The Dos And Don'ts Of Working From Home

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As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of people are now working from home. The remote working culture had begun catching on, but the pandemic made it necessary for people to learn how to work from home. The transition has been an adjustment for many people, especially with the lines between work and home life become increasingly blurred. Thanks to technology, working remotely is possible today and a practice expected to carry on even after the pandemic is over.

The digital age is increasingly making it easier to work remotely, work part-time, and research shows that more people are inclined to perform better remotely than in an office setting. Not to disregard a practice that's worked well in the past, but people can enjoy the freedom to choose between working from an office, at home or alternating home and office.

Remote working carries with it a lot of benefits, chief among them, no more long and arduous commutes, office rivalries, long meetings, hours picking what to wear to work and control over your work hours. On the flip side, working from home can be a gateway to losing yourself in your career or home life. Combining your work and home life requires strict guidelines and boundaries to keep them separated even under the same room.

Therefore, let us touch on some of the dos and don’ts of working from home. Even as we discuss this, it is crucial to remember that techniques vary from person to person. What works for you might not work for someone else. We can all agree that the dos and don’ts are needed to avoid a stressful work from home experience.

The do’s

• Do have a schedule

Whether you admit to it or not, you often fall into a routine. It’s not just you; all humans develop habits to give them structure in their day-to-day. If you don’t formulate a schedule that encompasses all aspects of your life, you are very likely to neglect some parts of your life like health, wellbeing and, in the face of remote working, home and personal lives, suffer the most. Working at home does not mean that you should put in a lot of extra hours. It is essential to allocate work hours and have a hard stop when it’s time to do something else. As you create your schedule, remember to account for flexibility.

• Do mind your hygiene.

The popular saying online that how you look can determine how you feel comes into play here. Now that you’re not worrying about ironing and planning your work clothes for the next day, it is easy to get sucked into a ‘pajamas all day’ lifestyle. Working in bed, having breakfast at noon and spending the day in your nightclothes, even forgetting to take a shower. These things will inhibit your productivity. It is crucial that you start your day fresh and treat your work from home days as you would days to go to the office.

• Do have an office space.

The list of distractions for remote workers is even longer than that at an office. You are comfortable at home, and your bed calls to you, the tv begs to be watched, your pet wants your attention, and with the fridge right there, it is hard not to give in to temptation. The way to beat this is by having a dedicated area for your work. If you don’t have a home office, carve out a corner in your home that you can convert into a work area. Today, standing desks come in different sizes; you can pick from the Flexispot range of standing desks that would fit right into your space. Don’t forget to look at ergonomic chairs and accessories while you check out the Flexispot sit-stand desks.

The don'ts

• Don’t procrastinate

Second to distractions, procrastination is one of the biggest struggles for remote workers. This is why having a work or day plan is essential. It is important to organize your workday and recognize why you may be reluctant to complete some tasks.

• Don’t forget to take breaks.

Most remote workers have difficulty deciding when to put a pin on a task and take a short break. It is always one last thing before you take a break, and the next thing you know, the day is gone, and it's pushing midnight. Having breaks within your workday is vital whether you’re working at home or in an office.

In addition to taking breaks, it is important to take meaningful breaks, don’t just recline on the couch or your work area, be active and walk around, do some exercise and take that time to fix your next meal.

• Don’t ignore your posture.

Remote workers are among the most affected by bad posture, and, incredibly, furniture manufacturers are working on solutions to help with posture. The sit-stand desks, for instance, are excellent at assisting workers in correcting their posture. Flexispot offers a wide variety of standing desks and other office ergonomics that will benefit your posture and overall health.

Now armed with the knowledge of the dos and don’ts of working from home, it is time to put them into practice!

Celebrate Flexispot Day this May 24 - 30 by taking advantage of all the available discounts and deals on high-quality ergonomics that you need for your ideal workspace!

*This article was written by Teddy Muyeka.

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