10 Top Tips for Home Working/Studying
Many of you reading this have gone from education to career, never having to work or study from home before. Suddenly we find ourselves in a situation where the majority of us have to switch up our whole lives and either work or study (or both) from home. Thankfully I'm used to this, having now completed over half of my law degree from home, alongside working, and with very little contact time.
So here are my top tips for making sure you don't find yourself in a productivity slump, and come out of this a better person physically and mentally.
1) Structure your day:
First up, and one of the most important things to get used to, is to structure your day. Okay so I'll admit, the first few days it's nice to binge watch that series you've been meaning to on Netflix. But after giving yourself a chance to rest and acknowledge your new reality- it's time to ditch the pyjamas and start working to a schedule (plus I guarantee you'll be bored of endless episodes of Friends eventually.)
It is so important for your mental health to put this structure in place, and as soon as you get into a routine it will feel normal (ish.) Set a time you will get up every day, it doesn't have to be too early but I would suggest before 9. And then set the times you will work for and schedule in some exercise, meals and relaxation (I'll talk more about all these later.)
If it helps, write it down, stick it on your wall, set timers on your phone- whatever works for you.
2) Exercise:
This one is so important I cannot stress it enough- Get. Some. Exercise.
Whenever you do this it doesn't matter, but try and put it at the same time each day to fit in with the structure we talked about earlier.
And do whatever works for you, whether it's taking the dog out for a walk, going for a run or doing a home workout (there's tons of free apps out there.)
The important element, whatever you choose to do, is that you can switch your mind off from everything else and release endorphins. It will make your mood so much better, and there's an added bonus of coming out the other side of this in better shape.
3) Different things in different places:
This one may seem silly, but I find it really helps. Set up a space that you will work in (try not to do this on your bed/sofa,) a space to relax, a space to eat and a space to sleep.
I appreciate that many people are short of space, but try to be inventive and do the best with what you have. A change of scenery will work wonders.
4) Hobbies:
Set aside some time in your schedule to do something other than work. This is where you could watch an episode of that series you were watching, or take up a new hobby. The world of YouTube can teach you to do pretty much anything! So get creative and enjoy yourself.
5) Reward yourself:
This can be whatever you enjoy, but make sure that after meeting that deadline, or submitting that assignment, or sticking to your routine for the day, you make sure there is some reward for yourself.
6) Be strict:
I know I just told you to be kind to yourself and reward yourself, but it's also very important to stay strict as well.
It can be all too easy to slip into the 'I don't need to do anymore' mindset, and this will stack the work up and cause unnecessary stress. Make sure if you need to study for 4 hours that day, you put your phone down, get rid of as many distractions as possible, put your head down and do it.
7) Talk to other people:
Whether it's messaging your friends, phoning your family or chatting to whoever you live with, make sure you have plenty of human interaction.
As satisfying as it can be to spend the whole day only talking to yourself and the dog, you need to make sure you talk to some real live people as well!
8) Eat well:
So like we talked about in structuring your day, you need to make sure that in that routine are 3 nutritious meals.
I'm no diet expert- but I do know that Easter eggs for breakfast, lunch and dinner aren't going to help you!
9) Power hours:
If the routine has failed you, and you've spent the last 4 hours staring at the same Instagram stories over and over again- it's time for a Power Hour!
Set an alarm for an hour, put your phone somewhere put of sight, and force yourself to concentrate for just one hour. You'll be surprised how much you get done!
10) Relax:
At the end of the day, when all of this is done, make sure you set some time aside to wind down and relax doing whatever it is that you love.
As much a sit is important to keep busy during this time, it is a struggle for everyone and cutting yourself some slack and relaxing is important for your health.
So I hope this advice will help you, and when you get to the end of the day you'll be surprised how busy you felt even if you thought you had nothing to do! Let me know in the comments below if you've tried any of these out or your own tips.
Stay safe everyone.
So here are my top tips for making sure you don't find yourself in a productivity slump, and come out of this a better person physically and mentally.
1) Structure your day:
First up, and one of the most important things to get used to, is to structure your day. Okay so I'll admit, the first few days it's nice to binge watch that series you've been meaning to on Netflix. But after giving yourself a chance to rest and acknowledge your new reality- it's time to ditch the pyjamas and start working to a schedule (plus I guarantee you'll be bored of endless episodes of Friends eventually.)
It is so important for your mental health to put this structure in place, and as soon as you get into a routine it will feel normal (ish.) Set a time you will get up every day, it doesn't have to be too early but I would suggest before 9. And then set the times you will work for and schedule in some exercise, meals and relaxation (I'll talk more about all these later.)
If it helps, write it down, stick it on your wall, set timers on your phone- whatever works for you.
2) Exercise:
This one is so important I cannot stress it enough- Get. Some. Exercise.
Whenever you do this it doesn't matter, but try and put it at the same time each day to fit in with the structure we talked about earlier.
And do whatever works for you, whether it's taking the dog out for a walk, going for a run or doing a home workout (there's tons of free apps out there.)
The important element, whatever you choose to do, is that you can switch your mind off from everything else and release endorphins. It will make your mood so much better, and there's an added bonus of coming out the other side of this in better shape.
3) Different things in different places:
This one may seem silly, but I find it really helps. Set up a space that you will work in (try not to do this on your bed/sofa,) a space to relax, a space to eat and a space to sleep.
I appreciate that many people are short of space, but try to be inventive and do the best with what you have. A change of scenery will work wonders.
4) Hobbies:
Set aside some time in your schedule to do something other than work. This is where you could watch an episode of that series you were watching, or take up a new hobby. The world of YouTube can teach you to do pretty much anything! So get creative and enjoy yourself.
5) Reward yourself:
This can be whatever you enjoy, but make sure that after meeting that deadline, or submitting that assignment, or sticking to your routine for the day, you make sure there is some reward for yourself.
6) Be strict:
I know I just told you to be kind to yourself and reward yourself, but it's also very important to stay strict as well.
It can be all too easy to slip into the 'I don't need to do anymore' mindset, and this will stack the work up and cause unnecessary stress. Make sure if you need to study for 4 hours that day, you put your phone down, get rid of as many distractions as possible, put your head down and do it.
7) Talk to other people:
Whether it's messaging your friends, phoning your family or chatting to whoever you live with, make sure you have plenty of human interaction.
As satisfying as it can be to spend the whole day only talking to yourself and the dog, you need to make sure you talk to some real live people as well!
8) Eat well:
So like we talked about in structuring your day, you need to make sure that in that routine are 3 nutritious meals.
I'm no diet expert- but I do know that Easter eggs for breakfast, lunch and dinner aren't going to help you!
9) Power hours:
If the routine has failed you, and you've spent the last 4 hours staring at the same Instagram stories over and over again- it's time for a Power Hour!
Set an alarm for an hour, put your phone somewhere put of sight, and force yourself to concentrate for just one hour. You'll be surprised how much you get done!
10) Relax:
At the end of the day, when all of this is done, make sure you set some time aside to wind down and relax doing whatever it is that you love.
As much a sit is important to keep busy during this time, it is a struggle for everyone and cutting yourself some slack and relaxing is important for your health.
So I hope this advice will help you, and when you get to the end of the day you'll be surprised how busy you felt even if you thought you had nothing to do! Let me know in the comments below if you've tried any of these out or your own tips.
Stay safe everyone.
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