In 2019, only 4.7% of those in employment reported working mainly at home. This drastically changed during the pandemic, jumping to 43.1%. Now, fifty of the biggest UK employers have said that they have no plans to return all their staff to the office full-time any time soon.
Homeworking is something that’s been embraced by some workers and others, not so much. The benefits of flexibility are undeniable, however, working all day at home without any in-person contact can gradually become quite isolating.
A lot of us have become homeworking experts, but some of us find it increasingly challenging with feelings of demotivation, surrounded by distractions.
Wake up early
This is one of the biggest challenges when working from home. For most, having a work from home day represents a lie in. Don’t be tempted to overstay your welcome in your cozy bed and ruin your weekly routine. Removing the accountability of the office and not having to dress up for your place of work, it may feel like there is no reason to get up early and begin.
Training yourself to have a consistently healthy morning routine will impact your work productivity, performance and overall energy levels and happiness. It’ll trick your body into feeling like you have a more traditional job with routine and helps you become more proactive.
Get dressed
It’s so tempting to work from home in your PJs for maximum comfort. We’ve all been there. Even if you think this is harmless, it may impact your productivity.
Dr Karen Pine, professor of psychology and a fashion psychologist said, “When we put on an item of clothing it is common for the wearer to adopt the characteristics associated with that garment. A lot of clothing has symbolic meaning for us, whether it’s “professional work attire” or “relaxing weekend wear”, so when we put it on, we prime the brain to behave in ways consistent with that meaning.”
So, think twice before wrapping yourself up in your dressing gown. You’ll be subconsciously tricking yourself into thinking you’re in Sunday mode.
Let the light in
It’s been proven time and time again that sunlight makes us feel happier. It triggers your brain into releasing serotonin, boosting your mood, reducing anxiety levels, and is key to helping you feel calmer and more focused.
Scotland isn’t exactly bursting with an abundance of sunshine, but we can take advantage of it when it’s there.
When you’re setting up your home desk, try to position your desk so that you’re close to a window – or at least, facing one. If you can’t work in a room with substantial sunlight, consider different lighting to install or position mirrors to maximise the lights in your working room.
Declutter your workspace
Not only will this improve your work productivity, but a clean space is also beneficial to your mental health. There has been a wealth of research conducted that explains that clutter causes our bodies to release cortisol, the stress hormone. It’s usually associated with the flight-or-flight response.
Think about what you need nearby to do your job – like pens, notepads and post-its and clear everything else away from where you’re working. Desk storage can be helpful to organise the things you do need so that they’re handy but not getting in your way.
Decluttering not only refers to the tidiness of your desk or office, but also digital mess. Put some time aside in your week to tidy up your desktop, folders, and emails. We guarantee it’ll make you feel a lot better.
Invest in some greenery
We often associate nature with relaxation so adding a plant or some flowers to your workspace can have a significant impact on your mood.
Studies have shown that contact with the natural world can reduce blood pressure, anxiety and stress while improving your attention, memory, and sleep patterns. If you do decide to invest in a pot plant or two, just remember to water it – you don’t want to have to live with the guilt of letting it wither away!
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