Working remotely or using a hybrid working model has become a norm across the globe. There are industry giants, especially in the tech space, that are thriving using this model. Depending on the type of organization and industry that you are in, this can be easy to implement.
Creating a healthy remote environment is one thing, but it takes effort from the employee side as well to optimize their living spaces and change their habits to make this style of working effective and suitable for their productivity and personal health.
Read on to learn how to make your home working space a healthy environment that will help you thrive at your job.
How remote working aids businesses
Remote working has a lot of benefits for both businesses and employees. For an employer, you are looking at reduced employee turnover and reduced overhead costs. You also have access to a larger and more diverse talent pool. Staff is more productive as there is a crucial shift of focus from time spent in the office to the outcomes and results produced by individuals and teams. If you have a customer service segment of your business, then employees from different time zones make it easier to aid global customer satisfaction levels.
Founder and CEO of the remote-based link-building agency Amit Raj of The Links Guy said that digital marketing and, by extension, the SEO/link-building industries are very competitive.
“This encourages us to think out of the box and find talent that provides differing perspectives and insights. Widening our talent pool on a global scale has not only provided us with this unique opportunity to tap into various minds and try new approaches to how we operate,” he said.
Benefits of working from home
As an employee, there are several benefits for you as well. Remote working offers you a unique sense of flexibility, which allows you to focus on home aspects while still giving your 100% to work. You can create your work-life balance by curating your own environment to ensure optimal engagement and productivity.
The relationship between remote work and productivity
In order to unlock the perfect balance between work and life, you need to create habits that are healthy and conducive to both aspects of your life.
Designating your workspace
Working from your bed or couch isn’t ideal for long-term work. These are spaces that are synonymous with relaxation and comfort, and it can be your undoing to work from these areas of the home. Alternatively, create a space that will help you get into the motion of working. Ultimately, you want to create a space that gives off an energy of being “on the clock”.
• If you have a separate room to use, that is great. You ideally want to choose a space that is well lit and away from distractions.
• It should have all your needs easily accessible to reduce the instances of you walking in and out of your working space to fetch items.
• Eliminate noise by making sure that your working area has a door so that you don’t have distractions walking in while on a video conference.
TIP: When eliminating noise, you also need to consider the noise levels of an office environment and what you may be comfortable with. There are usually some levels of noise that naturally flow in an office space. White noise can jar, so you can put on some background music to help create the correct levels of noise that help you be most productive.
Setting designated working times
Depending on the time zones of the company you are working with, you may work odd hours, or if it is a local company with remote facilities, you need to curate a time to work around this. Designate time for your family and find the right rhythm for you.
To reduce burnout, you want to make sure that you stick to certain hours; it is difficult, but it needs to be created. This also needs to be encouraged from the employer’s side as well.
Getting ready for the day
To help get into the workday flow, wake up earlier, it can help you get into the mindset of going to work. Dress appropriately and in something that is not too comfortable, like pajamas.
TIP: To help draw distinctions between work time and home time, change out of the ‘work clothes’ at the end of your shift. It can signal to your mind that the workday is done.
Take breaks
Take your breaks to stay on top of productivity and your own health. It gives you time to mentally and physically recharge. Take a few moments to stand up and walk around. Take longer breaks to take your mind off work and to take your meals.
Schedules and coordinating with people at home
When you remove the commute from the equation, it can be tempting to sleep in, but the key to a productive day is to wake up with sufficient time before your shift starts.
Create boundaries about the times you are working and enforce this with your family. To ensure that your family or roommates respect this boundary, you can explain to them the reasons your working time requires focus, the importance of not unnecessarily disturbing, and the potential conference calls that you will be experiencing. Also, remind them of basic respect when you are working at home, such as not screaming and shouting or being rowdy while at home.
Schedules are important, and learning to work around your schedule is just as important to understand; home chores like cooking and clearing need to be navigated around the time you start, your breaks and after work.
TIP: For example, schedule time for meal prep earlier in the day. This way, you can maximize your time if you have an occasion that day. You can prepare something as extravagant as a lobster dinner by taking the lobster out to thaw in the morning, marinading it during your break and cooking it after your shift.
Eliminating distractions
Distractions come in multiple forms. This includes your mobile device, the people at home during the day, and even the temptation of watching television. Taking a peak at your social media notifications can lead to you doom scrolling on the platform, and the next thing you know, time has passed. Keep your mobile aside and check for important texts periodically. Other than that, save social media scrolling for after shifts and during breaks.
TIP: Unless social media is part of your core work responsibility, try to remove the platforms from your device to remove the temptation.
Checking in with staff and teams
When you work remotely, it can feel very isolating, that is why you should make it a practice to check in with your teams when logging in at the start of your shift. This signals that you are active and on the clock, but it also creates social contact with the rest of the team. You can also check in to provide work updates and engage in video calls and meetings that take place.
Ensuring you have the tools
Technology is the cornerstone of remote working, and in order for this type of role to be functional, you need to make sure that you have the right tools to aid you. This includes working high-speed internet, and functional device, and access to the required software. You also need to consider VPN, antivirus software, and access to secure cloud storage. Your device needs to have a working camera, headphones, and a microphone so that you can engage in virtual meetings.
All this will make sure that you can work with no troubles during the day. Something as simple as an unstable internet can cause a lot of frustration, and it can also result in you not being able to be sufficiently productive for the day.
Combatting a sedentary lifestyle
Because remote work will have you sitting at your desk for most of the day, it is terrible for mobility. It is even worse if you don’t have a designated workspace. You want to keep your efficiency and productivity optimal for the working day, so take frequent walks periodically.
It is also a good idea to invest in office furniture for your workspace. Not only is unsuitable furniture bad for the body, but you can end up being distracted when you are uncomfortable. This can also lead to body aches and pains.
Correcting your posture:
• Invest in ergonomic furniture like a sit-stand desk, which allows you to change your position and correct your posture while you work
• If you are on a mobile call, rather than sitting at your desk, try to take a walk or stand while conversing.
• Perform stretching exercises during the day to prevent stiffness.
• Move during the day, even while at the desk.
Healthy habits to practice
• Sitting at your desk for most of the day, especially at home, where snacks are readily available, can lead to unhealthy eating habits. To prevent this, create lunch boxes with nutritious snacks that you can munch on during the day without giving in to temptation. Drink plenty of water as well.
• Apart from healthy consumables, you need to have healthy habits in place to combat the sedentary lifestyle. Try to exercise to keep your body fit. Get enough sleep to rejuvenate your mind.
• Practice mindful techniques to help reduce stress. These healthy habits is not only good for your mind but also your body. You reduce the risk of burning out and other negative effects on your mental health.
Detrimental habits to kick:
• Your working time is flexible, and you have more “freedom,” but it comes with accountability. Avoid scrolling on social media and don’t use your work device to check social media.
• If you don’t have designated working hours, don’t start work too late, as it can mess with your daily flow.
• A lack of a schedule can cause you to focus too much on work or too much on life, resulting in having too much to do and no balance.
• Multitasking can reduce your productivity, especially when engaging in deep work. Focus on one task at a time. Try not to take too much on your plate.
Conclusion
Working remotely is a great option for many businesses. However, to ensure that your teams are working efficiently and productively, they need to foster habits that are healthy and aid with their work-life balance.
Simple steps like creating a designated workspace, following a schedule, and eliminating distractions are just a few ways that they can make an enormous difference in their remote working endeavor.