Finally! Commute is no more, you work in pajamas and you can visit the fridge during a meeting.
But when the excitement of “working remotely” is over, it could be overwhelming to realize you’re responsible to make this working from home thing, work.
This situation presents unique challenges, especially for the first timers who don’t actually know if and when it will end. Physical therapist Mary Morrison, PT, DScPT is helping us with the following tips:

‏1-Implement a routine.

Don’t wake up to check your emails directly, instead make a routine for yourself. Take a quick shower, eat your breakfast, then start. Set alarms for your work time, your meals and everything, treating your day as if you’re in the workplace.

2-Set a dedicated workspace.

Working from any place like home is tempting to try different places and corners like a bed or a couch, however it’s very important to establish some boundaries for yourself. For some of this means avoiding TV or kids and pets. Any way to fight the distractions you can get off, and if you are easily distracted firmer boundaries will be even more helpful. Prepare a work space for yourself like a desk and a chair in a corner that you will be spending your workday in. Position that desk and the chair so your back and chin are straight and you’re sitting in a comfortable yet healthy way. You can also try standing every once in a while.

3-Set goals.

Plan out daily (and maybe weekly) goals in a to-do list fashion for all the details of your work. It feels better when you have a plan and you are well prepared.

4-Get up, get a break.

You can easily get into it enough that you work constantly without taking a break. We can’t stress how important it is to get regular breaks throughout your workday. Mary suggests an hourly alarm to remind yourself to walk, move or stretch. Stretching your lower back and upper back is very important. Try some movements from online yoga classes, like warrior one or other hip flexor stretches. Also a reminder try as much as you can not to eat while working.

5-Check-in often.

Don’t get isolated. We know how important it is for your mental health to connect with people virtually, through video conferences, phone calls and chats. Or the more important human to human contact. Be careful not to get too distracted connecting to people. Just make it a habit to check in often.

6-Time to log off.

Was it time to leave office by now? then it’s time to log off and stop working. It is one of the important boundaries to establish your regular work time and when you want to stop. We know it’s hard but you can be working 24/7 if you don’t establish those rules for yourself. Remember work-life balance is your responsibility now more than ever.