As a result of the widespread COVID-19 virus, professionals all over the world have been forced to abandon the office and settle into working from home. We bid farewell to traffic jams and pre-packed lunches as we welcome morning scrums from bed and handfuls of pantry pickings into our lives. While at this point, many of us have adjusted to this “new normal”, working from home brings forth several benefits that can be attained if we were to aim beyond simple acclimation. Whether you’re a student, young professional or workplace veteran, keep reading to discover how you can make the most of your work from home experience!
Source: COVID-19 Work-from-Home Plans May Be Permanent (stock.adobe.com, 2020)
1. Take advantage of your mornings
Without the need to commute to work, we are finding ourselves with more free time in the mornings before the start of day. While rolling out bed moments before your morning meetings might be temping, you may find yourself happier if you took advantage of this time to do the things you’ve always wanted but for which you could never find the time. For instance, maybe you have always wanted to take up yoga, yet couldn’t spare a moment out of your busy day for a session. Now, you can start your mornings with a yoga practice and set a positive tone for the day ahead while simultaneously trying something new. Seeing as physical activity is known to boost endorphin levels and generating feelings of happiness and bliss, exercise can be a great way to start your day on a high note.
2. Make your workspace your own
How many you dread saying goodbye to the fresh outdoor air as you enter the office doors and are greeted by monotonous and mundane décor? For those who can relate to this feeling, you’re in luck! Working from home has provided us with the rare chance to design our workspaces however we please. Try decorating your home office with items you love such as edgy light-fixtures, framed photos of fond memories, or your favourite indoor plants. In fact, it has been shown by Dr. Chris Knight of Exeter University that employees perform better and are more productive when plants are present in their workspaces. Beyond the increase in productivity, plants have been proven to reduce stress and boost your mood, leaving you with a smile on your face despite your co-worker rambling on about their cat for the tenth time that day. 3. Eat balanced and nutritious meals
It’s no secret that a large majority of us would choose Thai Express or pizza takeout for a quick work lunch over a pre-packed paper bag meal. Alternatively, you’re the one in the office who consumes nothing but shots of espresso and complimentary granola bars through-out the day. Regardless of where you fall on the spectrum, thankfully neither of them remains a reality. With no longer needing to endure morning and evening commutes, we can now take the time to enjoy all those recipes we have bookmarked on our phones yet never actually make. Even if it takes long to cook your desired meal, you can simply prepare it the night before and pop it into the oven an hour or so before your lunch! Now we can all be sure to include in our meals those significant vitamins, minerals and nutrients necessary to keep the body and mind strong and healthy.
4. Learn something new
How many times in your life have you wanted to take up a new hobby but have made excuses that have withheld you from doing so? “I’ll start when this project is done”, “I can’t find the time”, “I started but stopped after two days”. With more time at our fingertips than ever before, now’s the opportunity you’ve been waiting for! Have you always wanted to learn how to cook a five-course Italian meal? Do some research and I guarantee you can find a virtual course providing you with the tools to do so. Maybe you’re a finance student who is passionate about fashion – take advantage of your new-found free time to take an online course in design. Research shows that learning new things and using your brain in unfamiliar ways will improve your memory, critical thinking skills and make you less likely to develop diseases such as dementia. Take advantage of your work from home experience to begin reaping the benefits of cognitive engagement.
Overall, the transition to working from home has been long, difficult and exhausting for the large majority of us. However, that doesn’t mean that we need to shut down and admit defeat! Generations of workers have longed for the chance to have more free time at home and now, that chance is here. Rather than focusing on the negatives, I encourage you to look at this experience from a positive perspective and try to realize as many benefits as you can!
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