During this recent outbreak of COVID-19 epidemic, most of us are working remotely from home. Working from home has its perks but sometimes it becomes boring. Home is usually more comfortable and provides a low-pressure environment for study and work.
Before 2020 most have a fixed routine where the workweek begins with Monday and finishes through Friday. But after the spreading of COVID 19, this routine is widely disturbed. Most of the offices are now temporarily closed and many of them allowed their employees to work from home. The same situation is with students, most colleges and libraries are temporarily closed. You need to study from home and submit your assignments online. Classes are held online and group studies are organised using the video conferencing. But working and studying from home can be challenging you may find yourself easily distracted by your pet, family members, televisions, bed, home and kitchen appliances and many more. But if you are following some best practices and adopt some changes in your routine then working from home can also be more productive.
Here are some tips and ways you should follow to study and work smart from home
Establish a dedicated working area – You should always create a physical boundary between your working area and your relaxation area. You should install a proper desk and a comfortable chair. In the offices, we have dedicated workstation which has a comfortable chair and desk. If you are uncomfortable while working then you will be exhausted very quickly. A dedicated area will help you to stay focused and more productive. We need to make phone calls, be in team meetings so the working area must be quiet.
You should properly install an air conditioner to maintain the ideal working temperature. According to a study for maximum human output, there should be a proper balance between humidity and temperature. The ideal working temperature is 20-22 degree Celsius while humidity must be in a range of 30-50%. A good air conditioner will help to achieve this ideal condition.
Keep it tidy – It is obvious for us to be disciplined while working or studying at home, and even harder if the place is cluttered. If there are a stack of dishes, laundry around you then it will be difficult to focus. It will hardly take 15-30 minutes to arrange and clean your room. A clean and tidy room makes the calmer and helps to concentrate. Organise your desktop, stationery, place your coffee mug properly. There are chances you may accidentally spill coffee and water on your documents and laptop.
Don’t leave your workspace unattended – While working from home you many kids playing around, they might close your laptops, of tear the documents. It is always advisable to keep the sensitive documents inside the locker and also always lock your laptop and save your work before closing.
Establish a routine – You should treat your home like an office or classroom. Properly set a time to wake up, freshen up, eat breakfast, and get well dressed.
You should give ample time to family engagements, entertainment, social gatherings. Is doesn’t mean if you are working from home then you should work for a longer time. Make a clear distinction between your professional life and personal life.
You have seen many of us like to listen to soft music while working. It will give an extra layer of concentration during the work.
Take advantage of Online applications – There is much software which provides the facility of the team meeting, sharing, online presentations and many more. These applications very useful for small as well as big organisations. You can use them to share your thoughts with the client as well as your members to seek an update.
If you are running a small business then you can use online platforms to promote your business. Nowadays there are many ways paid promotions from social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Google.
Eat Well, Sleep Well – A sound and effective 8-hour sleep is important for better functioning of your brain. Take a light meal and have 7-8 hour of sound sleep. You should also take a small gap between your work. You should not be sitting in the same position for a longer time. It is not good for health as well as after some time you will start losing your interest in work. You can also take a small walk while taking the calls. If you are working on computers then better take a small coffee break of 10 minutes after every 1-2 hours.
You should always eat healthy foods to keep yourself energized. Eating fried or junk foods may lead to lousy and laziness. You should drink lots of water and fluids. It is advisable to drink juices, lemon water, soda and plenty of water while working. These will help you to keep hydrated.
Exercise regularly – Studies show our brainpower gets a boost following even a short workout, as our bodies are pumping oxygen and nutrients to the brain. It is advisable to take a small or run for a mile. You should do small yoga or cardio exercises, which will not only improve your health but also help to keep the energised the whole day. Get relax for some time, relax doesn’t mean to close your laptop and surf the internet on mobile. Relax means close your eyes for some time and concentrate on your breathing.
Avoid Multitasking – Arrange your time in such a way so that you should focus on one thing at a time. You should complete your work soon and then dedicate your time for family kids and yourself.
Working from home has its own advantages but at the same time sometimes you miss the working atmosphere of the office. Some of these above steps may help you to create a proper environment for work and study at home.
