16 Sep WFH Tips & Tricks

It’s 6 months already?

Yup.  It’s hard to believe that we’ve been working from home for 6 months already with no real end point in sight.  Some companies are setting the return-to-office goal post for the end of the year, while other have moved theirs to next spring and for some, now it’s June, July or even August of 2021.

Some of you will continue to WFH ad infinitum, while others will be doing the hybrid version – alternating between working from home and working from the office.

Can I get a refresher on some WFH tips?

Absolutely!  Let’s start with the basics of the basics.

Claim Your Space! 

This is critical for long term success.  Find a place that you can go to for dedicated work time.  Ideally that would be a desk or flat worksurface that you have claimed as your own where you can focus and be productive.  You will want to make it as cozy and inviting as possible.

Support Yourself

This includes using pillows or lumbar supports for your back, a book, ream of paper or footrest for your feet (if they dangle) and monitor or laptop risers for your screens.  Staying upright and balanced is key to feeling great and keeping your energy up throughout the day.

Switch It Up

Whether or not you opt for a sit/stand desk to work at, make sure that you alternate positions throughout the day. If you have a sit/stand desk, then get in the habit of switching between sitting and standing on the hour.  If you sit while working, make sure to get up every hour.  Take that phone call standing.  Recline when you are reading something or watching a video.  Get creative.

Be Kind To Your Eyes

Make sure there is ample lighting in your work space.  If you have windows in the room that you work in, your eyes will feel best if you place your screen perpendicular to the window.  Also, remember to take eye breaks.  Every 20 minutes or so, look away from your screen and focus on something at least 20 feet away (look out the window, across the room, you get the idea) and hold that gaze for at least 20 seconds.   Last but not least, consider blue light glasses or screen filters to spare your eyes from the blue light emitted by your screens, especially at night.

Make Time For You

The COVID version of WFH is particulary fraught with challenges.  Longer work hours (you would think the opposite would be true), more screen time than ever before, competing demands (parenting, negotiating with other household members, back to back meetings, etc.)  Now, more than ever, it’s important to set very clear work boundaries (and stick to them), make time for your hobbies and interests and carve out some quiet time without work, screens, obligations or stress.  Even 10 minutes will do.

We’d love to hear how you are doing and tips and tricks that are getting you through these challenging times.  Leave a comment and let us know!