Working from home today is very normal. Covid - 19 forced many companies to work virtually and all of a sudden remote working was the best way to conduct business. The days of ‘You must go to an office!’ are behind us. It has become very common that many companies are fully shifting to having their employees work remotely. The pandemic made many people realise that work can be done from anywhere and everywhere - unless you are an essential service provider. This came with technological advancements and intensive research to make it more comfortable for people across the globe to work virtually.

With working remotely, it is important to be able to have the same capacity as you would in an office set up to achieve your daily goals and targets. To begin with, let us look at what you need to do when you start working from home.

Get a desk

Do not underestimate the importance of a desk. Working from your bed looks fun, but wait until your back feels the pinch. Getting a desk will not only help you focus but also give you a workspace away from the office setup. You don’t have to go all out and get an executive desk. Most probably you may not have the space to place it. Don’t forget to get a comfortable chair too.

Stay hydrated

Working from home means you will rarely leave the house for meetings, events or your own personal activities. This means the urge to hydrate will not be high as you are moving and sweating less. It is important to stay hydrated as this boosts your productivity and creativity. If you are finding it hard to drink plain water, you can infuse your water with vegetables such as cucumber, fruits such as strawberries or lemons or herbs such as mint.

Open the windows

Let the air in. Studies have shown that small particulate matter and other indoor pollutants such as dirt, dust and gases can inflame the airways and lungs, impairing immune response and reducing the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. Ensure that your workspace is properly ventilated and keep it clean from dirt and dust.

Move around

Working from home means your workspace will be the one place where you conduct your meetings, have breakfast and lunch, make calls and browse your social media without the need to get up. We tend to underestimate how moving our bodies is important for our physical and mental well being. You can move around in your space by making calls while walking in the house, browsing your social media while standing, eating in a different place than you work and get outside at least once a day for a walk or run. When we move our bodies, we improve our productivity and creativity throughout the day.

How long have you been working from home? What advice would you give someone who is working from home for the first time?