Let’s be real. When working from home, we often find ourselves wondering if we are working enough. Unlike the office setup, we cannot see our teammates face-to-face, so we assume that they are just like us, all glued to our monitors, assuming that everyone is busy on their own, working and being productive all the time. It’s easier to feel guilty, so you just push yourself, take advantage of the moment when you’re in the zone, and try to finish everything all at once before you become distracted. Next thing you know, you’re working all day, tired and stressed because you missed the chance to take breaks and stick to a schedule. 

This is where working from home becomes exhausting, and makes you think if this is the right work setup for you. But working from home doesn’t need to be hard, only if you know how to discipline yourself, work around with a routine, and look out for yourself in betweens.

How can we, as remote workers who tend to overwork, take care of ourselves to fully enjoy the benefits of working from home? Read through these tips that you can apply to your everyday work day!

Find the time where you feel most productive. 

When working from home, it’s essential to have a focus mode. You can be easily distracted by checking your incoming emails or replying to messages, but it’s important also to remember that you can set those things aside for a bit, focus on one task at a time, and come back to them when you’re done. 

Take note of the time when you’re the most productive and least productive. Find out the schedule that works best for you and use this time to be in your focus mode. If you are most productive in the morning, then maximize that time and put in your energy to finish the bigger tasks, then do the small tasks that don’t need a lot of thinking during the second half of the day. 

What’s nice about working from home is that you have the flexibility to schedule your 9-5. Use this to find the rhythm that boosts your productivity. When you know your rhythm and know the peak hours that you set for yourself, it will be easier for you to get more things done and have more time for other things. At the end of the day, you will feel satisfied and fulfilled knowing that you put all your energy into the most important tasks and finished it all within the day.

Dress appropriately.

One of the perks of working from home is that you can dress in your most comfortable clothes. But there comes a point where being comfortable can lead you to laziness. Make it a habit to dress appropriately for work. It doesn’t have to be grand, but making an effort to look presentable is the way to go. You’re not just dressing for the job, you’re also doing yourself a favor to look good and feel good even if you’re home. 

Putting in the effort to look good is also a sign of respect to yourself. It makes you feel more confident about yourself and makes you look more professional. So whenever there’s an unexpected meeting, you’re ready to face them head on. 

Switching to your work attire can help you draw a clear line between work and leisure. By changing into your work clothes, you give yourself the signal that it’s time to get started with your workday. And when you’re ready to unwind and call it a day, it’s as simple as slipping into your pajamas. This can help you establish a healthy work-life balance and ensure that you’re able to fully disconnect from work when you need to.

Take breaks.

How many times should we remind ourselves that we deserve that break? Stand up, get away from our laptops for a while, and just pause. This is one of the most important things while you work from home. Sometimes remote people like us tend to overwork ourselves. Taking breaks will help our mind reset and refocus, and it makes us more productive again. So don’t be guilty if you’re taking a break. Just let your colleagues know that you will be gone for a while. And while you’re on a break, do something that will make you feel good. Like drinking water, getting your favorite snack, or just doing some light exercise. Just relax and come back when you’re feeling recharged and ready.

Conclusion

Taking care of yourself is the ultimate way to survive the Work from Home setup. Find the clear line between work and personal life, find the schedule and work on a routine that boosts your productivity, and make an effort to look presentable while being comfortable at the same time. And most importantly, don’t forget to give time for yourself to recharge and recover by taking a break.

Did you know that Filta is still on Work from Home setup? If you’re interested to be part of our Filta Community, check out our open roles at www.filtaglobal.com/careers