As many parts of Australia have gone back into a lockdown, we wanted to share some tips so you can look after your wellbeing when working from home.

Working from home can bring with it many benefits, from productivity growth to flexibility improvements. However, it can also be an isolating experience if you are not setting healthy boundaries and prioritising your mental health.

Here are 6 simple tips to help you care for your health and wellbeing while working from home.

Get dressed

As tempting as it is to stay in pyjamas all day, the simple act of changing clothes serves as a signal that it’s time to wake up and get things done. You don’t need to dress as formally as you might for work, comfort is key, but waking up and taking care of your appearance can go a long way toward helping you feel like you’re taking care of yourself.

Create a routine

Humans are creatures of habit, so a regular schedule is important – set boundaries between ‘work time’ and ‘home time’. If you feel overwhelmed by your responsibilities, divide your day into smaller tasks so you can focus on one at a time. When the working day is done, log off and leave your workspace to focus on personal activities to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Designate a workspace

One of the biggest challenges when it comes to working remotely is keeping your work and home lives separate. If you’re used to going into the office, the separation between spaces is physical, and you want to try and recreate that as close as possible at home. If possible, avoid working from your bedroom so it doesn’t become associated with being alert, awake & switched on. Focus only on work when you are in this space to create a physical and mental boundary between your professional and personal life.

Maintain physical health

The three cornerstones of good physical health are eating well, sleeping well and exercising well – and these should not be ignored when you are working from home. Don’t skip meals or work through lunch – mealtimes serve as great ways to break up the day. Don’t compromise your sleep. Keep up physical activity – if you’re not stuck in self-isolation, try to go outside at least once a day. Go for a walk around the block, get fresh air and sunshine. If that’s not possible, there are plenty of free online exercise tutorials to guide you through a lounge room work out.

Stay connected

Communication is key to not feeling isolated or alone. Stay connected with co-workers and your manager by scheduling regular virtual or phone meetings. While most communication throughout the day will be about work, you could consider beginning and ending the day with a more personal conversation in order to stay connected with your colleagues whilst working from home. This can help you feel less isolated, stay productive and reduce stress.

Take regular breaks

Like any working environment, it is important to take the occasional break to let your brain and body relax. Short breaks will help give you the ability to refocus on your work tasks – ultimately supporting both your productivity and mental health. This is also really important from an ergonomic perspective – we share some easy stretches you can do at your desk here.