Top tips for working at home during self isolation

Many of us now finding ourselves working from home and some of us for the first time! Read our top 10 tips on how to adapt to your new work surroundings! 

1- Get showered and dressed 

Get your mind ready for a day of productivity by having a shower and putting on clean clothes. Routine is good for the mind and will help you to switch off when your day at work is over. 

2- Don't work in bed 

Experts agree that working in bed is not only bad for posture, it negatively impacts your sleep. Spending prolonged periods of time working in bed will mean that your brain no longer associates bed as a place to sleep. This can mean that you find yourself struggling to fall asleep at night, and lacking in sleep will reduce productivity and weaken the immune system. Try to set an alarm as normal and stick to your usual routine when getting out of bed in the morning. 

3- Stay in touch with colleagues 

It is important to stay connected and support each other. Technology has provided us with so many fantastic solutions to enable remote workers to all work together. Video conference calls allowing multiple people to join at the same time is a great way for you all to participate together without needing to leave your homes! 

Many offices opt to use a system such as Slack to enable employees to "chat" to each other throughout the day. 

4- Set real work hours

Set them and stick to it! You will be surprised how easy it is to lose track of time when you do not leave the office at the end of your shift. Set your work hours, lunchtime and stick to it! 

5- Get fresh air (where possible!)- If you have access to a terrace or garden, try to take regular short breaks outside. Fresh air is great for the following:

• -strengthening your immune system
• giving you more energy and allows you to focus better
• making you happier
• improving your digestive system
• helping to improve your blood pressure and heart rate 

6- Eat well, avoid over snacking 

It is very tempting to have unlimited snacks when stuck at home all day. To avoid overeating, after you have eaten breakfast-  make a lunchbox each day with your lunch and allocated snacks for the day. In times like this, it is important to eat as well as we can. Eating fruits & veg daily and limiting sugary snacks.

7- Make a to-do list 

Each morning set a list of tasks that you need to complete that day, and order them by priority. Without your boss in the office, it can be easier to lose sight of your deadlines. Enjoy the satisfaction of crossing off each task as you complete them! If you work in a team, you can even create a to do list for everyone in the team using a tool such as trello. 

8- Find a comfortable chair which supports your back.

With many of us now working from home unexpectedly, you may not have a suitable work chair at home. You be able to ask your employer if it is possible to take home your office chair for you to use whilst self isolating at home. If this is not an option, be sure to use a chair which is comfortable for long periods, supports your back and encourages good posture. 

9- Manage your time well

Without the structure of your normal office schedule, it is important to stay on track with your projects. There are some great productivity apps to help you set goals and reach them. Here are some of our favourites

• ToDoist
• Toggl
• Calendar

10- Keep calm  

It is easy to feel worried during times of uncertainty. Try to limit the amount of time watching the news and instead focus on your own mental wellbeing. Take time each day to engage in an relaxing activity. Here are some of our favourites self care ideas 

• Have a long relaxing hot bath
• Take a few minutes daily to try meditation, there are loads of apps/videos for beginners.
• Escape the world and listen to an audiobook or podcast.
• Read a book
• Do an exercise video