We’ve all painted this blissful picture of working from home, deeming it the dream for any 9-5 worker… but now that we’re all finally getting to take our conference calls in sweatpants, is it all that it’s made out to be?
With netflix, children, and the kitchen all in arms reach, staying productive and entering work mode can be damn difficult. So today we’ll be taking you through some #WFH tips from the experts, to help you stay on task and distraction-free.
1. CREATE YOUR WORKSPACE
Yes, working from bed is tempting, but trust us when we say it never works. Ideally, you want to set-up an office space that is out of the bedroom, and away from any distractions (such as the kitchen or living room).
Below we’ve compiled our SWIISH checklist for creating an inspiring, at-home workplace:
‘ A proper desk (dining tables and kitchen benches not included!)
‘ Boss lady quotes – yep, print them out and stick them up… you’ll love it
‘ Candle or essential oils – the moment you start burning these you know it’s #WFH time
‘ Checklist – Stick this up where you can see it and fill it out each day to stay on task
‘ Day planner – use this to add structure to your day, lunch-breaks are a must
2. SET YOUR BOUNDARIES
Distractions by your family and those you live with can be the toughest part about working from home right now, so it is important to set some healthy boundaries where you can. You need to talk with everyone in your household and let them know your work hours/schedule, explaining that at these times you need to focus on what you’re doing and tune out of the household issues.
If you’re struggling with having the kids at home as well, you may be able to alternate working periods with your partner so that you are each allocated some “working alone-time”. In the same light, these boundaries can be communicated to your employer, and you may need to request for flexible hours throughout this difficult time. Open communication is best, and with everyone in the same boat at the moment, we’re sure they’ll be more considerate than you’re expecting.
3. DRESS TO IMPRESS
… yourself! We’re firm believers in stylish comfort here at SWIISH, which is why we strongly follow our usual morning routine, even when working from home.
This means waking up, caffeinating (obviously), completing our beauty routine, taking our SWIISH WELLNESS powders, enjoying some breakfast, getting dressed, and maybe even adding a little blush just to perk us up a little! This doesn’t mean you need to be uncomfortable, it just means getting out of your pyjamas and into (at home) workwear.
4. MOVE, MOVE, MOVE!
Without co-workers to chat to for mini mental breaks, getting up and moving at some point in each hour will give you that little relief you need. We suggest stretching, doing a yoga sequence, deep breathing whilst standing, or just walking around the house for a minute (perhaps to grab that glass of water you’ve no doubt forgotten about!).
Frequent movement will get your blood flowing to the brain again so that you can come back refreshed and productive… keep this in mind; 45 productive minutes is always better than 2 unproductive hours. Know when to take a break. Your work will thank you!
SWIISH Tip: Set a reminder on your phone to move every hour – this will help you stay accountable (even when you go back to working at the office!)
5. CLOCK-OFF!
It may sound silly, but we think that knowing when to clock-off whilst working from home is the hardest part. There’s no public transport you have to catch, traffic you have to beat, or even an office you have to leave! Staying chained to your desk well into the late hours of the night can become an easy habit to fall into… so you need to break it early.
Set an alarm on your phone at a realistic time you would like to finish at, then when it goes off, try your best to wind things up from there! The later you work, the more you’ll disrupt your sleep routine, and doing so will only make you tired, grumpy, and frustrated with the #WFH situation. Clock-off, walk away, and be ready to come back again tomorrow with a fresh mindset.
