At first, working from home was an exciting experience — but, with everything else, the novelty wore off after a while. You may even be part of the 67% of British employees who, after working remotely for a prolonged amount of time, experienced a productivity slump.
Yet it seems that remote work will remain even after the pandemic ends. Fortunately, these hacks are designed to improve different aspects of your day in the virtual office!
Get in the mood. Enter a productive headspace by creating a routine that prepares you for the work day. Maybe you like reading over coffee, or prefer doing yoga as the sun rises. And if you want to take it a step further, try dressing up in your usual work attire, too! This can help you feel like you’re really heading out to work at the office. In short, do what can make you feel ready for the day.
Plan your day. We hope your morning routine involves breakfast, because it’s no good starting the work day on an empty stomach. In fact, breakfast is actually a good time for you to plan out your day, as well. When formulating your schedule, try tackling the most difficult task on the list first. You’ll be in a better mood to accomplish smaller tasks, and will ultimately get more done. You can also try experimenting with different schedules! By not sticking to a rigid routine, you can prevent another productivity slump.
Customise your setup. You may be familiar with the “coffee shop effect,” where the ambience of a coffee shop helps boost productivity. So why not replicate the effect in your own home? First, set up a dedicated workspace, so you only associate work with one area of the home. Many videos on YouTube offer that feel-good jazz with added background noise, and you can even try out different types of lighting to complete the illusion. Just make sure your setup doesn’t include your phone, as you can waste up to an hour a day getting distracted by it.
Get un-stuck. If you get mentally stuck in a rut, stop working. Otherwise, you’ll only get more frustrated. What you need is a manual task to take your mind off of things. Try doing that thing you’ve been putting off, such as folding your laundry. Even washing the dishes can help you rest and eventually come up with a solution to your ongoing mental obstruction. If that doesn’t work, however, you’ve probably been working too hard. Take a break, instead.
Have a break. You really shouldn’t be working nonstop. In fact, you’ll be more productive if you get away from the computer every so often. A heated eye mask is perfect for this. It promotes blood flow and helps alleviate dry eyes caused by screen time, as the warmth lubricates your eyes by unclogging oil glands in your lids. Sitting all day isn’t good for you, either. Even if you exercise, sitting for bouts of 30 minutes or more for a total of 12.5 hours a day can increase your risk of chronic health problems, like diabetes or heart disease. That’s why it’s recommended you move around every so often. Even better, though, try a standing desk. This stretches you out, prevents aches and pains, and even boosts your metabolism. If you don’t have the budget or space for one, though, a converter might do the trick. Standing desk converters simply go on top of your regular desk, and are height-adjustable, too. Some models can even hold a large workspace with dual monitors.
Log off. Finally, as we’ve previously pointed out, it’s crucial to maintain a good work-life balance to prevent burnout. So stop working after you hit 8 hours, and don’t touch work at all until the next day. You can even prep your food for the next day, so you don’t have to think about it during work. Most importantly, though, relax as much as you can. By working and resting smart, you can fuel your drive to succeed in the months — and years — to come.
Written exclusively for Fs1recruitment.com by Amber Collins