Tips for working from home

1. Make yourself a workspace

If you don’t have an extra room to use as a home office, it’s still helpful to set up a dedicated workspace. Ask your health and safety officer for ergonomic advice so you’re as comfortable as possible while working. A dedicated workspace will help you set a clear boundary between your work and home.

2. Get dressed, feel good, stick with routines

While you may not have to dress as formally as you would in the office, continue to get dressed every morning. Getting dressed, rather than staying in pyjamas all day, may help you get in the mindset for being at work. And, you’ll look more professional and prepared on video calls. Check out these great tips to staying productive and mentally well while working from home.

3. Stay in touch with coworkers

We form relationships with our co-workers in so many little ways throughout the day in the office. When you’re at home, you won’t have impromptu conversations in the hall with them, but you can still reach out. Message a co-worker to ask about their weekend or a recent activity. You may even want to schedule a meeting where you and your co-workers can quickly catch up with each other. Use video chats whenever possible so you can see each other’s faces.

4. Set clear boundaries between work and home

While it’s not always possible to avoid staying connected with work after hours or on weekends, try to do so only when necessary. Otherwise, resist the temptation to check work-related texts and emails afterhours or on your days off. It can be easier when working from home to lose track of time because you lack that visual cue of your co-workers packing up for the evening.

5. Take breaks

Be sure to step away from your work throughout the day. Go for a walk on your lunch hour or simply make sure to get up to get a drink of water from time to time. When you’re working from home, it can be easy to sneak in some quick exercise breaks. Why not take the chance to work in 5 to 10 minutes of exercises a few times a day? For break ideas at little to no cost, sign up for weekly Take your break emails from Workplace Strategies for Mental Health, compliments of Canada Life.

6. Manage distractions

Working from home during self-isolation when you have a family means you may have frequent distractions. Watch these videos from Workplace Strategies for tips including how to stay focused when your workspace is not your own.

For more great tips to practice healthy routines while working remotely, visit: workplacestrategiesformentalhealth.com/ All Workplace Strategies resources are available to anyone at no cost.

Even though we’re all practicing physical distancing, you don’t need to put off your financial planning. Contact me today to learn about your options.