Tania Diggory, Founder & Director of Calmer, an award-winning training organisation empowering entrepreneurs, freelancers, and business teams to nurture good mental health, has put together a selection of top tips for remote working during the current COVID-19 pandemic.
‘Working from home can seem like a dream come true for some, however in these uncertain times we face, many professionals now find themselves in a remote working situation out of necessity. Managing the boundaries of this reality can be tricky, not to mention anxiety-inducing, yet with careful planning, guidance and a refreshed perspective, we’ve seen how you can make your home workspace work for you,’ said Tania.
‘Although COVID-19 has presented an emergency response which has led to working from home for many people, remote working has been on the increase for a while and will continue to increase in today’s digital landscape, which will inevitably change the workplace dynamic. With this in mind, the team at Calmer have created an exclusive book, Working from Home: The Complete Calmer Guide to Remote Working, which provides actionable steps for successful remote working – from adopting a healthy mindset, to creating a mindful workspace, to ensuring high productivity.
This guide is due to be launched just before Easter and ahead of this, we wanted to share a few tips to help people who are new to remote working during the current COVID-19 pandemic.’
Plan your day each morning
Start your day with a planning session, grab a notepad and pen and write down what you’d like to get out of your working day to help set you on the right track. Having a clear structure for the day and knowing what you may need support within your team is important, and it will help you to reduce distractions.
Keep connected
We need human connection in order to thrive, so ensure you regularly connect with others in your personal and professional network. If you work alone, get in touch with people who lift your spirits, and for companies, be sure to communicate with your team at different times during the working day. We suggest occasionally booking in a virtual team meeting via video conferencing or one-to-one calls, as a healthy way to give that illusion of proximity.
Take a break
Taking a break while working remotely can feel like a challenge – it’s common to feel the need to stay connected to the laptop so that your colleagues or clients know you’re working. Stop. Breathe. Trust. We need breaks in the day in order to feel more productive, and numerous studies have highlighted the optimum time to take a break is around every 90 minutes or so.
Stretch your legs, make a comforting hot drink and/or focus the mind on something different. Try setting your alarm to remind you to take a break every 90 minutes or so; it’s good for your well-being and can boost your productivity.
Create your workspace, keep to office hours – and get dressed!
While it’s tempting to work all day in your PJs, try starting your day as you usually would when commuting to the office. It can make a positive difference in how you feel, ensure a productive mindset and help you keep a sense of routine, which is important for nurturing good mental health.
You could use your traditional commute time to do something different and get your mind and body ready for the working day; remember that just because you’re working at home, it is not necessary to work all hours. Create your ‘workspace’ at home and nurture it. Where possible, keep consistent with a healthy start and finish time for your working day, there will always be work to do and your laptop or desktop computer will still be there tomorrow.
Final thoughts
At Calmer, nurturing good mental health, resilience, and maintaining a productive and happy workforce are our areas of expertise. Calmer is a remote working team, and we work with carefully selected associates in the business development and well being space. We are proud to deliver remote online training and live large scale events. Our services are tailored to support the needs of our clients, paying particular care to staff well-being.
