Wellbeing and Health: How to Make Working from Home Work for You

Working from home can be a dream if you let it. There is no stressful daily commute, you have more independence, and you can even skip out on the office politics. On the other hand, improper time management can lead to lack of motivation, anxiety and burnout. So, whether you are new to working from home or you have been doing it for years, these five tips can keep you happy and productive at home.

Stick to a Schedule

Procrastination is easy to fall into yet difficult to snap out of. Creating a realistic schedule and sticking to it can help you stay focused. This could involve jotting down a vague plan to help you map out your day or you could go all out and create an hour-by-hour timetable to help you achieve your daily agenda. Creating a routine enables you to keep track of your daily activities and identify areas for improvement. The way you schedule your day is all down to what works for you.

Make the Effort

Start your day well and make the effort to get dressed. This small act can positively affect your mentality and get you ready for a productive work day. This does not mean you need to dress to impress (unless you really want to), simply putting on clean clothes that you would be happy to be seen in is enough to boost your mood.

Take Care of Your Vision

Eyesight is easily neglected, especially when everything seems to be in working order. However, hours in front of a computer screen can lead to eye strain, blurred vision and headaches. You can protect your vision by working in a well-lit area, taking regular breaks away from your desk and investing in glasses for computer use. Computer glasses can help prevent the glare of a screen from irritating your eyes and can reduce eye fatigue.

Get Up and Keep Active

For a lot of people, working from home involves sitting at a desk, which can lead to a sedentary lifestyle. Make the most of your flexible timetable and go for a brisk walk to get some fresh air. You could even schedule in a short but intensive workout video if you are feeling energetic. Committing yourself to short bursts of exercise can break up the monotony of the day and offer an excellent boost to your mental and physical wellbeing.

Soothe Your Senses

Sight, sound, smell, touch and taste; by indulging each of your five basic senses you can reduce stress and increase productivity. A visually appealing work area can reduce anxiety and help you stay organized and studies have shown that certain scents can help alleviate stress. It can be easy to miss a meal when you are in the zone, but making sure you remember to eat can keep the mind active and reduce irritability – try to incorporate a variety of flavours to indulge your sense of taste.

Unwanted noise can disrupt a productive mindset. If you cannot find a quiet spot, then play some natural sounds or put on soft, background music to help drown out the distractions. Finally, make sure your working environment is a comfortable temperature. A room that is too warm can lull you to sleep, while chilly temperatures can be distracting and can prevent you from typing properly.