5 Tips for Working from Home During a Quarantine

If you’re staying at home to promote social distancing or as a way to help minimize the spread of a virus, it’s important to remember that working from home can be very different from working in an office setting. Many successful professionals enjoy working in their offices, yet are surprised when they begin working at home instead of going to their place of employment. Working from home can be a rewarding experience, but it does take some getting used to. Before you start working from home during a quarantine, there are five important tips you should understand.  

1. Create a schedule

One of the most important things you should do is to create a schedule. If you generally work 9 to 5, for example, try to maintain similar working hours. This will help you as you interact with clients and fellow colleagues even if those interactions happen via email. Additionally, when you do return to work, you won’t have to readjust to your schedule.  

Related: How to Manage Your Time When Running a Business from Home

2. Work first

It’s important to get your work done before you do other things around your home. It’s far too easy to get sucked into watching your favorite Netflix show or tidying up your kitchen. In fact, many adults who work from home find that it’s easy to think, “I can work at anytime, so I’ll do this other activity first.” The reality is that if you spend your time and energy on one activity, you may struggle to find the motivation to work.  

3. Avoid snacking

When you have constant access to food and no manager to make sure you’re only eating on break times, you may find that it’s difficult to avoid snacking. It’s important that you try to continue with your normal eating habits, however. When you’re working from home, especially when you’re working due to quarantine, you may struggle to get exercise and to move around a lot. This can lead to unwanted weight gain.  

4. Don’t check social media

Nothing sucks your time the way social media does, so don’t be afraid to disable your social media apps from your phone while you’re working. In some cases, you may want to place your phone in a different room while you work so that you aren’t tempted to check Facebook or Instagram when you’re feeling bored.  

Related: Improve Your Productivity, Creativity, and Well-Being with These Crucial Rest Strategies – Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith

5. Stay focused

Most importantly, try to stay focused on your work at hand. Staying focused can help you to continue to create strong, effective material and to interact with clients in a way that is both professional and beneficial. While it’s easy to get distracted when you’re working from home, placing an emphasis on strong focus can help benefit you.

No matter what type of work you’re doing, remember that working from home can be a beneficial experience. Even if you are not personally affected by local or global viruses, working from home can help promote social distancing and can minimize the spread of disease. With these tips, you’ll be ready to keep working from the comfort of your own home.

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