Top Tips for Working from Home

The Government announced last night, Monday 16th March 2020,  that everyone who can, should work from home.

Working in a different environment can be challenging to say the least, especially when you aren’t used to it.

Here’s some tips from Vicki at Wakefield Mumbler, who has been a home worker for 17 years:

• If you can, try and allocate an area that is separate from your family life to work in, as it is so easy to keep working longer than you normally would on an evening.
• Ideas for home offices are using a dining room, putting a desk in your kids’ bedroom whilst they are at school, or using a spare bedroom.
• Set up your desk so you are comfortable, try a different number of chairs from around the house until you find one that suits.
• The height of a screen is key to making sure you don’t get back problems. It could be as easy as using some books to raise the screen to the correct level.
• I would definitely recommend getting out of your PJs every morning. It is so easy to not get changed but it makes you feel so much better
• Ensure you get a change of scenery every day, whether this is going for a walk or sitting in the back garden.
• Keep in contact with colleagues daily, via video calls or Whatsapp.
• Take regular breaks. When you work from home, your step count is rubbish!! Make sure you get up, do something to make you stop and take a rest. As you’re at home, this could be putting the washing on, tidying a room, going up and down your stairs a few times or going for a walk around the block!
• Take a lunch break; it’s so easy to just have 10 minutes when you’re homeworking!
• Keep in communication with your friends!
• If you are fit and healthy, look for ideas to keep up with other local families in the area on a weekend (although at the moment, make sure you’re taking heed of Government advice regarding self isolating). Make sure you’ve got something planned to look forward to – check the Calderdale Mumbler blog for lots of ideas!
• Keep talking and share your experiences with others.
• Use the Calderdale Mumbler chat group to share your top tips and to keep in contact with other parents!

Do you have any other tips to share? Let me know at calderdale@mumbler.co.uk