Living Online with a Healthy Life Balance
With Covid-19 holding the world in its grip, working from home and doing business from your kitchen table has become the new normal. Some people love working from home and say that they are more productive without all the distractions they have in an office. For other people, it’s the exact opposite. Some find that there are more distractions at home (doing some laundry in between meetings maybe?), and find it hard to keep focused for 8 hours without having someone to talk to. And, with the perspective that we’ll be in it for the long run, I want to share some tips on how to keep your focus, stay productive, and stay motivated.
Find your zone
Not everyone has the luxury of having a separate office in their home, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a dedicated space to work. It’s easy to just sit on your couch with your laptop or even on your bed, but doing so is terrible for your posture and makes it difficult to draw a line between your working space and your living space. You can clear up your kitchen table and make it your workspace, or you can make a nook in your living room. Whatever floats your boat.
Just make sure that you can separate your work in your home environment. A bed is for sleeping, just as much as a working space is for working.
Get into a routine
Humans are creatures of habit. Don’t just roll out of bed and start to work. If you had the habit of getting a coffee before your morning commute, keep it! Make a pot of coffee, pour yourself a cup, and sit down for a bit before you open your computer. Get out of those pajama pants. This doesn’t mean you have to wear a suit at home, but at least change into some other clothes. And plan your day. Fill up your calendar with tasks and even breaks if you want. Or make a to-do list and cross things off as you go. It’s important to have an idea of what you want to accomplish each day.
The goal is to avoid getting sucked into a Netflix or YouTube void, doing 2 weeks’ worth of laundry, or making friends with your neighbor’s cats.
Get yourself in the zone
Did you listen to music in the office? Do the same at home! Put on your favorite playlist to increase productivity and even have a small dance break when your favorite song comes on. It’s an all-in-one solution. You feel happy from listening to your favorite music, you get a small break to give your brain a rest, and you increase your productivity — all at the same time.
Another thing I tell people to do is to decorate their workspace with nice but non-distracting decorations like plants (try to keep them alive!) or pictures of your family. This way the space feels like a desk and not just an empty table.
Plan your breaks into your calendar
Like I said before, it’s easy to get distracted when you work from home, and sometimes that means you don’t take a proper break. Don’t feel guilty about taking breaks. You take them at the office, so why wouldn’t you do the same at home? And when you take a break, step away from your computer and your working space. Spend some time with people you live with or go out on your balcony or in your garden to get some fresh air.
Same for your lunch break. Don’t eat your lunch in front of your laptop or tv. If the weather allows, take it outside to your nearest park, or have a facetime with a friend or family member to get that feeling of having lunch together. It’s not only about eating your lunch but also about giving your brain a break as well.
Keep your evenings and weekends for yourself
It’s important to have a distinction between work and social life. Know when to put your laptop away and end your working day. Plan something nice with your family or friends in the evenings or weekends, even if it’s just a virtual call. It’s something to look forward to when you are working and it gives you a reason to log off and spend time with the people you love.
Work won’t run away and the world won’t end if you occasionally don’t finish something. Remember, there’s always tomorrow…
The right nutrition is key
Talking about lunches, the right nutrition is important to keep that focus. Don’t open that snack drawer every hour to get a pack of chips or a candy bar. Cut up some pieces of fruit in the morning or even the night before and make a big bowl of fruit salad to snack on during the day. Foods that are known to help with concentration are leafy greens like kale or spinach, fish with its omega-3 fatty acids that boost your brain, whole grains, nuts, and my favorite — chocolate. And don’t forget to drink plenty of water; you have to keep hydrated during your workday.
Moderation is key. Of course you can have that Mars bar and your afternoon latte, but switch it up with other snacks and food as well. Your body and brain will thank you.
Get up and take a walk
The same goes for exercising. You don’t have to run a marathon every day, but getting your body moving helps keep you focused and refreshes your energy. It’s scientifically proven that taking an exercise break provides a brain boost. The endorphins that get released after exercising get you a natural burst of energy. The weather is still nice, so schedule a gym class outside where an instructor keeps you motivated and you can enjoy some personal interaction.
Also think about incorporating some home workouts. There are plenty of YouTube channels and apps with short workouts you can use during breaks or as part of your morning or evening routine.
In a world where multitasking and working from home are the new reality, these tips can help you to maintain your concentration and focus and help you reach your daily work goals. And one final but very important tip: if your brain doesn’t want to work with you, don’t force it. Everyone has off-days in the office so it definitely happens at home as well. Listen to your body and give yourself a well-deserved rest.
