How to Enjoy the Best Working From Home Experience

While the idea of working remotely, or working from home, once meant more of an occasional break from the office or was the domain of digital nomads and freelancers, the events of this year have meant that it’s now become the default way of working for most office-based people. As the months have gone on, working from home might have lost a little of its shine, so here are a few helpful ways you can bring back a more positive take on it, and enjoy the experience once more.

Make sure that you have the right set up

One of the most frustrating things about working from home when you’re not used to it is realising just how much you relied on the many subtle tools and resources in the workplace. Having a dedicated work area, with all the screens, tablets and equipment you need to perform your role can make a huge difference.

When switching to working from home, taking time to identify what you need can pay off dividends, and make your space a more productive and enjoyable area. You may want to add an extra screen or have tools such as a laptop stand, while IT support can help ensure you have everything in place in a safe and secure way.

Create a dedicated routine

It can be easy to lose track of time or blur the lines between personal activities and work time when you’re at home, but establishing a clear routine can help in a number of ways. Sticking to a specific schedule can boost your productivity, reduce stress and improve your focus.

Working from home may mean you have additional tasks to take into consideration, so your home routine may look a lot different to what it looked like when you were going to the office. Once these are clearly identified, they are less of a distraction and more of a helpful pattern to your day.

Take regular breaks

Alongside having clear working hours and a regular routine, don’t forget to include regular breaks into your day too. Not only are you legally required to have dedicated rest time away from work, depending on how long you have been working, skipping out on this will only leave you feeling less productive and a lot more stressed.

Give yourself regular screen breaks to refresh your eyes and mind. If possible, take time outside with a short walk or bike ride. Even enjoying a coffee break at the window with a magazine can provide a useful moment to reset. Take breaks to add a little movement into your day too – if you are no longer having your regular commute, it can be easy to fall into a more sedentary lifestyle, so plan short periods to stretch, walk, or even enjoy a little dance in the kitchen. Even a short five-minute break every hour can make a huge difference to your working day.