While most countries are well on their way to vaccinating respective at-risk groups, we still appear to be a long way from normal. Even as we approach the possibility, chances are this new form of work culture, i.e., work from home is here to stay.
Though the pros and cons can always be subject to debate, keeping in mind this practice might persist in the foreseeable future, here are five tips to successfully habituate working from home:
Maintaining Routine
Sticking to a routine, preferably as similar to the normal work routine can prove most beneficial to maintain if not enhance one’s productivity. Aside from giving a sense of normalcy, simply grooming and dressing up in work attire can make all the difference in getting rid of the lethargy experienced in make the move from your bed to your workstation. An additional advantage of the work from home culture is the elimination of commute time. While an extra hour of sleep in the morning (or Netflix the previous night) is infinitely more tempting, taking that time to start early would perhaps prove to be an improvement.
Shedding light on the subject, Caroline Oblack adds: “When I work from home, the evening routine is just as important as the morning routine in my opinion. I have an hour commute to and from work each day, so I often use that time in the car on the way home to reflect on the day and unwind a bit so I can be fully present with my family when I get home. As we’re ALL home at this time… I plan to shut down my computer at about the same time each day, and then weather permitting, go outside and get some fresh air.”
Finding Balance
A healthy work-life balance is something working professionals strive to live up to. Although it might seem easier to maintain a balance with being at home all the time, the possibility of taking it for granted still, is very real. Even though being around family members all the time might become exhausting, we should be grateful and take out time for them. That said, it is essential to keep your mind and body relaxed with enough endorphins kicking about in your system. It can be enticing to put in that overtime and earn some praise from the boss (which every now and then, fair). But letting regular breaks of exercise as well as inactivity with family cater to everyone’s mental and physical well-being could make all the impact in finding absolute balance amid these chaotic times.
Reporter Julie Bort, working from home since before the pandemic hit, reflects: “WFH can make you more productive for a short amount of time by eliminating office distractions. But if you work long hours at home for more than a couple of weeks, or skip exercise, you risk being less productive or eventual burnout. If you balance, your productivity at home over time will be at least the same as office workers’.”
Boundaries
While spending time with family is vital, work is also a significant part of your life, and should be treated as such. Working from home means blurring of spaces, boundaries and therefore, addition in distractions. Just as we do not want to “bring the office home” with us every evening, we also should not let it be the other way around. Having a dedicated office space or desk space, with sufficient light and fresh air if possible, can prove tremendously useful in maintaining work discipline. Similarly, as any successful working professional would be mindful of limiting their “watercooler chats”, we should practice the same at home too. This should not be mistaken to be a restriction on taking breaks, which is why it is important to have a set routine.
Staying Connected
Communication is key. Be it staying connected with friends or amiably voicing grievances to employers.
Blogger Helen Brown writes: “During this time of physical distancing, social interaction is important… We expect to see children (and fur-babies!) on our team calls. My daughter has even become pen pals with a colleague’s daughter… At the end of the day, challenges are always opportunities to strengthen relationships and to build trust on your team. This is no different. If handled well, we’ll come out a stronger team at the end.”
Prioritising Mental Health
This cannot be stressed enough (no pun intended). If the pandemic has been at all telling of anything, it is the importance of normalising needing mental health care to face daily lives and the struggles that come with. It is not necessary that a traumatic event acts as a trigger. Something as inconsequential as dropping a cup of coffee can lead to an illogical overreaction, or worse (nope, not speaking from personal experience at all). Most often it simply means that we need to remember to breathe and take it easy. Maybe imagine Hrithik Roshan deep sea diving while you are at it. We are creative beings who need to recharge every now and then, and until the machines turn sentient, suffice it to say that we have earned it.
Bas saans lete raho…