Are you guilty of any of these WFH no-no’s? Read on to know how you can ditch them.
Staying disorganized
It’s one thing to accumulate clutter in your office cubicle; it’s another story to see piles of unsorted documents and whatnots on your work desk at home, even if you have a proper home office.
Keeping your work area clutter-free is especially important if you’re sharing the space with someone else or if you’re using, say, your dining table as a work desk. You need to be as organized as possible. Get rid of clutter with desk organizers and clean your desk regularly. After all, whether at home or in the office, a clear desk lets you focus on more important things on hand.
Not using productivity tools
Your planner is a great help in keeping your to-do list in check, but go beyond pen and paper if you want all the help you can get. There are a lot of free productivity apps or programs that can help you plan your day or manage your time and tasks.
Need to dump your ideas or jot down meeting notes while on your laptop? Check out Evernote, a virtual notepad for anything and everything. If you need a hand in anything management-related—be it a project or even household tasks—Trello is a nifty tool that helps you visualize what you need to do. It’s also a great place to collaborate when you’re managing a team.
Feel free to also maximize Alexa, Siri, Cortana, or Google Home as your virtual assistant for when you need to be reminded of upcoming deadlines or meetings. Working with these tech helpers will definitely lighten your load as you juggle day-to-day assignments.
Slouching all day long in front of your computer
Ever wonder why you’ve been getting back, shoulder, and neck pains lately? That’s because you’ve been hunched for hours, toiling away in front of your laptop. It’s time to straighten your back and make it a habit to get away from your computer every hour. Sneak in some household chores, do a breathing or stretching exercise, or take a 10-minute break on your backyard or balcony.
It will also do you good to elevate your computer. Keep the top of your computer screen at eye-level using desk risers or monitor stands. This will force you to straighten your back for proper posture. If you don’t have an ergonomic chair, make your seat more comfortable by supporting your back with a pillow.
Sticking to old, clunky work gadgets
Nothing is more frustrating than work tools that no longer perform well. You may be stuck working at home, but that doesn’t mean you should get stuck with gadgets that hamper productivity.
Still struggling with a slow internet connection? Now is the time to go for an upgrade. Even a 10mbps difference means a lot especially if you are a household that needs to be online. And don’t hesitate to add that decent pair of headphones to cart if it means better audio during virtual meetings (those earphones will also help you concentrate if you need to block off outside noise). If you’ve been struggling with bad lighting, it’s time to get that ring light!
Not setting boundaries
It’s easy to get carried away with all the Zoom calls, emails, and deadlines especially when there is no bundy clock to log off from. But don’t let your job encroach into your personal life. Establish work hours as if you’re in the office: have your lunch come 12 noon, take a coffee break at 3pm, and wrap things up by 6pm. Sure, you can stray from schedule once in a while, but defining when to put your work hat on and when to take it off is important if you don’t want to experience burn-out.
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To know more about work-life balance, read 5 Ways To Make Working from Home Less Stressful on our blog.
Some of us are fortunate enough to be able to work from home, especially in these extraordinary times. There’s no nerve-racking drive to the office, and meetings can be done virtually at the comfort of your living area.
While this setup seems appealing, working from home can also get overwhelming. You need to find a balance between Zoom meetings and household chores, not to mention taking care of the kids. Suddenly, you find yourself exhausted by the time the clock strikes 7pm. So how do you deal with the new demands of a WFH setup? Here are five tricks to make your day less crazy.
STICK TO A ROUTINE
Creating a daily schedule—and sticking to it as often as you can—is like having a map that helps you navigate a busy day. A clear-cut routine helps put things in order and lets you get things done on time.
Set three major goals per week, then break them down into small tasks so you can easily accomplish each goal. Write all these tasks down to serve as your visual reminder. By the end of the month, you’ll have done most (if not all) of your to-do lists!
STAY ORGANIZED
To minimize the chaos of working from home, designate a quiet space in your nest where you can focus on beating those deadlines (that is, if you don’t have a home office). Stay on top of things by keeping your workspace organized. Store documents and reference materials in filing boxes, and corral office supplies in organizers that you can stow away when not in use.
Alejandro Office Supplies / Files Organizer
If you find yourself constantly moving from one area to another, use a portable work desk that you can effortlessly fold and keep out of sight when you’re done. A boxy tote where you can store files in is also handy.
Sergio Portable Office Files Tote
KEEP THINGS WITHIN REACH
Sifting through stacks of paper just to find that one document you need to scan can be annoying, not to mention time-consuming. Therefore, make sure the items you use on a daily basis are accessible. For instance, group printing materials like the printer, scratch paper, extra ink cartridges, and a ream of bond paper in one area. Store small items like paper clips, stapler and staple wire, pens, and markers in a compartmentalized tray on your desk.
SUBSCRIBE TO A PLAYLIST (OR TWO)
You’ll be surprised how music can help you get into work mode. Thanks to Spotify’s pre-selected playlists, you can listen to any tune to help you conquer that to-do list. Whether you’re into jazz, pop, hip-hop, classical, lo-fi, or just about any music genre, Spotify has you covered.
REWARD YOURSELF
You deserve some “me” time after replying to three dozen emails, attending to two Zoom meetings, and preparing a 20-page presentation (all these in between taking care of the family and running your household!). Pour yourself a glass of vino, indulge in a new Netflix series or revisit a favorite book, light a scented candle, and give yourself a pat on the back for a job well done.
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Let’s not forget that it's still the month of love. With this in mind, let’s dive into some ways we can add some romance into the bedroom. First off, keep in mind that fresh flowers are always a welcome addition. There is something about the presence of flowers that makes the environment that much more enticing and refreshing. Keeping a candle or two lit is a great idea as well. But let’s go even further.
Nowadays, aromatherapy is all the rage. But before we begin, what exactly is it? Aromatherapy is also known as Essential Oil therapy. It has both scientific and creative applications, and it involves using aromatic essences from plants as a process of natural extraction is applied to them. Aromatherapy is said to promote harmony, as well as the overall well-being of one’s mind, body, and spirit.
Here, we focus specifically on how aromatherapy can add romance to the bedroom. One type of essential oil that is popular for awakening romance is the exotic ylang-ylang. This alluring plant is considered an aphrodisiac. A distillation process is applied to its yellow flowers in order to obtain its scent that is altogether sweet, floral, and warm. Additionally, ylang-ylang supports the endocrine system.
Another essential oil that promotes intimacy is jasmine. It is known for enhancing one’s mood and libido. Some even claim that it provides a sense of euphoria. Of course, it’s important to be relaxed in the bedroom, and this is where patchouli essential oil can come in handy. It elevates one’s body temperature, and its scent is also very relaxing.
Last but not least, bergamot essential oil is recommended for lifting low spirits, promoting a sense of confidence, and for its calming and mood enhancing properties. It is also said to balance hormones. Throw in some cinnamon for good measure.
Apart from aromatherapy, crystals are another interesting, effective, and underrated option for adding romance to the bedroom. Rose quartz is an excellent example as it has the ability to comfort, calm, and soothe. It is known for being able to “gently heal”. Turquoise is recommended as well as it is able to cleanse, protect, and reduce stress significantly. A perfect choice to get in the mood for some romance. For stress relief at the end of a long day, look no further than howlite and red jasper.
Have you tried any of these, whether aromatherapy or crystals? Tell us about your experience, we would love to hear it!
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