee with your colleagues over video call, to setting up a team thread to discuss topics that would normally come up in conversation in the office such as your current favourite Netflix series.

Protect Your Physical & Mental Health

It is important to protect your physical and mental health in a time where many gyms are closed, and social interaction is limited due to social distancing.

Try to maintain your physical & mental health by utilizing online workouts, yoga classes and guided meditations. While it may not feel quite the same as an intense workout in the gym, or your weekly football game with friends, it will help to release endorphins and calm your mind.

If you are struggling with your mental health during this time, please reach out to someone you feel comfortable talking to, whether that be a friend or family member, your manager, or your company HR. Do not suffer through these difficulties alone, reaching out will help you get the support needed to get through these challenging times.

Make Working from Home, Work for You

Finally, the tips above are a simple guide but only you will know what works best for your personal situation.

Review your personal and professional commitments and prioritize appropriately. While some people will feel more productive in the mornings, others will need to work later in the evening to prioritize childcare during the day.

The key is to communicate these changes and restructure your day to suit your needs.

About the Author

Angela Stewart - Global HR Manager