7 Remote Work Recommendations

If you’re working from home (like me) then you’ll value anything that makes your life easier.

Never before the expression “creature comforts”  was so well placed. 

Going forward, you want to make sure you continue to be productive whilst working from home. This is the future and there is hardly a return from it, the pandemic only precipitated it.

We are familiar with most of the numbered points. We know we will rip benefits in sticking to them, but it can be hard for anybody to self-discipline to a routine.

it is important to go back to the drawing board, finding a consistent method and making sure we stick to it. Find a good balance between your career and wellbeing. Then everything else will fall into place.

1. Sit straight!

It is important to continuously ensure your posture, whilst sitting down for long periods of time, is a correct and comfortable one. I’ve tried using the laptop as per its original design, but it was not designed for routine use. 

Sitting on my bed has shown to be an ergonomic challenge. It was ok for one week. I’ve also tried using a portable table by the bed but then I started getting backaches, there was no back support. 

I sorted it out by finding a comfortable chair. Failing that the kitchen/dining table is probably the next best thing. 

2. Break often

The best way to do this is to set reminders on your phone. I know I have to do this, otherwise, I get so zoned into my work that I can miss breaks, lunch. (And I’m sure it was causing bladders stretching…) NOT GOOD! 

If you are employed, the UK law states you are entitled to 20 minutes per each six-hour period. Try and spread those break times in a balanced way throughout the day. 

There’s no legal stand about the safety of working on display screen equipment. But the

 Health and Safety Executive recommends 5 or 10 minutes every hour. If you are self-employed, you can afford this health and safety “luxury”.

Take these breaks to stretch your whole being! Fuel up on healthy meals (now that you have the control to prepare. No more excuses for not having the time. And no lingering to unhealthy snacks!

Make sure you keep yourself hydrated. I was not much of a pure water drinker myself, I’m barely ever thirsty. In fact, if I don’t go to the gym or is Summer all my liquid intake resumes to coffee, milk, tea and wine. 

But working from home restricted my movements. And cramps started to creep in whenever I stretched. I found out the hard way (and some research) that these can be avoided if we drink a reasonable amount of water. Drink up, fellow remote-workers! 

3. Accessorize

Noise-cancelling headphones are a God-send! For those of us who are parents to small children (for obvious reasons), these are not recommended. My choice goes for Bluetooth-enabled ones.

4. Remote Outdoors

When the lockdown is lifted and it’s safe to do so and if you know the places that welcome remote workers, it’s brilliant! 

• Cafés
• Garden Centres
• Libraries
• Hotel Lounges
• Coworking hubs or hotdesk spaces (at a more reasonable cost than paying for another rent, you pay a monthly fee and have access to a bunch of perks as well. Free coffee or access to gym facilities) If you find the idea interesting try this search.

5. Keep Distractions Off

Make sure you discipline yourself as well as others around you. Keep all distractions away during your working hours. This means ideally all your notifications should be off. ESPECIALLY Social Media ones, because they can be irresistible.

6. Move

With every break (and other opportunities) move and even jump around. It gets the heart pumping, the blood flowing (kicks your brain), warms you up and improves the mood.

7. Reset

Sleep is essential to a fully functioning body. As vital as the water we drink. See it as a full reset as it is your most valuable device. 

Remember those moments in some days where you feel like you’re hitting a brick wall? 

You can’t focus and think about that same topic anymore, you can’t find an answer no matter how hard you try. Even a break doesn’t do the trick. A good night sleep will 9/10 give you the answer.

See? Easy peasy! 

Stay safe everyone!