If somebody asked you a few months ago if you’d like to work from home, I'm sure you’d jump at the chance, right?...Fast-forward to present-day though where the world faces COVID-19 pandemic and UK government instructs all to “stay at home” if possible, and it's safe to say that the nations’ glamorised idea of working from home has quickly been replaced by the various challenges and realities of working in this kind of setting...

...But how do we overcome these challenges and make the most of working from home? Well, as I type these words from my ‘temporary home office’ on day 7 of #WFH, I can safely say that working from home has been a major adjustment to get used to; one that has been made easier by following these crucial 5 steps....

1 – Create your own space

Sitting on the sofa with your laptop on your lap might do the trick for the first day or two, but as time ticks by, this slouchy work environment will do you no favours, both from a productivity and health point of view.

If possible, try setting up a table/desk (or even an ironing board with a chair) in a relatively quiet and bright area of your home.By mirroring your typical working environment, you are sure to feel more comfortable and confident when working. Plus, by creating this separate working space, you will be able to switch off from home-life a little better.

2 – Ditch the pyjamas

Of course, working in comfortable clothing is a given when working from home, but how do you expect to work productively if you are wearing the same clothes that you’ve just been sleeping in?... It’s time to ditch the pyjamas, freshen up with a warm shower and get ready for a new working day in a fresh set of clothes!

3 – Create a new routine

Your usual routine may be well and truly out of the window as a result of COVID-19 and government advice, but that doesn’t mean you have to wave goodbye to a routine altogether! In fact, in times like these, it's more important than ever to create new routines which balance work and home life!

A great way to start planning your new routine is to list all of the things that you would like to accomplish in a day or week, both from a work and personal point of view, and start spreading these tasks out in manageable slots.... oh, and don’t forget to make planning a regular sleeping routine part of this too...!

4 – Take regular breaks

We ALL need time away from our laptops, mobile devices and workspaces so that we can unwind, collect our thoughts and give our bodies the physical and mental boost required to get us through the next part of the day, and what better way to do this by going outside (if possible) and getting some fresh air.... whether you decide to go on a short solo stroll, a quick runaround the block, or simply want to put your feet up in the back garden, getting outside and leaving the four walls of your home is one of the best ways to utilise your break times.

5 – Communication is key

Working from home can feel very lonely, particularly during these uncertain times of social distancing... but just because we can't physically be with our colleagues doesn’t mean we have to let communication slide... in fact, with such amazing technologies and communication platforms such as Facetime and Whatsapp quite literally available at our fingertips, there really is no excuse for slacking when it comes to communication.

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Happy working from home, and take care everyone!