With the pandemic COVID-19 hitting the globe, it has led businesses to roll out mandatory remote working. Â This experience can be anxiety-inducing and challenging but we are learning to cope with the new norm of self-isolation, self-distancing, mindfulness of others and an uncertain economy.
Fortunately, we are living in a time where we have access to the latest information, have the ability to connect with people virtually and be online to continue our work. For some people, this is their first time working from home and figuring out how to make working from home, work. Â
Staying on task, avoiding procrastination or going stir-crazy are all very common struggles. We’ve been there for some time and know the struggle is real.  So, we have put together a few tips that we found beneficial when transitioning from working in an office with other humans, to a life working from home.
Morning routine
A huge part of heading into an office space with dedicated start and finish times, is that you automatically have that structure in place for you. It’s key to carry some form of routine into your remote working life so you don’t fall into the trap of procrastination.  Starting the day with meditation, exercise and journaling (both for mindset and what lies ahead in terms of task priorities) is fantastic for setting you up for the right frame of mind.
Dedicated work space
The basics of having a great space you’re going to spend a majority of your day working at is highly impactful. It needs to be well set up for comfort and a space you enjoy being in so you’re at your optimum when positioned here for the day. If possible, create a space that’s separated from the rest of the house to avoid distraction.
Get out of your pyjamas
No joke. This is life-changing. The novelty of working in your robe in the comfort of your home does sound dreamy. But getting dressed for work (active wear does count) will shift your brain into work-mode. It can create a feel-good mood and instil confidence that funnels through to your approach to work.
Reach out virtually
Us humans, require some form of people interaction and connection. Working in self-isolation can lead to loneliness, mental health issues and crazy cat chatter.  Now is the time to be proactive and reach out to others and connect online. Turn your team meetings and brain storm sessions into video calls. We’re blessed to be living in a time where technology has allowed us to create online communities with like-minded individuals, connect and express on a whole new level.
Get moving in nature
It’s self-isolation, not nature isolation. Make sure to changeout your scene, step outside each day for fresh air, some exercise or a walk around the neighbourhood at least. This will help you feel good emotionally, mentally, physically and reduce stress and anxiety. A lot of us make coffee-drinking a routine, why not treat exercise the same – the benefits are all so worth it. Â
Eat well
How you fuel your body is connected to everything else – your mood, energy and concentration levels. You could see working from home during this period an opportunity to get creative in the kitchen, learn to be more resourceful with ingredients and create nutritious meals at home. Being in lock down also makes it easy to avoid fatty takeaways or grabbing something naughty when rushing to work, as you would normally.
Music and podcasts
Listening to music and podcasts can be a massive booster for your mood, motivation and creativity. Podcasts are always great for challenging the way you think, are educational and also a great way to hand-pick topics that you’re interested in. Podcast addict and Spotify have a whole realm of options. We’ve been listening to Oprah Winfrey’s Super Soul series lately which has been hugely inspiring.
The greatest thing about working remotely is that you are in charge of your own environment. This is the perfect time to develop more self-awareness, increased proactiveness and a time to appreciate the peace at home. Â Embrace the era we live in with the ever changing space of technology and how isolation never has to feel isolating.
