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This month many businesses across the UK have implemented remote working policies in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. For those of us who are used to office settings and minimal remote working, the change of environment can take some getting used to. Working from home is not as easy as it seems on the surface with many finding it difficult to stay focused and productive. Wellbeing and mental health can also suffer after long periods of ineffective remote working.

When founding AM Marketing, our CEO Amy worked alone from her spare bedroom for two years, so she knows from experience how to work from home effectively and look after your wellbeing. She’s got a multitude of tips for those of us working from home and self-isolating over the next coming weeks.
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“Remote working sounds great in theory, but it can be much more difficult when there aren’t others around you to help motivate and keep you on track. Distractions are easily found!”

1. Make a List​

​If you’re not used to working from home, you can become easily distracted. One load of washing here, tidying the bedroom there. Suddenly, the hours have passed, and you haven’t got anything done. I like to make two lists: one for work and one for personal. These even include items such as ‘have breakfast’ and ‘drink water’ just to remind me. It’s amazing what you forget when your usual routine is out of sync. Having a list will keep you on track and accomplishing what you need to each day.

2. ​Maintain personal hygiene and ditch the PJs

​When working from home there’s always the temptation to get up and head straight to the office in your PJs and not bother with much else. This may feel great for the first couple of days, but will have a negative effect on your wellbeing in the long-run. Make a conscious effort to get dressed and maintain the same personal hygiene standards you would for the office. A shower in the morning is also a great way to wake up and feel refreshed before starting work.

3. Take time away from the screen

​This is a great tip for everyday, but can be much harder when away from the office. You sit down to work and before you know it the day has passed. Aim to take 15 minutes away from the screen every 2-3 hours as a minimum and get your body moving! Go for a short walk (even if it’s around the garden a few times), do some stretches or walk up and down the stairs. Anything where you’re no longer sitting and getting the blood flowing. This will not only enhance your wellbeing, but ensure your hours spent working are productive.

4. Eat breakfast (and lunch!)

​When you’re working from home it’s even easier to forget to eat. Start your days with a healthy breakfast to set you on the right path. Foods such as bananas, fatty fish, nuts, eggs and porridge are great for slow energy release and stopping you snacking! When you’re working at home, the urge to snack is so much greater! You may also benefit from setting a lunch alarm. When your colleagues aren’t there to remind you, it’s all too easy to carry on working and forget to eat. 

5. Keep track of your hours and projects

​If you’re not used to remote working or don’t have any systems set-up, there are several programs you can use to help you. These include hour tracking software such as Harvest, project management software such as Monday.com, Basecamp and Asana, communication platforms such as Slack, and Zoom for conferencing. They make remote working a lot more streamlined, especially with several members of staff. Most aren’t free, but do have free trial periods. 

6. Listen to classical music

​Classical music, in particular baroque music, has been proven in several studies to improve concentration and learning efficiency. Classical music has also been shown to reduce blood pressure, boost productivity, and supercharge your brainpower.  Exactly what you need for remote working.

7. Set a strict stop time and close the door

​I was terrible at this in the beginning; I would work and work and work, suddenly it’s 10pm. Set a strict stop time to end your day of work and keep to it. If you’re working in a home office or different room, make sure you close the door. This simple yet effective action separates your work-life from your home-life; something that is hard to do when they’re under the same roof! If you’re working in a communal space, tidy up your work and put it all away so it’s not in your face. In addition to this, I like to have a transition event between working and not working. By this I mean, something that tells your body and mind that work is over. This could be something as simple as dancing around to an upbeat song, doing some stretches, going for a brisk walk or making your favourite drink. Whatever works for you. 

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So there you have it! Amy’s top tips for working remotely. The whole AM team is currently working from home for the foreseeable future, but you can get in touch with us using any of the platforms below. From all of us to all of you, stay safe and look after each other. We wish you good health and happiness in these difficult times.

Amy and The AM Team x

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