Tips for Working From Home During the Coronavirus Pandemic

It's become a stressful time for everyone at the moment. People are full of anxiety and panic about catching and spreading the coronavirus which is why it's important for us all to self isolate if we're able to.

A lot of people have also been told to start working from home who never have before and that of course, can be scary. I've been working from home for almost 3 years now and it's safe to say I've nailed down a routine that works for me to stay as productive as possible.

Don't work from your bed

As tempting as it is, don't work from your bed. I used to have to do this as people needed to be downstairs and my room can't fit a desk. Luckily right now (before we go into lockdown anyway), everyone's at work so I'm able to work in the living room where I have a table. Your bedroom should be used for sleeping only and working in there can affect your sleep schedule due to finding it hard to turn off.

Set up a morning routine

Before I got into fitness, I didn't really have much of a morning routine. I would basically wake up and start working from my bed straight away, then after about half an hour, I would have my breakfast. Do something in the morning that sets you up for the day. For me, that means working out. I'm usually used to going to the gym as it allows me to get my steps in and be in a different environment other than my house. Of course, right now it isn't necessary to go to the gym so I've been doing home workouts as soon as I wake up.

Reward yourself

I personally like to work in short time frames rather than long as it helps my productivity. Reward yourself with Netflix episodes or a gaming session as you reach milestones. I like to play Ratchet and Clank or watch episodes of Atypical during this time. It helps me feel as if I have set goals for the day rather than just playing it by ear. 

Get out of the house 

Obviously, it's a little more complex than that right now but fresh air is still important. Go for a short walk if your country allows it, sit in the garden or even do a workout in the garden. As humans, we aren't made to function inside constantly and it's amazing what a bit of air can do. 

Stay in contact

Stay in contact with your co-workers during this time. Set up a Skype call and share any worries or questions you may have. This might be new territory for a lot of you so it's important to still have real conversations instead of texts and emails.