How to stay happy when you’re working from home

Are you lucky enough to work from home? Here’s five ways to help you stay sane, productive and positive while you’re at it. 

If you’re lucky enough to have worked from home, you might’ve had one of those days where nothing really gets done. You might sleep in a little longer, catch up on some jobs around the house, or watch a midday movie.

Of course, you'll do work, but more often than not, a day from home is sometimes used to refresh your batteries before heading back to the office for 'real' work. But now in these exceptional times, the home office is the new normal and things still need to get done.

'Great!', you say. No more commutes and more time at home with the family in the comfort of your own home. Except the reality is that many people will be in their home office for the first time, and it's not always the easiest place to remain productive and sane at the same time.

Here are a few quick tips on staying productive from your kitchen table, surrounded by bored children (because yes, it can be challenging).

Work hard but not too long

If those requests from the boss are creeping in earlier and earlier, or you find yourself messaging colleagues late into the night – you might be an enabler. Stop, put the phone down, step away from the laptop, and take some time to savour actually being at home for once.  

If you have the kids at home and working 9-5 is proving impossible (we get it), talk to your manager about ways to make things work. Split shifts, early starts, late finishes, spreading your hours across different days - whatever it takes. 

Repeat after me: 'I am NOT under house arrest'

Yes, you are working from home, and yes, you need to be productive.  But you have to take breaks, see the sky, get some fresh air, smell the roses (while observing social distancing and local government guidelines).

You'd have a lunch break or go for a coffee in the office, so same applies at home. Get up, stretch, have a chat, play with the kids, go outside, look at the world... Just don't touch anything.

Try talking before emailing

Before you hit send on your next e-masterpiece, ask yourself - Is this super important? Am I being clear and concise? Do I need to copy all these people? Or, am I just trying to look busy? 

If you need to have an in-depth conversation with someone, maybe this is a good time to pick up the phone to get that answer - they'd probably be happy to hear from you, and it's always nice to hear the sound of someone else's voice.

Release your inner gymnast (kind of)

Not literally of course, but we all need to find the right balance and stay flexible with our workload. There are a million and one apps, tools and websites we can use to stay in touch with each other, and they can get confusing when they all add up.

Get a clear indication from your employer what to use for work, and streamline everything else so you don't get overloaded.

Keep it short. Keep it sharp. And keep yourself sane!

Don't let '#alonetogether' just feel like '#alone'

One of technology's greatest strengths is connecting people - so stay connected.

Make a video call to see a smiling face, and don't worry if there are kids or pets or washing in the background - we're in a brave new world and real-life is welcome. 

It's a strange and scary time, and we're all at the frontier of a bold new way of life, let alone work. Productivity and connection are important, but balance and mental wellbeing are vital.

Take care of yourselves and each other.

Check out more articles on Hype, and stay tuned for your daily dose of optimistic energy.