Thriving While Working from Home

Working remotely can offer increased flexibility and comfort, but it’s important to be aware of some of the common challenges, such as feelings of isolation or upending the structure of your typical day.

There are some basic actions that you can take to help smooth the transition.

Maintain your typical routine as much as possible. Routine brings a sense of normalcy, which is important when you’re dealing with additional stressors and uncertainty [1]. Getting dressed as if going into the office, and having a dedicated work area, separate from the spaces used for rest and relaxation in the home, helps.

Plan for the week ahead, but take things one day at a time. That might mean picking out clothes the night before and preparing lunches and snacks to support your daily routine. Try to take things one day at a time by listing your main goals and priorities for work each morning. Turn off alerts on your phone, play relaxing music, and tidy up your workspace to help you focus [2].

Maintaining social connection requires creativity. Stay connected to teammates: schedule at least one call, virtual meeting or a check-in email a day. Consider joining an online fitness class or if you go out for a walk, say hello to others while observing physical distancing. We can still be sociable while physically distant. Do your best to leave work behind at the end of the day to be fully present with loved ones.

A few other tips to consider for getting the most out working remotely:

• Take a lunch break and step away. Take time to nourish your mind, body, and spirit. Have lunch away from your workspace, preferably in another room.
• Mindfulness. The practice of being present and in the moment improves focus, concentration, memory and emotional self-regulation. Take 10 minutes a day to practice mindfulness. One resource you can access is the 30 Day UBC Mindfulness Challenge.
• Take micro- breaks. Incorporate things like stretching, opening a window for fresh air, stepping outside, or taking a healthy snack break in your day. One technique is to set a timer every 30 minutes to recharge and refocus [3].

Take positive action by acknowledging what is out of your control and focus on what is in your control. Focus on maintaining routine and social connection. Create space for actions that promote rest, movement, gratitude, and acts of kindness to keep resilient.

Article by: Amanda Swoboda, Wellbeing Specialist, UBC Okanagan

References:

[1] https://news.columbia.edu/news/stay-calm-and-create-daily-routine-during-covid-19-crisis

[2] https://www.forbes.com/sites/jacquelynsmith/2012/08/16/how-to-succeed-at-working-from-home/#7d7fb207281d

[3] https://thriveglobal.com/stories/how-to-stay-focused-productive-work-from-home-tips/