The home office is very different from the traditional office setting and with that comes challenges. nijobfinder is sharing some of the bad habits to avoid when working from home.
Bad habits to avoid when working from home
Working in an unproductive space
When working from home, you can easily be distracted and interrupted due to the activities of family life. Try to choose a workspace that has the least distractions. Make sure your space is a quiet area where you can concentrate. If you do not have a separate room in your home, find an area with minimum traffic flow.
Working too much
It can be hard to switch off after a day’s work and you may be tempted to work late into the night. It is important to give yourself breaks and switch off your laptop. To help you concentrate on work while at home, set up a routine. Get up at the same time you would if you were going to the office, get dressed, take breaks and shut down your laptop at the end of the working day. Avoid working earlier or later than you would if you were in the office.
Sitting down all day
Sitting for a long period of time can have a negative impact on your health. To reduce the risk of ill health from inactivity, the NHS advises individuals to exercise regularly and reduce sitting down time. The UK Chief Medical Officers’ Physical Activity Guidelines report recommends breaking up long periods of sitting time with activity for just one to two minutes.
Multitasking
Multitasking can be bad for your productivity and your overall well-being. Avoid switching between tasks and concentrate and focus on only one task at a time. Prioritise and work accordingly.
Forgetting about work
It can be easy to get distracted when working from home, whether that’s due to the chaos of family life or completing chores around the house. Just because you can work from home does not mean you can slack off. You need to motivate yourself to work without your manager around.
Not sleeping enough
Staying up late, going to bed at different times and not sleeping enough can have a detrimental impact on your health which is why maintaining a regular sleeping schedule is key. A good night’s sleep can improve your mood and your concentration during the working day.
More advice on working from home during the Coronavirus crisis can be found in nijobfinder’s advice area.
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