Voluntary Benefits
Published by Trustmark Voluntary Benefits on May 18th, 2020
Over the past few months, we’ve all had to make adjustments due to the Coronavirus pandemic. For many of us, one of the most drastic changes has been working from home. In a society where we are used to our routines, commute and 9-5 office hours, the sudden transformation of our homes into work spaces, school rooms and gyms has presented both obstacles and learning opportunities. Whether you’re working from home alone or with children, spouses or pets, you’ve likely experienced some of the mental, physical and logistical challenges that come with this new arrangement. No matter your situation, we’re here to help promote your physical and mental wellbeing during this time, which is why we want to share some useful tips and tricks to make the most of work-from-home.
1. Identify a good work space
It’s important to have a dedicated work space in your home with a desk or table to help you stay organized and keep notes, laptops and other work materials in one place. Having a separate work area can also help psychologically, giving you a sense of routine and the familiarity of a set-up that you associate with work. If you can, try to place your work desk or table near natural lighting where you can feel the sunshine and keep an eye to the outside world.
2. Establish a routine
You may think that routines don’t have much of an effect on your mental health, but experts say that every time we make a decision, we experience some degree of stress and that having a routine reduces stress because it allows for more control and predictability.1 It’s safe to say that we’ve all been stressed to some extent due to COVID-19, so having a routine can help eliminate a few of those extra daily decisions. Begin by choosing a set time to get up each morning and set an alarm. Before starting your day, try to eat breakfast, take care of your hygiene and get dressed. Avoid rolling out of bed just to log in to your computer and spend the entire day in pajamas, we know it can be tempting!
3. Avoid technical issues
Nothing is a bigger mood or productivity killer than having technical issues. If you’re working from home on your computer, try to maintain strong internet connection by working near your router and limiting your open tabs or closing them regularly. For conference calls, limit video, minimize screen sharing when possible and switch to audio only if your internet connection is a challenge. It also helps to call into a virtual conference call on a cell phone and to dial in a few minutes before or after everyone else for easier connection and potentially better audio quality.
4. Set expectations with your team
Communicating virtually with coworkers can be difficult, especially when it comes to managing expectations, timelines and completing group tasks. In a normal office setting where you have more access to your team members, it’s easy to ask your boss a quick question or to collaborate between meetings with your coworkers. However, with these casual opportunities for open communication no longer available, it’s important to communicate efficiently and effectively. During virtual team meetings, clearly cite all action items for each person and make sure everyone has a takeaway from the meeting. Also, be sure to establish timelines and solidify follow-up dates to help keep everyone on the same page and avoid future miscommunication.
5. Keep moving and take breaks
Even though we’re at home, there are still plenty of ways to take care of our mental and physical wellbeing. To avoid becoming a couch potato and feeling blue, keep moving! Try not to let yourself sit for long periods of time. Get up, go for a walk outside, stretch or even do an at-home workout to help boost your mood. And whether you’re working from home or not, make sure to take breaks from what you’re doing and get a change of scenery throughout your day, even if that just means sitting on your porch instead of lying on your couch for a while. A great way to remember this every day is by taking your usual lunch hour and separating it from the rest of your day by eating away from your desk or in another room.
Working from home looks different for everyone, but these tips can help you make the best of your situation. If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, here are a few more ways to help reduce stress. When in doubt take a deep breath, pick up the phone and stay connected with the people in your life who can help support you. Remember, we’re all in this together!
1Piedmont Healthcare. Why routines are good for your health. 2020.
1. Identify a good work space
It’s important to have a dedicated work space in your home with a desk or table to help you stay organized and keep notes, laptops and other work materials in one place. Having a separate work area can also help psychologically, giving you a sense of routine and the familiarity of a set-up that you associate with work. If you can, try to place your work desk or table near natural lighting where you can feel the sunshine and keep an eye to the outside world.
2. Establish a routine
You may think that routines don’t have much of an effect on your mental health, but experts say that every time we make a decision, we experience some degree of stress and that having a routine reduces stress because it allows for more control and predictability.1 It’s safe to say that we’ve all been stressed to some extent due to COVID-19, so having a routine can help eliminate a few of those extra daily decisions. Begin by choosing a set time to get up each morning and set an alarm. Before starting your day, try to eat breakfast, take care of your hygiene and get dressed. Avoid rolling out of bed just to log in to your computer and spend the entire day in pajamas, we know it can be tempting!
3. Avoid technical issues
Nothing is a bigger mood or productivity killer than having technical issues. If you’re working from home on your computer, try to maintain strong internet connection by working near your router and limiting your open tabs or closing them regularly. For conference calls, limit video, minimize screen sharing when possible and switch to audio only if your internet connection is a challenge. It also helps to call into a virtual conference call on a cell phone and to dial in a few minutes before or after everyone else for easier connection and potentially better audio quality.
4. Set expectations with your team
Communicating virtually with coworkers can be difficult, especially when it comes to managing expectations, timelines and completing group tasks. In a normal office setting where you have more access to your team members, it’s easy to ask your boss a quick question or to collaborate between meetings with your coworkers. However, with these casual opportunities for open communication no longer available, it’s important to communicate efficiently and effectively. During virtual team meetings, clearly cite all action items for each person and make sure everyone has a takeaway from the meeting. Also, be sure to establish timelines and solidify follow-up dates to help keep everyone on the same page and avoid future miscommunication.
5. Keep moving and take breaks
Even though we’re at home, there are still plenty of ways to take care of our mental and physical wellbeing. To avoid becoming a couch potato and feeling blue, keep moving! Try not to let yourself sit for long periods of time. Get up, go for a walk outside, stretch or even do an at-home workout to help boost your mood. And whether you’re working from home or not, make sure to take breaks from what you’re doing and get a change of scenery throughout your day, even if that just means sitting on your porch instead of lying on your couch for a while. A great way to remember this every day is by taking your usual lunch hour and separating it from the rest of your day by eating away from your desk or in another room.
Working from home looks different for everyone, but these tips can help you make the best of your situation. If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, here are a few more ways to help reduce stress. When in doubt take a deep breath, pick up the phone and stay connected with the people in your life who can help support you. Remember, we’re all in this together!
1Piedmont Healthcare. Why routines are good for your health. 2020.
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Written by Trustmark Voluntary Benefits
We provide innovative voluntary benefits that help our policyholders achieve greater financial security and protect what they care about most. You care. We listen.
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