In the midst of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, most companies are implementing work-from-home policies. That means lots of people are dealing with a new challenge…working from home for the first time, full-time. As a blogger'/influencer, I’ve been doing this for several years and it does have it’s challenges!

Home can be distracting and it’s sometimes hard to find the balance so that you reap the benefits of being home, but also still feel professional. I’ll admit that some days are harder than others. Some days, for me…I’ll look up from my computer and realize it’s almost noon and I’m still in my pajamas…did I just admit that?! Anyway, that brings me to the point of this post. Staying in your pajamas and making the day an all day snack fest is not going to make you feel good about yourself.

Here are a few of my tips for getting your work done while still maintaining some sense of mental health. Let’s all make the most of this situation!

Get Dressed

Like I said above, this one is easy to skip, but it helps so much as far as making you feel professional! If you don’t get dressed, I promise you won’t be nearly as productive. Treat this as you would your regular job and pretend like someone is going to see you…you actually may have a video call!

Dressing as formally as you usually would isn’t necessary, but the act of changing clothes sends a signal that it’s time to get things done! Put on something that’s comfortable, but still presentable. This change in your everyday routine may make you feel cut off from what’s normal in the world, and anything you can do to create a new routine and a new normal is going to help.

As a side to this, I would also recommend meditating and doing some kind of physical activity before starting work. This is a great form of self care which will also make you feel more positive.

Designate a Workspace or Home Office

I think it’s a good idea to keep your work space separate from your home space. Again, just like getting dressed, this sends a signal that it’s time to work and keeps your spaces from getting blurred. You do need to disconnect from your work. If you don’t have a separate room, create a corner or part of room that can serve as a home office.

It’s important to try to make your work space as beautiful, comfortable and functional as possible. Light is important as light increases the brains release of serotonin, which is a mood booster.

As I sit and eat hummus at my desk, I will tell you that it’s best not to eat at your desk. I have a repairman in the kitchen fixing the oven, otherwise, I would be in there having lunch. Be adaptable, but keep a routine as much as possible. You can also work in blocks so you’re not sitting too long. I recommend working for a couple of hours, and taking a 15 - 30 minute break. Usually, I use this time to put a load of laundry in, check the mail, or get something to eat. It’s hard to get it all done sometimes!

Keep Clearly Defined Working Hours

This may be one of the hardest things, especially at first. If you still need to collaborate via video calls or other ways, it may seem easier to stay on the same schedule as your coworkers. Try to treat yourself like an employee and hold yourself accountable for getting your work done. On the flip side of that, don’t go overboard and work too much. Give yourself a signal, such as an evening walk so you’ll know subconsciously that it’s time to stop working. t’s important to stop in the evening and have some down time.

My children no longer live at home, so I don’t have to establish those boundaries, but my husband is working from home at this point and this has been an adjustment.

Don’t Get Too Sucked in by the News

As I said above, distraction can be a huge challenge when working from home. It’s normal to get somewhat distracted, but right now one of the biggest distractions is the news. Not only is it distracting, sometimes it’s downright frightening. While it’s important to stay informed, make sure you don’t turn into an anxious mess!

Don’t Forget to Socialize

One of the biggest things I found about working from home and owning my business is that it can be very isolating. If you’re used to going to an office everyday, you have a lot of social interaction and it can be hard to adjust to being alone. You still need to interact in some way with your coworkers and friends. I’ve mentioned video calls several times and they can also be great for social interaction! There is a lot of uncertainty in the world and just talking to others can help ease some of the anxiety and make things feel more “normal”

I’m including some pictures of a beautiful office in case you need a little inspiration! I’m aware that everyone can’t achieve this, but there are some small ideas you can incorporate into your space. For example, I love to have fresh flowers on my desk. Since spring is here, there is something blooming most everywhere that can brighten your space. If you don’t have flowers, light a candle that will make your space smell incredible.

Find a pretty glass or mug to keep water or hot tea in. It’ll make you feel special and taken care of! You could also scatter a few pictures of loved ones and fun times just as you would on your desk in any other office.

While I don’t recommend drinking alcohol while you’re working…that could be a disaster. this is still so pretty that I couldn’t resist including it! Stock your bar instead with healthy juices and water.

I’m sincerely trying to come up with interesting posts that are also helpful during this time! I hope this post has been helpful, or at least made you smile! Have the best day and stay positive!