Working from home may not have been in your plan, but COVID-19 is forcing millions of people around the world to adjust how and where they work. At the height of lockdown, 75% of the UK’s population shifted to working from home.
And as lockdown lifts in various ways around the world, millions are still working from home. In the UK, many employers are not yet comfortable or ready to bring people back to the office. Other major companies have altered their operations to include a distributed working pattern. This allows a mix of remote working and in-person shifts.
What are the benefits of working from home?
While we all hope that another period of total lockdown doesn’t happen, the virus is still very much here. It remains a possibility. Either way, many more people than ever before now find themselves working from home for the time being.
There are upsides and downsides to working from home. The pandemic gave many of us chance to find out what they are in what has become the biggest experiment in remote working ever. Stats show that 86% of people feel more productive when working from home. And while that’s a clear benefit for the employer, perhaps less so for the individual. The more productive you are, the more exhausted you are. And, of course, your day doesn’t stop just when you finish work.
The downsides of working from home
People with children and family members to care for have found lockdown particularly difficult. Maintaining a full-time job working at home, as well as home schooling and dealing with the pandemic, has taken its toll on many. All of which is why it’s essential to get some coping mechanisms in place.
There are lots of ways to mitigate the stressors that come along with working from home. You should look for healthy, time-saving ways to boost your brain and body throughout the day. Ideas range from starting the day with mindful meditation to sourcing some helpful supplements to boost your energy levels. What works for one person won’t necessarily work for all, so it’s about mixing and matching the following to find what works for you. Whatever you decide to incorporate into your working day, be sure to include ways to help you work efficiently (work smarter, not harder!), sleep properly and exercise.
7 ways to boost your productivity and focus while working from home
- Clear a space for your home office
Setting up a separate area just for your home office is a great way to improve your focus. It tricks your brain into feeling ‘ready for work’. Even the smallest house or apartment can squeeze in a specific corner to use as your office. Be sure to stay away from it when you’re not working.
- Shift around if you can
This depends on the size of your living space, but if you can set up a number of workspaces in different rooms, this is great for your focus. It can also help your posture because you’re not always in the exact same position to work. Wherever your workspace is it should be properly ergonomic, which removes the risk of getting a bad back or injuries such as RSI.
- Take an elderberry supplement to stimulate your immune system
Maintain social distancing and wear masks in public places – these are recommended by the Government and health professionals to minimise your chances of catching COVID-19. But it’s also important to ward off colds and flu, and generally keep your immune system stimulated.
Elderberry supplements work well for this. A traditional remedy for colds, a 2019 study shows that elderberry substantially reduces upper respiratory symptoms from colds and flu. Alternative practitioners also say that elderberry is an effective antioxidant and can help to minimise the risk of heart disease and cancer.
- Maintain your pre-lockdown morning routine
Staying in the same routine while working from home will help your brain to switch from ‘work’ to ‘home’ mode. If you normally go to the gym but they’re still not open, swap it for an at-home workout. Wear work clothes and if it helps you feel focused, use make up and styling techniques.
- Set a plan and stick to it
Have a schedule, just as you would in the office. Planning this out at the start of the week will help to give form to your workdays and ensure you’re productive.
- Take a natural nootropic supplement to boost your concentration
Nootropic supplements are also known as cognitive enhancers. The term used to be used only for very specific chemicals, however today it refers to any synthetic or natural substance that can positively impact mental skills. There are three categories of nootropics: synthetic compounds, prescription drugs and dietary supplements. An example of a natural dietary supplement is Hunter Focus, which consists of natural ingredients that can improve cognitive function. It’s also stimulant-free, which we’d always recommend to give you a safe boost while working from home.
- Plan your nutrition
What we eat affects us in so many ways that it’s always a sensible idea to plan out nutritional meals at the start of a busy working week. This will prevent you from grabbing whatever is available when you have time. Avoid eating where you work and select foods that can boost alertness, concentration and memory. Cut right down on any refined carbs, sugary drinks and processed foods and you should feel mentally clearer.
