For someone like me, this is THE perfect working life. Avoiding long commutes for work and office politics and having my cat as my only co-worker is a pretty cool scenario. But it’s not all peaches and cream.

Teleworking has its major challenges. Feelings of isolation, lack of motivation, and disorganized working hours can quickly become overwhelming. Some days I say my first words of the day when my partner comes home from work at night.

It’s essential to be prepared to use your time to stay focused and productive and accumulate more customers and billable hours!

I have been working remotely and from home for seven years now. During these years, I have learned and tried various methods and routines.

Here are my best productivity tips for working at home or remotely. And some mental health tips for working at home for new teleworkers.

 

1. Have a dedicated workspace

A dedicated workplace is essential whether you have a home office or a corner in your living room. It’s easy to park on your couch every morning with a laptop and your cat. I’ve been there! The temptation is real.

But can you work on the couch?

For a start, the sofa is not healthy for your posture and ergonomics. And it’s often near a television, which is a potential distraction. And my couch is a cat magnet that keeps coming to me for hugs and attention.

That’s why an engaged workspace is essential for distance working. Just as your bedroom is meant for sleeping, your workspace should be reserved for work. Ever since I left my student dorm and started working full-time as a freelancer, I have only ever worked in a dedicated home office.

Nevertheless, it doesn’t hurt to change it from time to time. I change the scenery by having lunch in the dining room or working on the couch on Friday afternoons.

If the weather is nice, I also work from the balcony! These little touches can take the boredom out of your life and help you stay productive while working at home.

 

2. Dress for success

As tempting as it may sound, resist the urge to stay in your pyjamas all day.

It’s true, people – the clothes we wear impact our performance and productivity at work.

While you don’t have to dress in a three-piece suit or a pencil skirt and heels when working at home, there’s always a way to dress for work.

Ladies and gentlemen, come on in – the home office wardrobe.

Just wear what is practical and comfortable for you. But having a daily routine – brushing your teeth, doing your hair, and getting out of your pajamas – is essential, even if you’re switching to yoga pants.

The clothes I wear to the office at home are comfortable jeggings and flowing tops. During the winter I wear cardigans and boleros. In the summer, I like to wear dresses and shorts. The trick is to look presentable – imagine going shopping on a Saturday afternoon, just wearing high heels. Or a bra!

According to research from Northwestern University, certain types of clothing can affect our psychological procedures and productivity. Clothes have symbolic meaning for us, and our brains link the kind of clothing to keep it compatible with the meaning it retains – whether it’s “corporate work clothes” or “comfortable loungewear”.

 

 

3. Setting boundaries with friends and family

It is often believed that telework is not real work.

Your family and friends might assume that working at home means a lot of free time. Parents may call during morning rush hour, your friends may send an invitation for a long lunch, or your partner may ask you to join them for a walk.

The problem is that many people still consider telework as “not real” work. But it can help to set some boundaries.

You can always tell your family and friends about your working hours to help them understand that you are not always available. You have full control over your time by telling them when you are available rather than waiting for people to tell you when to meet or call you.

Working from home is not a valuable asset, so don’t apologize for it. You are available when you are available, whether in the office or not. Remember that you must guide people on how to treat you and how much time you have to work.

4. But don’t be afraid of human contact

Now that we’ve eliminated your work schedule make time for your social schedule.

Working at home for a long period can leave someone lonely. If you’re like me, you’re probably better equipped to work alone without the company of your co-workers.

Meeting a friend for lunch, walking your dog (or cat!), chatting with mum on Skype. Sometimes I take the time to chat with my cat.

Meeting at least one to three people daily can help you feel connected in an otherwise isolated environment.

If you miss the hustle and bustle of office life, rent a co-working space in your neighborhood. Most major cities these days have modern co-working spaces. You can rent an office for a very modest price. Some of them even organize networking events and game nights for their members.

In coworking spaces, independent entrepreneurs, scrappy entrepreneurs, and home-based business owners can enjoy a healthy shared workspace (and sense of community) that is difficult to replicate at home.

Working in cafés is an excellent alternative to co-working. Studies even show that it is easier to concentrate in a café than in an open-plan office.

I live in a small town with very few cafés, so I just put on podcasts or audiobooks to imitate the background noise. The key is to find something interesting but also something less interesting that will distract you entirely from your work.

I like anything sci-fi, so I put reviews on YouTube or audiobooks of my favorite movies. That way, I don’t have to be very careful, and at the same time, I have a bit of background noise.

5. Get face-to-face time with your clients and colleagues

Even if you work alone at home, you must make time for your clients and your team and interact with them as much as possible. Without frequent communication, it’s easy for others to assume that you’re not doing much. Regular contact adds transparency and a human bond to your working life from a distance.

Team-building is very important when you work at a distance. Being as communicative with your team members as you would be if you were physically working in an office with them is essential.

I plan a fixed day each week with my clients and my remote team. This helps me regularly exchange information about what I am working on and what has been accomplished. Video calls also help build relationships and connections with your clients and the remote team.

 

6. Maintain a basic level of pressure

Apart from regular calls, I work better when I have deadlines. The more time I have for a project, the slower I work and the less work I do. That’s when the deadlines you set yourself become useful.

Give yourself tight but realistic deadlines to complete specific projects or tasks. This will help you delay procrastination (hehe).

No, deadlines can help you maintain a certain level of urgency, give you laser focus, and help eliminate distractions. But don’t overdo it, and don’t give your clients unrealistic expectations.

 

Some mental health tips

Take a nap

It’s an old classic to beat a diet crash after lunch.

So don’t reach out for that coffee if you’re sleepy. Nothing is as rechargeable as a good old-fashioned nap.

Make power naps a regular work routine and boost your energy level. Next time you need to take a break, set an alarm clock for a short nap to combat fatigue and keep things under control while working at home.

 

Teach your pet a trick

Great new guys, science agrees too!

Several studies have confirmed that people who spend time with animals get real mental and physical pros. Lower blood pressure, a sense of belonging, fewer colds and flus, less stress, and a better mood are proven “side effects” of being around animals.

Now that you’re home for longer periods, it might be a good time to pick out your lawnmower and some treats.

So the next time you feel depressed about working at home, call your pet and take him for a walk or a training session. It’s amazing the difference that spending time with a pet can make to your mood.

 

Take a language class.

Learning a second language offers several undeniable cognitive pros.

If you get bored working at home and need a change of pace, download a simple language learning application such as DuoLingo or Babble and start learning a language of your choice.

starting a training session

An ass on the chair for 8 to 10 hours daily is unhealthy. It will give you many long-term health problems like a sore neck, shoulders, a stiff back, or headaches. In the worst case, you could end up with carpal tunnel syndrome or a heart problem.

On top of that, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is serious. Working at home for long periods can be very difficult for teleworkers.

Sunshine and fresh air cannot bring down even the most positive people. This can eventually lead to productivity problems and a lack of motivation.

If you have been indoors for too long, go outside to get some fresh air and sunshine. You probably must get out of the house every day if you have a dog.

But if you have a cat, you can train it on a leash to go for a walk.

If the weather is too bad to go outside, regular exercise indoors will also help. You don’t need an expensive gym membership. A simple workout at home is also an excellent way to get back in shape. All you need is a yoga mat and sportswear.

 

Preparing a meal

Cooking can be a stress-reducing activity for many. There is great joy in creating something with your hands.

This cool article on HuffPost explains it well.

Whether you like cake or curry, get out of your workspace and take a break to prepare a healthy meal. You’ll need to eat sooner or later anyway. So you might as well use your break time to make something tasty.

 

Take a hot shower

Did you skip a shower this morning? Now might be an excellent time to jump in the shower.

A good old-fashioned hot shower can relax and calm you down.

It also reduces any tension in your muscles. The result is that your whole body feels calm and fresh. Hot water also improves oxytocin levels, improving mood and reducing stress levels.

The benefits are everywhere. The heat unlocks and relaxes your muscles, cleanses your skin, and strengthens your immune system!

After a long working day, a hot shower can help you eliminate stress. So an after-work shower is also a good idea to cheer you up after a day of work at home.

 

 

 

Conclusion

When I tell someone, I have been working at home for seven years. They are either surprised or jealous. As great as it can be, teleworking or working from home has its challenges.

Are you one of those new teleworkers adapting to their new home-based work?

A good routine and work structure can help you regain your family mojo.