While some businesses have started opening their doors again to customers, many of us are still working from home during the COVID-19 crisis. Remote work can be daunting even when there isn’t a pandemic. But With new work strategies, remote learning at schools, and few in-person interactions with friends and coworkers? You’re not alone if you’re overwhelmed.
To help you out during this stressful time, we’ve compiled some top tips to help making working from home during COVID-19 a little easier.
Designate a workspace
You may not have the luxury of a home office you can close the door on at the end of the workday. But that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to blend workspaces and play spaces. For instance, if you work on the couch from 8 AM to 5 PM and then you relax on the couch after you clock out for the day, there’s a chance your brain won’t catch on that you should be relaxing. This is one of the reasons why you never want to work in bed. Working in bed can negatively affect your sleep schedule and increase your risk of insomnia. Make sure to create separate areas of your home for each activity so you can put your work away mentally as well as physically at the end of the day.
Videochat in silence
It’s estimated that, by 2022, there will be over 6,200 U.S. coworking spaces. As social creatures, it’s no surprise that we love working together. With remote working, you may be missing the energy of your coworkers and the quiet buzz of having everyone in one room. To give yourself the same experience, consider video chatting with a few coworkers without actually talking. Working in silence while still working together can make you and your coworkers feel more productive and less alone.
Get the whole family outside
Many of us find ways to unwind at the end of the day. Your kids might like to play video games like Fortnite on the Android App, or computer games online. You might like to watch Netflix with your partner while enjoying a glass of wine. However, with both remote working and remote learning, it’s a good idea that both you and the kids take a break from your screens during the day. Go for a walk around the neighborhood or play a few games outside. It’s good to get at least 20 minutes of sunshine to give yourself a healthy dose of vitamin D, and getting out to stretch your legs will help you feel less like you’re trapped indoors.
Secure your data
Storage security is crucial in the modern enterprise and also for your peace of mind. The last thing you want is to get hacked or lose data while you’re working from home and don’t have direct access to your workplace’s IT team. To help keep your data secure, make sure to install tracking software on your computer, migrate your data to the cloud regularly, install updates, and use strong passwords. Additionally, make sure that you use a mobile firewall. Your phone can be hacked just like your computer.
Working from home can feel weird when you’re not used to it. But by following the tips above, you can make remote working a little bit easier.
