Top tips for working from home

With the current situation hitting us across the globe, it is likely that many more people will be working from home. This is the case here at Smarter Travel where staff are working remotely where and when possible.

Working from home is one of the measures we promote to our residents where possible in order to create more sustainable travel behaviours but we appreciate it is not for everyone. To try and make this a little easier for us all, we have come up with some of our top tips on how to get the most out of your working day whilst working from your own home.

Stick to regular hours and create a routine: It is always a good idea to maintain your regular working hours. When we can all go back to the office, it will make it much easier to adapt back to our usual habits.

Get dressed: It’s tempting, no one is going to lie about that! But don’t spend the day in your pj’s! By getting up and dressed, your mindset will be ready to work. The same goes for getting out of bed! Don’t try to work from your bedroom, it’s important to associate a different space within your home for working. Where possible, try to distance yourself from areas of your house which should be used for relaxation time.

Take breaks: A regular break away from your computer screen is good for your health. We all suffer from the ‘I’m not working’ guilt but you will be much more productive after a break and a cup of tea.

Communicate with your colleagues: Your only colleague may be your cat or dog, who don’t tend to be great for conversation. Trying to bounce new ideas around with your pet probably isn’t going to work, unless you’re bouncing an actual ball around! So get in touch with others, have a phone call or video chat with those you usually see on a day to day basis. This can do wonders for morale and your mental health, even if it’s a quick chat about an upcoming project or what you’ve had for lunch!

Background noise: Some say silence is golden…however, this is not the case for everyone. A little background noise in the form or music or the radio can be a great help in making working from home feel a little less lonely.

Lunch breaks: Forget breakfast being the most important meal of the day. Take a proper lunch break and eat well too! Take advantage of being at home and make use of your hob and oven to cook up a storm. This time is a great opportunity to switch off and take a break from working hard.

Leave the house: Get some fresh air when you can. Even if this means a quick walk around the block (obviously adhering to government guidance in the current situation) or a potter about in the garden, you’ll notice a difference when you are back at your desk.

Sign off at the end of the day: It can be difficult to switch off at the end of your working day. However, it’s important to switch off and relax. So turn your computer off and don’t come back to it until the next morning. if you’re fortunate enough to be able to work in a different room, close the door on that area and don’t go back until the next working day!