Working From Home: A Luxury or Necessity?

Before 2020, remote work was historically viewed as a luxury. Many of those who worked from home were perceived as fortunate enough to have the flexibility to be anywhere in the world. Unfortunately, a lot of that changed in 2020, as our world continues to adapt and overcome a global pandemic. Those who could maintain their employment were strongly encouraged to stay home and continue “business as usual,” as their companies worked tirelessly to adapt to a strictly virtual workplace. Working from home isn’t for everyone; however, with our global pandemic, many companies continue to push their “in-office” dates into 2022. Whether you’re new to this workspace or fairly established, “one-size does not fit all.” Here are our tips and tricks for maintaining a positive and healthy work-balanced lifestyle…

September 21, 2021

When Are You Most Productive?

In your new workspace, you may have discovered that you have fewer boundaries and a lot more flexibility in your schedule. Perhaps you feel a bit scattered? Some people may be experiencing a lack of structure or motivation because there’s no longer a need to plan around a morning commute. Many of us used our time to get ready, compiled with our morning commute as a way to “warm-up” for the day. Let’s think about it: How long does it take for you to get “warmed up”? Consider establishing a morning routine that invites your mind and body to loosen up and prepare for your daily work tasks.

Are you most productive during the early morning or mid-morning? If your current employment position allows for it, schedule your tasks around your peak productivity times. Perhaps you enjoyed your office schedule? Why not create a similar structure at home that you know will benefit your productivity and daily tasks.

Have you considered creating a work schedule that incorporates rest, meals, movement, and personal time? Understanding your body clock and optimal performance hours will define structure into your routine and train your mind and body for consistency. At the same time, having the freedom to ‘work whenever, wherever’ sounds ideal, sometimes it’s just as good to incorporate predictability into your schedule, allowing you an opportunity to prioritize your daily tasks and allot specific time to accomplish your activities.

Be Intentional

While working from home is a dream come true for some, it’s created a very stressful situation for many others. Whether you’re an extrovert or introvert, you may have found that working from home doesn’t particularly mesh with your personality type. Perhaps you enjoy the isolation and feel like you’re able to manage your time better without the distractions of office mates? Or, is the lack of in-person human interaction creating unwanted loneliness? Unfortunately, we’re in a situation where companies are opting out of returning to the office for the foreseeable future. As a working society, we need to be able to make the most out of our opportunities.

By being intentional, you choose to prioritize and identify clear goals that are important to you. While you may not enjoy your daily video calls, you’re able to prepare and muster up the energy for them through the act of being intentional. For some, video calls can create a stressful situation, and while it may not feel like it – they can undoubtedly deplete your energy. If being on these video calls creates anxiety, allow yourself an opportunity following your call to recharge and restore your energy. It’s hard for anyone to be “ON” all of the time, which is why being intentional and managing your “work pace” encourages you to dedicate specific energy amounts towards various tasks leading you to a more positive work-from-home environment.

Turning Cons into Pros

There are many situations where the “work from home life” chose them; they didn’t choose it. Certain days will feel better than others, and recognizing that many have been forced into a situation where this new normal is becoming long-term or even permanent, is intimidating. There are certainly many pros and cons to working from home; it’s essential to do your best to see the value in this new workspace and take advantage of all it offers.

Consciously Limiting Screen Time

It’s important to be conscious of your screen time and understand that breaks are certainly necessary. Throughout your workday, identify various ways to disconnect and ‘reboot.’ With technology connecting us, it’s crucial to find specific times that you can step away and reduce the extra time in front of your screen. Without the distraction of the water cooler and co-workers, we need to develop and identify strategies that we can incorporate into our daily routine that can limit the extra time in front of our screen(s).

Give yourself a brain break! Don’t you remember that lunch break you used to take when you left your office desk for 30-60 minutes? It’s time to do that again. You can use this time to get active and go for a walk, work out, or grab a bite to eat. While it doesn’t have to be as long, all you’re doing is looking to reduce your fatigue and give your brain a rest.

Increased Personal (and Family Time)

Do you remember having to leave so early in the morning because you had to fight for parking? Can you recall the specific travel time window that allowed you to get out early enough or stay late in order to avoid heavy traffic? Not any more! Eliminating work commutes has never felt so free! While some may enjoy the commute to and from the office because it allows time to wake up, become alert and get mentally ready for the day, others embrace this opportunity to sleep, spend time with family, and truly take care of themselves.

Working from home has enabled many families to experience the shuttling of children to extracurricular activities without enduring the unknowns of working late and unpredictable traffic congestion. “Work from home” parents can now share these moments with their children that they may not have been able to before the pandemic.

Healthier Eating Habits

You’ve said goodbye to your work commute, but now what used to be your regular dining spots are no longer easily accessible, and while you’ve always had the control to choose what you were consuming, now your options are solely up to you. Set a specific snack and meal schedule that provides energy, and choose foods that allow you to feel productive, not groggy.

If it looks like you have a laundry list of things to do, why not try meal prepping? It’s a great way to set up meals ahead of time so that when you are ready to eat, it’s something you know that you’ll enjoy eating, it’s quick, and it’s easy. Another great benefit of meal planning? You are in control of your health-conscious decisions! Always keep in mind the foods that will give you the energy to continue performing, rather than foods that make you feel stuffed and uncomfortable.

Working From Home Doesn’t Mean It’s Easier

Just because you’re not traveling to the office Monday through Friday, working from 9 AM to 5 PM means that you should be working from sunup to sundown. Often, those who work from home have been dismissed as lazy and unproductive because they are not in a face-to-face job; however, our pandemic has undoubtedly addressed this perspective.

Many people who do work from home find that because they do not have a commute or other distractions surrounding them, they tend to overwork, putting in more hours in a typical day than they did when they traveled to an office.

Blurry start and stop times tend to make it more difficult for people to relax or become motivated to begin. It’s important to establish hard lines that ensure you’re getting your job done to the best of your ability; while ensuring you have time to relax, unwind, and recharge.