In late March, the Indian government issued a 21 day long countrywide lockdown, perhaps the biggest lockdown human history has seen. This lead to a population of 1.3 billion staying at home to fight against the continuous spread of the novel coronavirus. The lockdown phenomenon is happening in a multitude of territories, although not as extreme as the South Asian country.

With the ongoing pandemic, billions are urged to stay home in order to reduce the amount of infected patients, thus, preventing health workers and hospitals from being overwhelmed. However, performing self isolation whether alone or with company can disrupt the mental health of any individual. This can also affect productivity and also a loss of motivation. Not only that, separating work and personal life can also be challenging when most of the day is spent at home. 

Working from home is a new challenge for a lot of people at the moment. If you happen to be one of those people, I can probably give some helpful advice. I have been a freelance graphic designer and copywriter, working from the comforts of my bedroom and occasionally cafes since the beginning of my career. As much as I say “I love working from home” to a lot of my friends, I can’t deny that there have been rough patches here and there. Therefore, here are some WFH tips that can hopefully help you do your job effectively.

1. Set a schedule

Sticking to the same routine you used to follow will help you adapt to the changes caused by WFH. Begin work and take breaks like you usually do, and it’s also crucial to end work on time in order to avoid burnouts. Don’t forget to give yourself a you-time, so only work during work hours.

Structuring your day similarly to how it used to be will get you in the right headspace. Obviously there will be changes along the way, but accommodating to those differences will be necessary. For instance, if you start mornings by picking up breakfast, which is impossible at the moment, it’s time to make your own at home. It may be a rough start for a lot of people, however setting up morning routines are essential as the mind will subconsciously begin to warm up for a day’s worth of work. With that to begin with, following and adapting to the rest of the schedule will become easier day by day.  

Apart from that, separating work and life is salient. Avoid mixing different agendas together, like doing chores during work hours. Instead, set up a different schedule for it. I would always have a planner at an arm’s reach with me most times. If you’re not the kind of person who likes Pinterest-esque journaling, Google Calendar and other planner applications will be a handy guide. 

2. Get ready for the day

Working from home while wearing pyjamas may be the dream of some people (me), but it won’t work out for most. Getting ready like you usually do in the morning will help you prepare and freshen up for the day. You don’t necessarily have to put on a full face of makeup or overdress in your own home. The key of getting ready while staying home is to wear something visually appropriate and comfortable at the same time. In addition to that, getting dressed up beforehand will make you look presentable during video calls and meetings.

3. Have a dedicated workspace

A comfortable workstation is essential for productivity. By investing in a good chair, quality technology, and all your work needs, working from home can be done as effectively as in the office. It’s also important to note that working shouldn’t ideally be done in the bedroom. Your bedroom should become a sanctuary for relaxing after getting off work. Having a home office isn’t something everyone can do, but by simply dedicating a specific area or a desk will help you get in the right mindset to complete tasks.

4. End your work day

Starting your work day is one thing, but ending it is equally important as well. It’s essential to remember to get off work like you usually do. According to Dr. Sara Perry, assistant professor of management at Baylor University, evening commutes are essential transitions for a lot of people to signal the end of a work day. She believes that creating the same transition will be significant when working from home. By simply moving to a different area of the house and putting your work materials away, you will be ready to relax and end the day. 

5. Stay Active

Just because the gyms are closed down, it doesn’t mean you can slack off exercising! Staying active is essential to keep your health in top shape, especially during these times. You can easily do at-home workouts as a multitude of Youtube videos are available, or simply jog around your neighbourhood.

6. Go outside

Being cooped up indoors for a long period of time can give negative impacts to anyone’s mental health. Staying inside for too long can lower your energy levels and eventually decrease motivation. Going outside even for a mere 15-20 minutes a day can boost mental health. According to Roshini Rajapaksa, MD, the biggest issue of staying inside is getting a low exposure to natural light. Sunlight has the tendency to lift up mood and help the body with vitamin D production, which is essential for the immune system.

Apart from that, spending time in nature is essential for mental health. A research done by the University of Glasgow has proven that people who exercise outdoors tend to have a lower risk of poor mental health when compared to people who go to the gym. However, don’t forget to stay safe and maintain social distancing!

Sources:

https://www.baylor.edu/connections/index.php?id=967755

https://www.southernliving.com/syndication/bad-to-stay-inside

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0277953612003565?via%3Dihub