Miscellaneous Articles & Tips
14 Tips to Work Efficiently from Home

 

It’s important to take care of yourself both physically and mentally. This article focuses on ways to work from home more efficiently to better support yourself in both mind and body. Follow the tips to work faster, smarter, and happier!

 

• Create a dedicated ‘office’. Set yourself up in a space conducive to work, even if it’s simply a desk or table. Make sure to keep this space organized, well-lit, and appealing.

• Set up an ergonomic workspace. Making sure your desk and computer are set up in a way that supports your posture is key and will help increase your productivity. Your legs should be at a 90-degree angle, your elbows should fall flush with the table or desk, and the top of your computer should be at eye level.

• If you are sharing your home space with others, communicate expectations. There are many distractions at home that can get in the way of your work. Wearing headphones will reduce noise and keep you focused. If possible, plan meetings and calls at differing times to avoid talking over each other.

• Set a schedule and stick to it. While working from home allows more flexibility, creating a schedule and maintaining it will help you to stay on track and ensure you’re spending your time wisely.

• Routine. Set aside time for yourself to begin and end your workday. Start your day with a coffee or morning stretch before turning on your computer. End your day with a walk or even something as simple as shutting down your computer. Creating these daily routines and remaining consistent will help signal your brain when it is time to begin and end your day.

• Schedule breaks. When working from home, it can be difficult to stop what you’re doing and allow yourself to take a break, but it’s important. If your job requires you to sit for hours at a time, standing and moving are especially important. And don’t forget to take lunch breaks!

• Keep a To-Do list. It’s easy to forget things when we don’t commit them to paper, especially when you have multiple things going on at once. Keep an Excel file or a notepad handy and add to it every time you think of a task that needs to be completed. Review and prioritize your tasks every night so you can hit the ground running in the morning. And checking items off your to-do list feels great!

• Get ready for work first thing in the morning. As tempting as staying in our pajamas all day can be, getting dressed and ready for the day as you normally would if you were working at the office can help to motivate you and put you in a professional state of mind.

• Meal prep. Prepping your food the night before will save you time. There are many different platforms that offer easy recipes and tips. It’s easy to reach for a bag of chips, so make sure to include healthy snacks in your planning!

• Get proper sleep. Sleep is one of the most important things for our bodies and brains. Do you have difficulty falling asleep at night? Carve time out for yourself every night to maintain a relaxing routine to help you get into the motions of sleep before you get in bed. Make tea or a hot beverage, read a book, take a bath, practice meditation.

• Get outside. Make sure you schedule at least a few minutes every day to get outside. Breathe in the fresh air and soak up some sunshine!

• Interact with others. Making mental health a priority is so important, especially during challenging times. Did you know that social interaction can help with this? Reach out to colleagues, schedule regular video calls, connect with your friends or family.

• Training/Workshops. Have you thought of taking training or attending workshops that might help you to advance in your role or career? Looking for something new and exciting? Sign up for that course you’ve been eyeing, join that activity. Treat yourself, you deserve it!

• Be kind to yourself. Things don’t always go as planned, and that’s ok. Don’t be hard on yourself if you didn’t manage to stick to your routine or complete all the tasks on your to-do list. You’re doing your best, and that’s what counts!