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These days, many of us are working from home due to the pandemic. Those of us who, in pre-COVID times, were used to going to the office every day, had to deal with some pretty big changes. At GlobalSprachTeam, we\u2019ve been working remotely since March and have learned a lot in the process. Keep reading to find out what has helped the members of our team the most.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n 1) Routine<\/strong><\/p>\n There is general consensus within the team that it is important to have and adhere to some kind of a routine. \u201cI try to stick to my normal working hours as much as possible\u201d, says Project Management Team Leader Kirsty. \u201cThat really helps when it comes to keeping my private life and my work life separate\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cI put my laptop away every day at 5:00 p.m. and don\u2019t look at it until I start work the next day\u201d, agrees project manager Olivia. Sometimes, that can take a little bit of discipline, as it can be quite tempting to \u201cjust finish one small thing\u201d \u2013 particularly if you can\u2019t go out for the evening.<\/p>\n To frame your working hours, it can be helpful to take a little walk before and afterwards. Kirsty acts like she still has a commute: \u201cI get up as if I had to catch the train\u201d, she says. \u201cInstead, I use the time to go for a walk before I get down to work\u201d.<\/p>\n Ramona, another project management team leader, is a fan of strict scheduling. \u201cI plan when to eat, hang up laundry, and take a break outside. Likewise, I set times for concentrated work \u2013 and it\u2019s important to stick to them!\u201d, she explains.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2) Work environment<\/strong><\/p>\n Aside from a solid routine, the environment in which you work is also important. After all, strict working hours don\u2019t do you any good if the prerequisites for productivity are not present. \u201cAn ergonomic workspace with a comfortable chair and a desk lay a good foundation\u201d, advises project manager Neil. If you have the space, it\u2019s best to separate your workspace from you living space or bedroom.<\/p>\n Those who share a remote office should do their best to set up two separate workspaces. If that is not spatially possible, then it\u2019s time to get creative. \u201cMy first and most important purchase during the shutdown was a set of comfortable headphones\u201d, says CEO Tatjana Sassenberg.<\/p>\n \u201cI also think that the temperature of the room is really important\u201d, says Olivia. \u201cI get cold easily, but if it\u2019s too warm, I get sleepy. I like to keep it reasonably warm and them wrap myself in a blanket\u201d. Lighting is also a big factor: \u201cA brightly lit room keeps you alert and goes easy on your eyes\u201d.<\/p>\n It\u2019s also a good idea to figure out if \u201cbackground music is a help or a hindrance\u201d, says Cyrill, head of IT. And when it comes to noise generated by others, communication is vital. \u201cMy neighbors like to crank up the bass so high that my desk vibrates\u201d, he adds. A good relationship with your neighbors or roommates lays a solid foundation for mitigating such disturbances, at least during certain hours.<\/p>\n The right outfit is another factor contributing to a productive work environment. Here, though, opinions differ within the team. Some of us, such as project manager Robin, like to dress up in work attire in order to \u201cpsychologically transition into work mode\u201d. Others prefer to take advantage of remote working by wearing pajamas, thick socks, and baggy sweaters. \u201cI\u2019ve found that I am relaxed yet motivated when I\u2019m dressed comfily\u201d, admits Olivia.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 3) Fresh air and physical activity<\/strong><\/p>\n The team\u2019s beloved walks outside serve not only to separate work and private life from each other. Additionally, they keep you feeling energetic while aiding circulation. \u201cYour ability to concentrate definitely benefits from 15 minutes outside\u201d, says Neil. \u201cI like to go for a little walk to de-stress or to prevent drowsiness\u201d, agrees Kirsty.<\/p>\n If two people in one household are working from home, breaks can be coordinated, too. \u201cClear communication about our work breaks helped us to find our rhythm\u201d, says Tatjana Sassenberg about her daily walks with her partner.<\/p>\n During the winter months, it\u2019s also advisable to get outside while it\u2019s still light. \u201cOtherwise you\u2019ll be bummed that you didn\u2019t go out before darkness hits\u201d, says Robin. A little vitamin D and some daylight can work wonders. Some team members are lucky enough to have a four-legged friend. \u201cMy dog asks to go out regularly, so I never have to worry about forgetting to take a break\u201d, says Olivia. \u201cCome rain or shine, I always go outside\u201d.<\/p>\n Truthfully, the weather is not always perfect for being outdoors \u2013 and without a dog, there is nobody forcing you to leave your apartment. But even if it\u2019s pouring, that\u2019s no reason to neglect active breaks. Regularly getting up from your desk and moving a little bit in your home is great for getting your body back on track. \u201cAnd don\u2019t forget to stretch\u201d, adds Kirsty. \u201cStretching regularly feels really good after you\u2019ve been at your desk for a while\u201d.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 4) Food and drink<\/strong><\/p>\n Our team also recommends fueling your body healthily. \u201cTaking enough time for meals energizes you and aids general wellbeing\u201d, says Robin. \u201cYou should also keep tabs on how many snacks you have at home and whether or not they\u2019re healthy\u201d, adds Cyrill. Only eating chips and candy will leave you feeling less than stellar. Seasonal fruit and veggies, on the other hand, add some color and boost your immune system.<\/p>\n All that being said, it\u2019s counterproductive to be too hard on yourself. \u201cParticularly in these stressful times, it\u2019s not helpful to additionally stress out over a chocolate bar here or there\u201d, says Olivia.<\/p>\n Kirsty recommends \u201cwatching your coffee intake\u201d, as too much coffee can be hard on your system. Instead, focus on drinking enough water. Especially when it\u2019s cold, regularly reminding yourself may be necessary. A hot tea is great for warming up, though \u2013 perhaps after a walk.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 5) Mental Health<\/strong><\/p>\n Physical health is important, but mental health is equally crucial. Those who, like us, worked in an office prior to the pandemic, may be coping with loneliness. It is thus all the more important to actively keep in touch with your colleagues. Ramona recommends \u201cusing videoconferences for more than just mandatory meetings. Use them for virtual coffee breaks with your coworkers\u201d.<\/p>\n To process the workday, it can be helpful to \u201cwrite down the things that were good about your day and that you\u2019re proud of\u201d, says Kirsty. That\u2019s great for focusing on the positive and elevating your mood. Right now, the world often seems particularly dark, so illuminating the high points is very important.<\/p>\n Cyrill also knows how important it is \u201cto cultivate gratefulness and positive emotions\u201d. That is a lot easier to do when you have a team that sticks together. He adds: \u201cIt really helps to know that I have great colleagues that I can count on\u201d.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n (O.M. 2021)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n How do you stay motivated when working remotely? What do you think of our tips? Let us know on Twitter<\/a>!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"