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The current global battle against coronavirus has forced millions of people across the globe to self-quarantine in their homes. Many companies are adjusting to the situation by switching to remote work in order to minimize health risks. Unfortunately, many people have actually lost their jobs and are forced to look for new ones online. While for some of us remote work sounds like a dream come true, for others the downsides outweigh the perks. 

If you are lucky enough to be able to work from home but you’re not used to it, here are some tips on how to stay motivated:.

1. Set up a home office 

When you’re stuck at home, there aren’t many ways to change the scenery between work and leisure time. What you can do to create a work atmosphere in your home is have a designated workspace. Start by finding a place with plenty of natural light. Ideally, it should be a separate room where no one else is allowed during work hours. Your home office should look as similar as possible to an actual office. You need a comfortable chair, a desk, and a good lamp to create the ultimate work from home environment. 

All distractions, such as magazines and TVs, should be out of sight. Moreover, make sure your office supplies are organized and your desk is tidy. Clutter creates disorder and disorder affects your productivity in a negative way. 

2. You still need a morning routine

There is something about putting on a suit, making your way through the heavy traffic, and talking to your co-workers in the elevator. Remote work is a weird thing. It creates an illusion that you’re not really working. Your morning routine is very different these days. You just wake up and turn on your computer, skipping all the steps in between. It seems amazing, but be careful – it’s a trap! Remote workers tend to relax more than they should. 

Depending on what you do, your schedule can be more or less strict. Staying up late, waking up late, and not being active from the start can be detrimental to your productivity and self-motivation. If your boss still makes you get up early and gives you short deadlines, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. The fact that you’re already in your office makes it easier to oversleep.

No one says you can’t wear casual clothes and sleep a little longer (since you aren’t going anywhere) but don’t stay in your PJs and skip your morning shower. Set an alarm, get up, take a shower, get dressed, and have breakfast. Maintaining a morning routine will make you feel more grounded. 

“When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive – to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.” – Marcus Aurelius

3. Take regular breaks

Try to plan your day realistically. You need to work but you also need time to recharge. There are two types of remote workers – those who forget to take breaks and those who take too many breaks. No supervision and too many distractions are some of the biggest challenges of remote work, which is why you need to be very disciplined while working from home. 

Use your alarm clock to remind you when to take regular breaks and when to go back to work. The lunch break is your vital mid-day break that should be part of your everyday routine. For some additional routine, plan a lunch menu for the whole week and cook in the evenings. 

4. No reason for social distancing in the virtual world

Even if you’re an introvert, working from home because of quarantine may trigger stress and anxiety due to a lack of social interaction. A sudden switch from spending most of your time in close proximity to your colleagues to being all by yourself can be overwhelming. That’s why it is particularly important to stay connected. 

Staying in touch with your colleagues, friends, and family can do wonders for your mental wellbeing and productivity in times of trouble and uncertainty. Fortunately, modern technology makes it easy to stay in touch in real time. With so many instant communication channels to choose from, you don’t have to feel so lonely at home. 

“Loneliness is not lack of company, loneliness is lack of purpose.” – Guillermo Maldonado

5. Take care of your mental and physical health

When working from home, achieving a good work-life balance is not easy, as the line between work mode and non-work mode often gets blurred. Work can be therapeutic during this period. What else would you be doing? Your favorite books and TV shows can be a great pastime in quarantine but only if consumed in moderation. 

After a few days with nothing to do, many people get bored and lethargic even under normal circumstances. When you add complete isolation with nothing but bad news coming from the media, work can be a helpful distraction.

Once you’re done working, it is very important to leave your designated workspace to mentally disconnect from work. Do some activities together with your family. You can play board games, watch movies or cook together. Take this opportunity to clean your home and organize your closets. Don’t forget to exercise.

Working from home is likely to take a toll on your body unless you make an effort to stay in shape. Physical activity invigorates not only your body but also your mind. Additionally, take some alone time for meditation and limit your news intake. Although staying informed can save your life in these trying times, this type of information should be taken in moderation and only from trusted sources. 

Share some tips with us about how you stay productive assuming you work from home! We want to hear from you!