5 Tips That Will Help You Thrive While Working From Home

Be responsive

When you’re part of a remote team, that team relies on online communication tools to relay important messages. Responding to messages or adding a thumbs-up or a checkmark emoji will show the team that you’re paying attention. To help you remember important messages, save them in a place you can easily reference. 

Define your workspace

It’s beneficial to have a designated workspace that’s not in one of your living areas, such as your bedroom or living room. Susan Hallbeck, director of healthcare-system engineering at the Mayo Clinic, says that your back, hips, and neck are more strained when you’re on a soft surface like a couch or a bed. From headaches to arthritis to neck pain, if you’re on a soft surface, “you’re really not supported in a way that’s conducive to work,” Susan says. What’s recommended is having a comfortable chair with proper back support and keeping your screen at eye level.

Create a morning routine

Often, remote employees wake up, grab a cup of coffee and a snack, then go straight to opening their laptops to work. But from that point on, the whole day can feel like rushing from one thing to the next. Instead of being in a go-go-go state as soon as you wake up, consider creating a morning routine to set the tone for a healthy and productive day. For instance, create a short routine, like drinking green juice, doing five minutes of tai-chi, and reading a chapter in your current book. Or, try a long routine, like eating breakfast and following it up with an hour’s walk (no technology allowed).

Create a daily routine

A daily routine is just as important as your morning routine. As we touched on before, find what works for you by trying a few different schedules. Maybe that means working in the early morning, afternoon, or evening. Or perhaps that means working four days a week and relaxing or adventuring three days a week. Aim to have a plan for your mornings, afternoons, and evenings. For instance, follow your morning routine early, follow your work schedule in the afternoon, and catch up with loved ones in the evenings. 

Take regular breaks

Working from home generally results in less walking and moving around, which can negatively affect your long-term health. To prevent this, try setting scheduled alarms every 45 minutes to remind you to get up, stretch, and walk around for a few minutes. If possible, move away from your workstation during breaks to help you refresh before returning to work. Alternatively, you can try the Pomodoro Technique. In short, this method structures a five-minute break every 25 minutes. It’s been touted with such benefits as reducing mental exhaustion and improving concentration. Even a five or 10-minute break can be refreshing, so try not to steamroll through the day without pausing.