TIPS TO STAY SANE WHILE WORKING FROM HOME DURING LOCKDOWN

Working from home seems great -- but can also be a productivity nightmare

As the list of companies mandating employees to work from home to stop the spread of coronavirus  grows, you might be wondering just exactly how you can stay sane if it happens to you. The panic over coronavirus is already stressful enough, and the last thing you want to worry about is how to Zoom call your manager -- and whether your Wi-Fi can actually handle it. 

But alas, as the coronavirus outbreak shows no signs of slowing down, you could soon be in that position. Let me let you in on a little secret -- as someone who's been working from home full-time for nearly two years now, it's not all PJs and Netflix like you might imagine. In fact, working from home is sometimes more difficult than not. There can be days when you're distracted or interrupted every 10 seconds by family members or housemates. Or household chores like laundry or dishes could call your name while emails pour into your inbox.

Working from home has its perks -- you can work in sweatpants if you want, there's no commute time and sometimes you can be more focused and efficient. But you'll make the most of it if you approach the day intentionally. Below are some of my best tips for working from home while staying sane and productive.

• Avoid working in bed
• Avoid working where you'll be tempted or distracted
• Set boundaries with other people at home
• Take breaks
• Avoid total social isolation

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.
July 10, 2020

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