3 Simple Daily Tips To Survive This Remote Work Quaran-time!

Whether you are new to working from home or seasoned, there are 3 simple things you can do to make it through each day!

"HOW do you work from home full-time?!" 

That's the question I have been getting these past few weeks from colleagues who work in-office, friends and family members. Wasn't it prior to COVID-19 that the majority of in-office workers were dreaming of the day they could work from home? Now, that day has come and most of us are longing to be reunited with our colleagues in our office settings!

Typically our days don't include being the homeschool teacher while participating in video meetings, taking calls in closets or bathrooms just to find privacy from our mini-coworkers or significant others, editing excel sheets and working creatively while your partner's all-day phone calls are so loud you can barely focus. This list goes on, but speaking from my experience, this present-day remote lifestyle is not an accurate representation of the normal remote culture I've known for the past 4 1/2 years.

The restriction to stay in the home is what is driving people to their breaking point, even me (you're not alone!). Everyday feels like Groundhog Day, but even I need to remember that our work, play, school and family time is all blended together, thus presenting feelings of confinement.

What I have learned is that a typical work-from-home day has defining moments, separation from our other responsibilities, something we are struggling to find right now. However, if you are new to working remotely, don't complicate this new (most likely temporary) way of life! Instead, try integrating the following three very simple things I have practiced over the years and see if it brings normalcy to your workday and home life during this quaran-time:

1.        GET READY FOR THE DAY

• "Really? This is your advice?" YES! It simply means take a shower, brush your teeth, change out of your pajamas into another comfortable outfit and make yourself feel ready to start the day.
• If I start my day getting dressed and doing minimal hair and makeup maintenance, I feel like I am more productive than days I roll out of bed and start working. Getting ready for the day also prepares our minds to start the day.

2.        MOVEMENT MATTERS

• These days, our time is filled with the physical closeness of others in our home. Even a whole family being under the same roof in separate rooms can make you feel as though you don't have any personal space, insert claustrophobia. That's why it is important to make time to step out of the home and move. Can't be alone? Get your kid(s) and furbabies involved!
• If I find that I am stuck on a project or just can't seem to find the words to draft my new creative messages, I get moving. My choice is to exercise outside during a lunch break or take my dog and toddler on a walk around the block. Kids have recess breaks for a reason--MOVEMENT is mood changing and helps with our level of focus. You don't have to get in the best shape of your life during this time, but changing your scenery and breathing fresh air will make a world of difference in your work performance and mood.

3.        LIMIT NEWS & MEDIA INTAKE

• We are being overwhelmed by news stories and negativity in the media, so limit the time you are spending on the pandemic news. Getting stuck in the news cycle brings anxiety, stress, sadness, and worry into your home and distracts us from providing our best to our jobs, families and our mental health. Yes, knowledge is power, however limiting your news update to 20 minutes per day is a healthy boundary to keep aware of what's going on while also protecting your mind and heart.
• Ingest other types of "noise" that will lift you up during this time. While working, I enjoy listening to Podcasts which helps to spark conversations with colleagues and friends, but also boosts my mood. Also, I love having music on as background noise throughout the day versus the TV. Find what you enjoy!

Are these the most simple tips you've ever read? Yes, possibly. However, are you doing these things daily or struggling to complete even one item? I challenge you to practice these pieces of advice for ONE week and check in with yourself about how you mentally feel! 

Rosey Pullmann | Healthcare Sourcing Recruiter | Remote Worker