I’ve been working at home for more than 7 years now. Admittedly, I get pretty restless sometimes. I have no reason to put on makeup to make myself beautiful and no coworkers to annoy by throwing paper airplanes into their cubicle. Whether you are a seasoned WFH pro or you’re new to your home office thanks to COVID-19 restrictions, you may know my pain. Here are some tips to help you beat the WFH blues.
Change Your Scenery
You don’t always have to sit at your desk when you’re working from home. Sure, you might need to be in a specific place when you’re having a video call with your team, but other than that, feel free to break out of your usual spot. Chill out on the sofa for a bit, take your computer onto the porch, or even sit in your bed for a while. (I don’t normally work from bed because I’m afraid that would mess up my sleep routine, but hey, maybe you’ll love it.)
Get Dressed
There are lots of different opinions on whether you should get dressed up for work if no one is going to see you. Some folks love to put on their normal office attire because it gets them in the right frame of mind for productivity. Others say that skipping the dress-up part of the day saves time and energy. Maybe it can even inspire creativity. I’m somewhere in the middle. Some days, I need to shake myself out of a mental fog, and I find that changing out of my PJs and putting on a bit of makeup is the best way to do that.
Listen to Music
Research has found that listening to music while you work can boost your mood and maybe even make you more creative. However, there are exceptions to every rule. If you are trying to absorb new information, it might be best to work in silence. Or, if you are listening to the wrong kind of music (for example, if your significant other won’t stop playing that band you can’t stand), you might find that the music distracts you. The key is finding some tunes that get you into a proper work groove.
An article from Inc. lists five types of music that might be the perfect boost for your workday:
- Classical music
- Nature sounds
- Epic music
- Video game soundtracks (for real—these are designed to stimulate action!)
- Ambient music
Remember Your Mission
It can be easy to get lost in the doldrums of tedious work tasks. You might be doing the same thing you’ve done a million times before or trying once again to satisfy that always-picky client. Those things can get on your nerves and invoke a feeling of dissatisfaction. However, I’ve found that my work is easier when I remind myself about all the good things about it. For example, I get to use my creativity, I’m working toward my financial goals, and I can take pride in doing a good job.
Schedule Something Enjoyable in the Evening
Working from home can make time turn into a sort of blur. Is it March? Is it August? Have we entered an unknown portion of the space-time continuum? To add a bit more structure and fun to your schedule, I recommend that you have something to look forward to in the evening after you finish work. It could be something simple, like treating yourself to a sweet treat. Or it might be a leisurely stroll around the neighborhood, a chat with your parents on Zoom, or game night with your family. Finding little pleasures in your everyday routine can reenergize you for the challenge of the WFH lifestyle.
How do you stay motivated and keep the WFH boredom at bay? Let me know in the comments!