A Work From Home Survival Guide

In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, most of us are facing a new challenge that we had very little time to prepare for. The challenge of working from home. Well, some of us are working from home and others are stuck at home, with not much (if any) work to do. Many have lost their jobs or are temporarily out of work, until social distancing guidelines ease up. Either way, staying isolated inside of your home, while also maintaining both productivity and mental health, can feel a little daunting. Many of us are scrambling to maintain some sense of “normalcy” is a completely abnormal situation.

For those of us who are seeking guidance, in order to conquer the work from home (or stay at home and stay sane) challenge, we have compiled a short survival guide of tips and tricks. These tips are designed to keep your head screwed on straight, keep you productive and lead you into creating a home environment where you can shine.

Create a daily routine and stick to it.

Nothing says maintaining control over your own life like a well thought out routine. Keep that alarm clock set. Brush your teeth and your hair (yes, every day). Brew a fresh pot of coffee and spend some time in the morning doing things for YOU. Do you like to read in the mornings? Listen to podcasts? Exercise? Walk the dog? Make sure that you are still incorporating your simple pleasures into your daily routine. You likely have more free time now, then you’ve had in the past. So, also seek to incorporate some new things into your routine. Maybe you’ve been wanting to pick up yoga. Seek out some online classes and through it into your daily mix. Whatever your routine looks like, keep it consistent.

Get dressed.

This one seems trivial but trust us, it’s not. Even though you may not be headed to the office, moving through your daily hygiene routine and getting dressed in the morning sets the stage for a productive day. It also reduces the likelihood of self-pity, which is a big mental blocker. Sometimes, how you look is how you feel.  Think about it…ever purchased a cute new athletic outfit and suddenly felt inspired to hit the gym? Self-confidence does wonders for mental health and even if you’re only going to be representing yourself via video conferencing (or not at all), just feeling better about yourself can help you stay motivated.

Keep your home tidy, clean and organized.

It can be difficult to focus on work (or anything) in a cluttered environment. Clutter can make you feel out of control, which just adds a layer onto the lack of control we are all feeling due to being stuck at home and ripped from our usual routines. Clear your clutter, clear your mind!

Designate a workspace.

Having a designated home office is a crucial step in maintaining productivity at home. This doesn’t need to be a full “office” but can even represent itself as a little corner, one desk or a portion of the dining room table. It should be clear of all distractions, tidy and should only be used for working purposes (if possible). This will help your brain to shift into work mode, once you’ve moved through your morning routine and you sit down to your home office space. This is the space where you focus and by designating this space, you help your brain to transition into and out of “work mode”. If you have to use the dining room table (which will obviously share as an eating space), take the time each morning to set up your workspace. Then, each evening, take the time to break it down. That way, your work isn’t staring you in the face during dinner or post-work relaxation time.

Designate working hours verses non-working hours.

Without a physical commute to the office or a change of environment to signal to your brain that you’re “on the clock”, mentally gearing up for a workday can be difficult. For this reason, it’s helpful to designate working hours for yourself and adhere to them, every day. It might make the most sense for you to continue working the same hours that you were before the at-home orders went into effect. This will keep you on the same schedule as co-workers (in case collaboration is part of your job) and it will also maintain a small some sense of normalcy.

Maintain social connections.

Although you can’t meet up with friends for a drink after work or hit up the movies for date night, that doesn’t mean your social life needs to be tossed out altogether. Fostering our social connections is more important now, than it has ever been. Phone calls or video chats with family and friends can be an uplifting moment in your day. The internet is full of opportunities to stay connected. Video conferencing experiences range from live streaming dance parties, to motivational speaking, to yoga classes. Add socializing into your daily routine and make it a priority to say connected during these times of physical isolation. Take it a step further, set a goal to make at least one person smile, every day.

Maintain an exercise routine.

With gyms and studios shut down, and many outdoor areas also closed for gathering or exercising, it can feel discouraging for your workout routine. Although it seems easier to just give in to the couch potato approach, it’s important to maintain a healthy balance while staying home. Without balance, returning to “normal” life after the social distancing orders have lifted will prove to be very difficult. Avoiding exercise puts further strain on your mental health, while getting your body to move just a little bit every day, helps to release serotonin and keep your mind happier. Need inspiration? Check out the influx of at-home workout routines that have flooded the internet. There are also a new abundance of free online classes.

Get daily sunshine or fresh air.

Never underestimate the power of some good old-fashioned Vitamin D. Being indoors 24/7 can take a toll on your mental health. Humans are meant to feel sunshine. Get outside and take a daily walk or sit in your backyard/patio to soak up some rays and breath some fresh air. This time can act as a much needed change or scenery and a little refresh, before heading back inside. Definitely adhere to social distancing guidelines during your outdoors time (keep a 6ft distance from others).

Pick up a new hobby or craft.

Have you always wanted to learn a new skill or make time to practice an old one? It’s easy to see the downsides of being stuck inside but what about the opportunity that lies within the extra time that is now at your disposal? You can learn to make bread. Pick up cross stitching. Learn a new language. Start painting. Make your own kombucha. The options are vast, and the feeling of accomplishment will be sure to lift your spirits.

Cook healthy meals.

Does the hustle and bustle of “normal” life often end up leaving you too tired to cook dinner? Did you previously eat a lot of take out? Stay at home orders are also a great opportunity to practice nourishing yourself with home cooked meals. Improve your cooking skills or simply use cooking as a stress reliever (for those of us who already love it). Either way, there is only positive outcomes to cooking healthy meals for yourself and your housemates.

Set goals. Accomplish them.

This could overlap with new hobbies, or it can be goals that involve tasks that are less “fun” but have still been nagging you to complete. For instance, is your garage or storage unit a mess? Have you been searching for the extra time to get it organized? Set a goal to accomplish this before social distancing ends. Maybe you’ve been trying to read more books. Set a goal to read for 20 minutes every day. Have some minor home repairs that you’ve been putting off? Now’s the time. Setting goals and accomplishing them will do wonders for your mental state.

There you have it.

This certainly doesn’t cover ever survival tip, but it will get you moving in the right direction. Hopefully this guide inspires you to take control of your life, even when it feels like that isn’t possible. You control how you spend your time and you control your own outlook. Stay positive, keep moving and you will survive the work from home (by that we mean do everything from home) order.