WORKING FROM HOME:

Working from home is something many of us are trying to get used to at the moment and for many it can be a daunting.  There can be many distractions, children to look after, extra meals to prepare. pets to walk and very little quiet time.  For a lot of us normal working ours won’t be possible anymore.

1. Have a routine - for the whole family

We all like a routine, it helps keep life normal and your life in order.   Make sure everyone is up and has breakfast together.  Give your children something to do for a few hours so you can give work the your full attention, it could be school work, reading, drawing or chores.  Decide on a time that you are going to stop working and stick to it.  Switch off your work phone and lap top and have a family dinner, skype friends or watch a movie.  Overworking is as much of a problem as not doing enough.

2. Designate a space for your work 

Having a specified workspace can help you concentrate, boost productivity and make work seem a bit more normal. We recommend having a comfortable chair that will support your back and a proper desk to keep all your work in one area.  You can ask your family to keep their questions and requests to a minimum when you are in this space, they wouldn’t call you every two minutes if you weren’t in the same building so keep these rules the same.

3. Stay connected 

Zoom, FaceTime, call, email and group chat.  There’s so many ways to keep in touch with your friends and family and it's so important to do this.  We are all used to communicating every day that we don’t even think about it -  you don’t realise how much you miss this until it’s not there.  Teach your parents how to FaceTime, have group chats with your friends or pick up the phone to someone you haven’t spoken to in ages.  We guarantee it will make you smile.  

4. Write things down

Go old school - get a notebook and pen, a to do list pad or a diary.  That way, if you do get distracted you won’t forget what you have to do and there's a real sense of satisfaction as you tick those items off when you complete them.

5. Be positive 

A healthy mind can help keep you stay healthy.  It’s a fact.  You are less likely to catch bugs and illnesses if you are in a good place mentally.  We all have something we say we would do if we had some time - so do it.  Eat well, try to have take part in some for of exercise and check on others.  Positivity also rubs off on those around you helping everyone through this.

Most importantly, stay safe, keep well and look after those around you.

Take care