If like most of us you’ve been assigned to work from home, your first thought might be finally I can get the laundry done – but does that mean your productivity takes a hit? Your employer might think so, in light of this we’ve rounded up our top tips to keep you working at your best, even if you are in your dressing gown.
Stick to a Schedule
Following a schedule is key when you’re working from home. Otherwise, it can be easy to procrastinate or over-schedule yourself away from your job duties.
In addition to setting clearly defined work hours, you should wake up at a regular time each day, shower and get dressed. That doesn’t mean you have to get dolled up to work from your home office, but do have a routine that you keep.
Make a Home Office
If you’re truly going to get work done, you need a dedicated office space at your home. For best results, your office space should be 100% free of distractions. Typical spots for homeowners at YCB HQ include a spare bedroom, a repurposed dining room, an attic or even the kitchen table. Think about whether you want to be close to your family when you work or if you need a quiet place away from living areas and kids’ bedrooms.
Create an Ergonomic Setup
Having an ergonomic — meaning efficient and safe — arrangement of your chair, desk, computer, keyboard, mouse and telephone can keep you working more productively and prevent repetitive injuries.
Organise Your Workspace
Some people like an office where everything is displayed out in the open. For others, busy surfaces are too distracting. Think honestly about how you work best, and take the time to set up your space in a way that will help you stay focused.
Plan Your Lighting
Light needs to be diffused and the fixtures well positioned to avoid creating computer screen glare, which can lead to eyestrain. Lighting designers say a home office should have layers of light from multiple sources rather than a single light source.
Update Your Morning Beverage
If you’re looking for a boost, why not add Pollen’s powerbank drink drops into your morning coffee. Take the time on your own to give yourself a proper re-charge. Why are we better at charging our phones than re-charging ourselves? The Powerbank range has been developed to give you that ‘full tank’ feeling.
Use Your Lunch Break Wisely
In order to continue to implement a structured and productive day you want to make sure you utilise your full lunch break more wisely. Instead of your usual sandwich at your desk take some time for yourself and try a spot of meditation. Honestly if you haven’t started doing this yet we really encourage you! The best thing mediation does is reduce anxiety. So, if you are in a state of overwhelm then you need to start doing it now! It really helps to centre and focus your mind to a more relaxed, positive state.
So not only can meditation centre and focus your mind for the rest of your day, but it can help to calm your worries of what else is going on in the world.
Put Time in Your Calendar for Productive Rest
Now is the ideal time to allot your time with minimal disruptions! Rosie Millen, the UK’s leading burnout coach recommends making time for productive rest.
Rosie Millen specialises in burnout and helping others transform their energy by making changes to their diet, lifestyle and mindset. “This is something I encourage my clients to do everyday: For 10 minutes in the morning or in the evening take yourself away and lie down to do some deep breathing and switch off your mind. Our minds are constantly busy and naturally tend to overthink. By taking 10 each day and just breathing out slowly it actually lowers the stress hormone cortisol.”
No Gym? No problem!
Most of us feel like we have some pounds to lose – but what do you do when you’re advised not to go to the gym?
New research commissioned by Pro-Ven Probiotics questioned 2,003 respondents throughout the UK and found that over three quarters of Brits are self-conscious about their waist, stomach and abs – with almost all of those struggling to lose weight in those areas.
We’ve all been there, that feeling of worry that you aren’t going to feel your best at what should be a joyous occasion! Introducing ShapeLine, the first probiotic with proven weight loss benefits.
In the largest clinical study of its kind on the effect of probiotics on weight loss, participants of all ages saw a reduction in their weight, waist circumference and BMI after taking one Pro-Ven Probiotics ShapeLine capsule every day, for six months. The results are even more impressive as participants were not placed on a calorie-controlled diet and made no changes to lifestyle or exercise regimes, indicating that all of the weight reduction benefits were as a result of the probiotic.
In an era when it seems the majority of people are battling their weight in one way or another, the news that ShapeLine can help achieve weight loss, as well as providing all other benefits of good bacteria, whilst requiring no other changes to lifestyle, will be welcome news to many people.
Remember to Switch Off
There’s something about working from home that always makes you feel like you’re not doing enough, because of this we can overcompensate and continue laptop time right into the night.
Why not signal the end of your day with a relaxing face mask like the Kimberly Sayer Antioxidant Hydrating Mask (£22.80). Unique, anti-aging leave on treatment mask that tightens, firms and hydrates the skin, leaving it soft and supple. Contains Olive Extract, Essential Oils, Antioxidants and Kimberly Sayers patented “Plant Pseudocollagen” to renew skin cells and rebuild the collagen and elastin. Not only will your skin love you but you’ll work more productively knowing that there is a clear start and end to your day.
