As many of us have discovered over recent months, working from home does come with some perks: not having to contend with the daily commute (and potentially being late for work), more productive hours in the day, and having a better work-life balance.
However, remote working is also not without its challenges, particularly for many of the ‘newbies’ who weren’t perhaps accustomed to working in isolation before. For some, the lack of social interaction with colleagues will have been a very lonely experience, and for others, trying to keep motivated will have been difficult surrounded by so many distractions in the home.
If you are responsible for teams who are working remotely, here are my five top tips for how to remain physically and mentally fit while working from home, which may be useful to share with them.
1 Take regular breaks and keep moving
With the pressure on to get the job done and focus on tasks and deadlines, it can be difficult for employees to know when to switch off. It is becoming increasingly difficult for many of us to distinguish between when personal time begins and work time ends.
Taking regular five-minute breaks throughout the day can help to avoid burnout. You could use this time to tackle a quick domestic-related task, or to do some stretches. According to psychologists, taking regular breaks can help prevent decision fatigue and boosts overall productivity and energy levels.
Moving while you’re working is another great way to relieve stress and give your body a bit of a break. Using a standing desk is a good way to do this – most are height-adjustable and can move up and down as you go from sit to stand, then back to sit again. If your business intends to implement remote working indefinitely or even permanently, investing in ergonomic furniture like sit-stand desks that support movement while working may be good to consider.
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2 Revamp your to-do list
As workloads ramp up, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the constant stream of tasks on your ‘to-do’ list. One way to regain a sense of control is to plan your time and estimate how long each task will take. You could decide to tackle more challenging tasks at the start of the day, when your energy levels are higher or at a point when there will be a natural lull in work calls.
3 Look after your emotional needs
As we have all spent so much time on virtual meetings that focus solely on work-related topics and challenges, it has been easier to overlook the social and interpersonal aspect of work relationships.
It is really important to take time out to socialise with co-workers and simply touch base with how they’re feeling. Why not initiate a quick non-work related team chat at the start of each day, or get together once a week for an online 15-minute coffee break and catch-up.
Starting a conversation purely for social purposes is vital for banishing a sense of loneliness or isolation.
4 Reduce the strain on your eyes
As we’re all experiencing: spending prolonged hours glued to screens can result in eye strain. So, if possible, position screens so that you’re working in indirect ‘soft’ white light, adjusting the text size and contrast of displays for maximum comfort.
Eye, and mental fatigue, are much more likely if you’re continually focused on a screen, so every half an hour or so, take a moment to gaze at a distant object for 15 seconds. Plus, when you take a five-minute break, why not just take the opportunity to close your eyes and give them a complete ‘waking’ rest.
5 Know when it’s time to ‘switch off’
It is super important that, at the end of the day, you disconnect from your screen, and reconnect with yourself, your family and friends. The never-ending stream of notifications we receive from our smartphones is draining, and takes a toll on our mental wellbeing.
Unplugging and disconnecting from technology after work is key to recharging your energy levels. Try switching off your phone for the evening, or have a phone- and device-free mealtime. You may even find that giving yourself a break means you’ll be more relaxed and productive the next day.
The golden rule
In this current situation, it’s important to recognise when your employees’ stress levels may be getting too much – both physically and emotionally. These five stress-busting tips offer managers, and their employees, some practical steps on how to manage and prevent stress when working from home as we continue to navigate through very uncertain times.
By Richard Guy, Country Sales Manager UK & Ireland at Ergotron
About the author
Richard Guy is the Country Sales Manager UK & Ireland at Ergotron. Having worked for the company for 10 years, Richard has expert knowledge and experience in the ergonomic furniture and equipment industry.
