As research into how the 2020 coronavirus pandemic continues to shape America by the Pew Research Center shows, 60% of workers feel more productive working at their workplace compared to at home.
There can be various reasons for this, e.g. Not having adequate space or equipment at home, or chances to progress. However, for many of us, it is also easy to simply lose steam without our colleagues to bounce off, or varied office life breaking up the day.
But since the calls to work at home due to the coronavirus outbreak of Spring 2020, many of us are still tapping away from the comfort of our sofa or home desk – in fact, nearly four times the number of employed adults are doing so compared to before the pandemic, as the Pew Research Center also explains.
All this working from home and avoiding hefty commutes and squeaky office chairs and harsh strip lights can seem like a luxury, but after a while, we might be missing simple things such as pick-me-up hallway conversations.
Here are some ways to stay creative and pep up your workflow mojo!
Walk (or run) back to work
A stroll or jolly jogging jaunt around the block all the way back home starts the working day and gets the brain firing.
Setting a timer for when you sit down at your desk and begin work can motivate you to get out there in time before the alarm goes off.
Get the limbs moving first thing, and you might also find you take more breaks throughout the day to stretch and move, helping you stay on the ball with work as well as your feet.
Daylight energy savings
However possible, creating a suitable workspace for yourself at home may be easier when it’s your own furniture you can move around (without uprooting several colleagues).
Access to the most daylight possible can be incredibly beneficial to your work output as this important study by Cornell University Professor Alan Hedge proves. Finding a space to work at home by a window can decrease your drowsiness by up to 56%, and reduce eyestrain by nearly as much, according to his research.
Take regular breaks
This is a biggy – make sure you find a way to keep taking breaks so you can relax your body and mind and get your eyes away from the screen.
All those little interruptions from colleagues can provide us with a mini pause from the task at hand. Without realizing it, these little moments can keep us creative and inspired, as we return to working with a slightly new frame of mind.
There are countless ways to help us take frequent breaks, from setting your alarm to using the popular technique of 25min work windows as Francesco Cirillo advises with his Pomodoro method. The Pomodoro app, books, and technique sheets to support your productivity with this method are all available through the website.
Whichever way you choose, stick to it, and enjoy more little moments to chill!
Call up that colleague
Zipping emails across can seem like a time-saver, but why not get connected by phone and get the full picture (plus juicy gossip)?
Knowing you won’t disturb other colleagues, or have anyone listening in, you may find you have more insightful and honest conversations.
Curate your soundtrack
At last! No more office embarrassment as you hit up the kettle shimmying to Copacabana or belting out a Whitney Houston hit for the tenth time.
Over the day, a soothing soulful jazz number can ease you out of a mental corner, and a hip funky hit pep you up for a deadline.
Enjoy some musical pick-me-ups and practice sessions for the next team karaoke!
Try out a new hobby
While taking your all-important breaks, make the most of being in your own space and get your creative juices flowing.
Just 5 minutes of drawing, singing, playing music, or puzzle-completing can revive your brain as well as any power nap. Change is as good as a rest, as they say.
As long as you don’t get swept away creating a masterpiece that could somewhat detract from your day job…
Take a breath of fresh air
As we all know, it is a chance to enjoy the freedom to get outside. Research by the University of Minnesota tells us that lower stress hormones, increased self-esteem, and a better mood result from time in nature.
If you can take your laptop somewhere among trees or grass, then it’s worth the trip. Even a small walk as a daily ritual will help you clock up those feel-good vibes.
Save time for your pastimes
Your workday can easily merge into your evening without a sweaty commute home. Clocking off at a set time not only helps you maintain energy throughout your work but also means you keep your sacred free time exactly that.
So, make sure you keep sight of those important hobbies that make you tick and feel inspired, confident, and motivated, whatever the week brings.
Sanity tick list
Whichever ways you find suit you best to keep your sanity while being cast adrift at home, keep them up and even write them down. A sanity tick list can be just as important as a work agenda in keeping your work up to scratch.
Now, where’s that Whitney mic Skype-call headset…
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