We are now weeks into the Coronavirus lockdown and many of us are working from home. Flexible working arrangements are now the new normal across many countries and industries, and it's likely that this new way of working will continue for many people for the foreseeable future. 

For some, getting into the office is an escape from the four walls of their own home. It’s where they go to chat to their colleagues, their work family, they can catch a hot cup of tea, and for most, it’s where they enjoy being for their 9 to 5.

With Administration & Support being the 3^rd biggest industry in the UK to work for, equating to 9% of the population, we’re now looking at the reality of becoming a large nation of homeworkers. Sure there are perks of working from home; you don’t have to worry about the daily commute, finding a parking space, or about someone having fish for lunch. You can keep your slippers on, have the heating on at your ideal temperature, and a coffee out of your favourite mug. But this can soon become very isolating, and somewhat lonely – it’s important to get home working right. Some of us are juggling remote working and home schooling, on top of that, we have pets & young children to entertain – it’s easy to get stressed out very quickly!

We have listed our top tips for working from home to make sure you are as productive as possible!

Start the day well

• Ensuring you have a morning schedule can really help you to feel prepared for the day ahead.   Following your normal routine signals its time to start work.
• Set your alarm at the usual time you would if you were travelling to work
• Always get dressed!  It’s good for your well-being and a positive habit to maintain.   For some people, the prospect of staying in their pyjamas all day is the most tantalising aspect of working from home. 
• Schedule your "commute time" and use it to do something positive you would not be able to do if commuting to the office such as exercising, reading or listening to music.
• Start weekends differently to make clear distinction between week days and weekends

Set up your home office

One of the big challenges when it comes to working remotely is keeping your work and home lives separate.  If you’re used to going into an office each day, the separation between work and home is physical, and you want to try to recreate that as much as possible.

•  Assign a designated physical workspace at home.  Your workspace doesn’t have to be its own room but it should feel as separate from the rest of your home as possible.
• Get everything you need in one place, before you start work – chargers, pens, paper and anything else – and shut the door if you can. Even in a small or shared space, try to designate an area as your work space.
• Try to make your workspace comfortable with a chair you can sit in for eight hours a day and a few decorations.   Sit in a chair that supports your back with feet flat on the floor, hips and knees at 90 degrees if possible. Use cushions to be comfortable.  The NHS Advice is that you should adjust your chair so you can use the keyboard with your wrists and forearms straight and level with the floor.
• Find an area with good natural lighting if at all possible and maybe close to a window so you can have fresh air coming in.
• Entering your workspace will help you turn “on” at the beginning of the day and get down to work. On the flipside, leaving your workspace will also help you turn “off” at the end of the day and fully disengage. That’s why it’s also important not to spread yourself across your home—while it might seem great to be able to move from desk to couch to bed this makes it harder to keep your work separate from your home life. 

Establish a Routine

When it comes to working from home tips, establishing a routine and sticking to it is very important.  It’s tough to motivate yourself when home-based rather than in the familiar office environment. 

• Set yourself a clear plan of what you want to achieve that morning or the night before.  A daily plan will help you work more efficiently. Whether you’re a morning person or late starter, organise your day so that the tougher tasks are completed when you’re at your optimum best.
• Adopt your usual schedule, that includes taking coffee breaks and your lunch at the same time. Make sure your breaks involve time away from your screen, in a separate room too. 
• Setting little targets throughout the day will also give you a sense that you’re achieving things and progress is being made.  Keep a notebook or board with your daily goals and tick them off as you achieve them
• If you would usually perform certain tasks on specific days, keep that as part of the schedule.
• Importantly, when your workday stops, stop working. Shut down, stop checking emails and focus on your home life. Make sure you pack up your work each evening to make the end of your day decisive.   Give yourself something that will signal the end of work and serve as a buffer and at the end of the day try to get to bed at your usual time.

Communicate

• In and out of work, human interaction matters.   With that in mind, making a concerted effort to keep in touch with the outside world is imperative.  Feeling isolated is normal right now. But there are lots of ways to stay in touch with those who matter – boosting your mental wellbeing
• Schedule video calls and pick up the phone and have a real conversation, rather than relying on email and instant messaging.
• Make the point of seeing people every single day.
• If you're struggling with working at home then speak to your colleagues or manager about your concerns.
• Take time to share what you are doing and don’t be afraid to ask if you need some help or ideas on how to do something in your new way of working
• Ask colleagues how they're doing and whether there are ways you can support each other
• Make time to socialise virtually – schedule in a digital coffee break or Friday online get-together.
• Keep up communication with your teams, support each other, check in with your colleagues, share wins and continue to ask for advice.
• Set up a WhatsApp group, make video calls etc so that you still feel motivated and part of something bigger

Health and well being

Finally it is extremely important to keep a check on your health and wellbeing especially if home working is new to you.  Consider the tips below to ensure that you are taking care of yourself:

• You shouldn't stay glued to your screen all day. It's important to take regular screen breaks and get up from your desk and move around just as you would in an office. It's common for individuals to spend more time at their desk when remote working, so it's even more crucial that they get away for five minutes.
• Give yourself time to concentrate on something else so you feel more focused when you return. Even just 5 to 10 minutes of short breaks each hour can really help your productivity too.
• Also, making sure you finish at the same time you would in the workplace is essential to maintain home-work boundaries and ensure you get plenty of downtime to spend with family.
• Get outside! Even if you just walk to the corner shop. Being outside with nature is important for our mental health.
• Stay hydrated! Drinking little and often and aiming for 6-8 glasses of water
• Getting a good night’s sleep is vital. Fresh air and sleep also help build the immune system, so are an essential part of staying healthy.
• Take notice of your own thoughts, be kinder to yourself – what would you say to someone else in the same situation?