If you worked in a traditional office before 2020, returning to work after a break was an unavoidable switch back to an early alarm, commute and office routine. If you work from home — especially if you formerly worked in an office, say, pre-pandemic — the transition back to reality can be its own challenge.
If you’re off to a slow start, here are some remote work tips for shaking off the cobwebs after the holidays, or any time-off period:
Change the scenery
If you have access to a coworking space, this is a good time to use it. It’ll force you to get dressed for the day and give you the opportunity to network and socialize with people offscreen. If you don’t, try working for an hour or two at a nearby cafe or library, or even a local museum, gallery or garden, if they allow guests to sit and use their laptops during their visit.
If leaving home isn’t an option for whatever reason, be sure to at least connect with teammates and ask how their New Year’s break was.
Freshen up your home office
Does your workspace need a declutter? Now’s a good time to do it. If you’re the type to always keep things organized, consider rearranging the furniture or redecorating, even if it’s something small like hanging new artwork or updating family photos on your desk.
One inexpensive way to give your space an upgrade is to add LED via lighting to your computer monitor(s). The backlit look is striking, and it’s easy on the eyes. No standalone monitor? You can also add bias lighting to the back of your desk, bookshelves and TV screens.
Try a new work app
Apps like Zoom, Slack and Discord have become integral for a lot of remote workers, but they don’t do everything. Is there something you’re dreading as you get back to work? There’s probably an app that can help.
Overwhelmed by emails? Try an email cleaner like Mailstrom or Cleanfox. Is scheduling meetings a chore? Try Calendly or Doodle. Maybe you’ve been meaning to try a new organizational app, time management tool or note-taking app. There is no shortage of any of them. Hop into your device’s app store and shop around for your next new game changer. (Don’t forget to read the reviews!)
Start a new self-care routine
It wouldn’t be a list of remote work tips if it didn’t include self care. Assuming you already make time to decompress during the day, whether it’s a morning walk or afternoon meditation, shake things up by trying something new. That could be something as simple as changing your morning walk route or as big as signing up for a new class.
If you use an app like Calm or Breathly regularly, try switching apps for a while. If you find that a mobile game break eases work anxiety, download a new one.
If you’re not including some kind of self care during your remote work week, it’s time for that to change.
Don’t feel guilty
Not everyone starts the new year bright eyed and bushy tailed, and that’s OK. If you feel like working from the couch by your soon-to-be-gone Christmas tree instead of your regular work space, and you can be productive there, go for it. If you’re not up for leaving the house the week after New Year’s so you can ease back into the groove, that’s fine. But if you feel like you can’t get out of a fog and your productivity is slipping, it might be time to talk to someone. MentalHealth.gov offers free resources, and you can also access support via the NAMI helpline.
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