Working from home may be a first for many people and so it is important to understand how to do so effectively and efficiently without putting a strain on your mental wellbeing.
So many of us will be used to a set routine; wake up, shower, have breakfast, get to work, eat lunch, get home, have dinner, relax, sleep. Having a routine provides clarity and keeps us in control of being productive and the best version of ourselves we can possibly be.
Whilst working from home it is important to keep some sort of routine; this will avoid us feeling stressed anxious and perhaps overwhelmed. Here are some simple steps you can incorporate into your daily routine to make sure you can stay focused.
Balancing Work and Life: A Guide to Successful Working From Home Tips
In today’s rapidly evolving work environment, many are making the shift to the home office. Uncover the strategies for sustaining productivity and well-being in this guide. From crafting a comfortable workspace to mastering time management, we offer top tips for successful working from home.
1. Get changed!
There’s one thing wearing comfortable clothes and another not changing out your pyjamas. Put on appropriate comfortable clothing to work in, besides you don’t want to get caught out on a last-minute conference call!
2. Wake up with time to spare.
Yes, the commute may only be from one room to another, but you still need to wake up both physically and mentally.
3. DIY office space.
Make sure you dedicate a space to where you’ll be doing your work that’s not your bedroom or leisure space such as your sofa, help make the work-life divide a little clearer.
4. Comfort is key.
Whether your office space is your desk, or a kitchen table make sure it’s comfortable. Choose a chair that supports your back and think about propping your laptop up at eye level to avoid hurting your neck.
5. Priotitise your nutrition.
There’s no one around to silently judge you on your snack choices when you’re at home but resist the urge to snack on junk during the day. Use the time you are saving on the commute to prepare your meals. For example, starting your day with a smoothie is a great way to pack the nutrition in first thing, head over to our blog for plenty of recipes
6. Learn to love a list.
It’s so easy to get off task while working from home. Having a checklist of the things you need to get done will help you visualize your progress throughout the day.
7. Don’t get distracted.
Just because you’re working from home doesn’t mean its time to do that lengthy wardrobe clear out you’ve been wanting to do. Doing non work-related tasks will lead to distractions. Set time at the weekend to do this.
8. Stay connected.
With today’s technology we can keep connected to check in with co-workers to make sure we are all on the same page, it is important to have an update at the start of the day and at the end.
9. It’s okay to take a break.
Day to day in the office you’re probably not working 100% of the time. So, it’s okay to move away from your screen, take 5 and recharge.
10. Have some background noise.
Your home probably won’t have the same buzz as your busy office space so put on some music or turn on the radio, so you don’t feel like you’re alone.
11. Switch off.
When it reaches the end of the day be sure to turn off any work-related notifications, leave no trace of work that will tempt you to return. Head to the sofa, put your feet up and relax or go out for a walk whilst the weathers so good!
12. Get some shut eye.
We require 7-9 hours of sleep each night. However, long commutes, especially for those in London, can lead to late nights and insufficient rest. This situation presents an excellent opportunity to enhance your sleep hygiene and bedtime routines for the future. Sufficient sleep boosts brain function, increases energy levels, and enhances your ability to handle challenges. Plus, when you’re tired, you’re more likely to crave sugary or starchy foods – ensuring adequate sleep reduces the need for junk food. Read more about sleep hygiene in our previous blogs here
13. Spend time with family.
Long work hours can rob you of precious family time during the week. Now, with extra hours at home, seize the opportunity to bond – play games, cook together, or enjoy outdoor activities in the garden..
Whilst working from home and being confined to our homes may be more extreme over the coming week and can be a challenge, there are certainly some silver linings to our newfound work-from-home situation. Our only choice is to make the most out of it and take the small wins wherever they arise!

Kumud Gandhi is a Nutritional Food Scientist bestselling Author, Broadcaster, and Keynote Speaker on the subject of nutritional health for productivity & performance in the workplace. In 2010 Kumud founded ‘The Cooking Academy’ a cookery school that focusses on cooking for nutritional health and wellbeing. Kumud regularly presents to international audiences on a variety of topics such as ‘Eating for Immunity and a Lifetime of Wellness’. She is an expert in the field of Wellness in the Workplace and works with organizations to create transformational change in employee health & well-being through nutrition and health coaching.
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