How to: Work (Better) from Home

This pandemic has taught us one thing for sure and we will be doing it for a long time now; work from home. Some have adapted to it very quickly and others are still coming to terms with it. If you are one of those people who used to thrive on office energy, who miss the hustle bustle, the office canteen and coffee break gossip, I have some tips for you to deal with your “work from home” blues better!

• Make a Routine. Nothing can help you be more productive at home like a schedule can. The best way to do this is to communicate this to your family, friends and colleagues. Once the word is out that you work from 10am to 6pm, no-one will disturb you at that time. Also, communicating things to people helps your brain remember them too. Pick hours during which you have the maximum energy for maximum output. Fix your lunch time and breaks too. You can be a little flexible with your breaks depending on the kind of work you are doing and the time required to complete it. It is advisable to take a 5-10 min break every two hours to keep you working efficiently. It is also important to know till what time you will be working. A good idea is to keep some time aside for exercising in the evening. As soon as you get free from work, do some simple stretches or light exercises. This will help take the stress away and will also set you in the mood for physical work after being in a sedentary position for so long. 

• Wear something other than pyjamas. At home, it is very easy to fall in the comfy trap. PJs to work sounds like fun but it might make you less productive. You can trick your brain into thinking that you’re actually at work by wearing smart casuals. When not in pyjamas you will definitely hesitate before taking a nap or before slouching in a plush armchair. It will also help you with your routine. When you will get up early in the morning, have your breakfast, take a bath and get ready you will feel like sitting at your desk and working, which brings us to our next point.

• Create an efficient working Space. Keeping an organised office desk will go a long way in helping you feel that you are actually at work. We go to great lengths to create a cozy snuggery for us to crash in after work. Having a comfortable, systematised space that assists us in working competently is equally important. The first step to achieve this is to invest in a good quality wooden desk. A solid wood desk is an investment that would last you a long time. I personally prefer wood over metal as I like wood’s warmth and tactility. Also, wood can be stained light or dark and being a versatile material can be used for multifarious designs according to space and requirement. I would also advise you to go for a customised design. 

• Get a customised desk. A custom made desk would utilise your space best by keeping in account the style you need, storage and size. You can get one made to match the interiors of your room effortlessly! Make sure you have a little extra storage than you want so that in the future you don’t feel that you don’t have space to keep your stuff. Go for a desk that is easy to clean and maintain so that you don’t waste any time in doing it and you can quickly get to work. Always, make sure that your table and chair are the right height. Sitting for long periods in an uncomfortable position can cause health problems such as back pain especially if you’re tall or petite. You can also buy a desk organiser to keep your phone, charger, pens, stapler and other stationery items that you regularly use. 

• Go green. Don’t forget to keep a small indoor plant such as snake plant on your desk. It will give you oxygen that will keep you attentive for longer periods and it’s a proven fact that looking at greenery actually makes you more adept! You can keep more indoor plants in your room for more oxygen to create a healthier, greener environment.   

• Invest in a good coffee maker. Caffeine is a working man’s best friend. Raise your hand if you agree! To avoid multiple trips to the kitchen that could waste your precious time, keep a coffee maker handy. You can keep your coffee maker and mugs on a sideboard in your room. If you have a large room you can even convert a small storage unit into a pantry for easy access to snacks and coffee/tea. For snacking go for healthy nuts and dried fruits that will keep you full for longer without being loaded with calories. They will not only give you instant energy but will also provide you with vitamins and essential minerals. Tea lovers could invest in a variety of gourmet teas to keep them fresh and motivated. Everyone loves being treated to something new and special. Coffee drinkers can spice things up with flavoured coffee. These little delights help you relax and make your day brighter. 

• Start early in the day.  I would strongly advice that you keep your household chores for the evening. This will ensure that you wrap up the day on time. If you plan on working out later, this could also be a good warm up for you. This way, in the morning you won’t have to worry about finishing your chores and you can get to work straight away once you’re ready. Ideally you should get to work within 2-3 hours of getting up. It might be a little difficult in the starting, but push yourself to get up 10 minutes earlier than you normally do. I’m telling you, these ten minutes will prove to be golden. 

• Listening to Music can help. Listening to appropriate music can boost your efficiency. If you are working on something that requires high concentration then you can listen to classical music such as Mozart and Beethoven. You won’t feel alone and it won’t distract you, such a win-win! If you are doing something that is mechanical and does not need a lot of focus then other genres such as soft rock, jazz, pop or Bollywood are also great options.  

• Plan timed breaks with colleagues/friends - To overcome the feeling of working alone, you can plan your breaks with your friends/colleagues on a video call but this can be a bit tricky as you will need to stick to your schedule. If you can plan it well it will be like a breath of fresh air. Alternatively, you can also do stretching in your breaks with your friends on a zoom call. 

Use these simple tips to enjoy working from home and to be more organised and efficient. You can see a wonderful collection of desks that can be customised here. To share your work from home tips with us please write to me at info@kernigkrafts.com.