Spring Growth …
… and the fields out of COVID-19
September is always a month I look forward to. It signals the end of long nights and the cold of winter with an explosion of colour from spring flowers.
I recently took time away from work to wander the millions of daffodils at the former home of Sir Heaton Rhodes in Canterbury. Living and working in the uncertain times we are in at present, it was uplifting to connect with nature, take the opportunity to breathe fresh air, and to be enveloped by the silence of the countryside.
As we pass the 6-month milestone of this pandemic—with lockdowns and living and working differently—I know many are still working from home. I was reminded recently of the need to think about what and how we do things to remain productive and well when working remotely. Here are a few pointers.
- Get up
Prepare your brain for work with a routine. Get out of bed, shower, and dress. Do whatever it takes to set you up for a productive day’s work. It is easy to blur the line between working and relaxing when you don’t stick to a routine. Dressing for work can also help set the expectation—not only for yourself, but for anyone you live with—that it’s time to focus on your work.
- Keep regular hours
When you are not physically making your way to and from work, it can be tempting to change your working hours. Small changes to accommodate a lunchtime walk or workout can be energising; however, significant changes to hours can also make it difficult for your body and brain to establish a routine. This can impact negatively on your stress levels, energy levels, sleep quality, ability to connect with loved ones, and your general mood. It can also make it difficult for your team to connect with you and vice versa. Just like the wired remote, keep a connection with your leader and your team. Be clear on the expectations around attending team meetings.Within reason, decide on set hours to do your work, and share this with your team. This will also help to cue your brain to know when it’s time to work, and when it’s time to relax. This will make it easier for you to unwind and reconnect with loved ones at the end of each working day. Burning the candle at both ends for long periods can make you less productive and less able to manage the normal undulations of daily life.
- Take regular breaksAt work there are usually daily signals that tell you when it’s time for a break. Whether it’s the end of a meeting or a lunch break, these cues tell us it’s time to stop what we’re doing and refuel and recharge. Schedule your own regular lunch break, and a couple of smaller breaks throughout the day to move around and make a drink. We were designed to move frequently during the day, and with comfortable furniture within reach, it is way too easy to limit our whole-body movements. Move your body at least once per hour for a few minutes by walking or stretching. You will notice a difference in your comfort and your productivity.
- Know your distraction triggers
Your home is full of distractions. It might be Netflix, your neighbour, a new recipe book, family members, or the dog. Understand what distracts you, and work to a planner or a calendar to avoid these triggers. Setting mini daily goals may be useful.
- Set clear ground rules
Your family or housemates might see working from home as an opportunity to spend more time together. Some of us avoid setting clear boundaries so as not to offend people. However, it may be easier to lay out clear ground rules for everyone involved right from the start.
- Set up a designated work area
When working from home, you may feel tempted to multitask with jobs that need doing around the house. But, if you establish a designated workspace in your home and use it consistently, you can prevent potential household distractions, while signalling to your brain (and anyone else in the house) that it’s time to get down to business. Dusting the light shades can always wait.If you can, try to use a room that isn’t used for any other purpose. If you don’t have a spare room, try to establish a space that is relatively free from interruptions.For those working in a small apartment or house, set up a space such as the breakfast bar, desk or dining table, and ensure that you set it up and pack it down at the beginning and end of each day. Your goal is to create a work haven that allows you to focus when you need to.
- Stop work at the end of the day
This is the most crucial step for maintaining a healthy flow between work and home life. When the workday ends, shut down your computer, leave or pack up your workspace, and don’t return to it until it’s time to work again the next morning. Doing this consistently will help your brain realise when it’s time to work and when it’s time to relax. It will also send a signal to your family and friends, so they also learn to understand your work–life boundaries.
Above all, take care of yourself.
Stuart Terry
President, AAIR
Photo of daffodil fields by Stuart Terry
