Habits That Make Working From Home Work For You

First things first. Working from home, sounds great. And it definitely can be, if you’re the rise and shine, up at the crack of dawn, uber organized self-starting type of individual. Unfortunately, a lot of people are more enthused about the idea of working from home, than actually working from home. Since it’s the beginning of a brand new week, I thought it apropos to share some of the habits I employ now that I’m working from home to maximize the opportunity.

Many of us have already been at it working from home for a couple of weeks now and can attest to the fact that it does take some adjusting. I would imagine it an even bigger adjustment having children or roommates in the house as well. I still think, the most positive aspect of all of this is re-evaluating how we take control of the situation. And trust me without healthy habits and self-made guidelines for the work week, you can definitely lose control and lose your mind.

Establishing A Workspace

If you haven’t already done this, then I would suggest finding an area where you can designate your home office. This is probably the most helpful when trying to create a healthy work life balance. Yes your office is now your home, but try to separate the two so mentally you can clock yourself in and out of work when appropriate. Also try to make it a space you’re happy about. I had been eyeing this desk from Wayfair for a while and I’m not saying you have to go out and order a new desk, but it does make the home office that much sweeter.

Establish A Schedule

Maintaining a schedule is integral to making sure you have a healthy work-life balance. Figure out your time-table for your morning schedule is so that you know that you can totally commit to being at work when you’re suppose to be. I would imagine that most of us have more time to sleep in or get ourselves sorted in the morning now that the morning rush and bumper to bumper traffic has been eliminated from the equation. I not only have an extra hour in the morning, but I still make use of it by waking up on time so that I can make myself some breakfast and maintain my morning ritual of sipping my coffee applying my makeup and watching some YouTube.

Best Foot Forward Even When No One’s Looking

This leads me to my next tip. Try to maintain how you maintain yourself even if you don’t expect to be seen. I probably don’t have to tell you this, but staying in pajamas all day makes me want to Netflix and Chill. Uh, uh we have a schedule to keep! The way you present yourself isn’t necessarily for everyone else and honestly it never really should be anyway. It should make that switch in your brain go off that tells you it’s time to get to business. You will have time later in the day for non-work related stuff so make sure you’re ready to go to work at home. Dress the part!

Take Computer Caution

Most people don’t realize that sitting in front of your computer screen for hours on end is harmful. It’s as harmful to your skin as being out in the sun all day! You have probably heard of blue light before. Skin cell damage is more likely from the harmful effects of blue light. That’s because free radicals that are produced by blue light from our computer screens. So take caution and wear that SPF even indoors! Luckily a lot of skin care companies are now working to counteract blue light from our tech devices. Dermalogica PowerBright TRX Pure Light – SPF 50 maked a fantastic day cream. Derma E make a Blue Light Shield Concentrated Serum that can be applied before your moisturizer. And another option for over your skin care or makeup is One Ocean Beauty Blue Light Protection + Hydration Mist.

Trade Fast Food For Healthy Meal Prep

I know that the one benefit to working from home, for me is a healthier diet. I don’t have the most unhealthy diet, but eating out usually lead me on a downward spiral. I am a lover of healthy, but more importantly easy meal prep ideas. I like to operate as if I don’t always have a lot of time even as I work from home, so that I can make sure the lunch I’m going to cook throughout the week are easy, healthy meals. The lack of snacks and candy in the household also makes it easy for me to stay on my healthy eating game.

Sign Out, Log Out, Clock Out!

Lastly, one of the most important tips to end this post is to clock out and stay out! When you’ve established exactly when it’s time to clock out from your 9-5 make sure you stay out! Your work-life balance is dependent on this. You’ve eliminated the drive from the office to your home so make use of that time be it taking an afternoon nap, working out, relaxing. You’ve clocked out of work and now it’s time to take the time for your personal home life. If you want some ideas on things to do at home when you’re not clocked in, check out my post An Introvert Shares: Survive Quarantine Like A Pro.