“Being a freelancer,” Laura explains, “I spend a significant part of my job at home in front of the computer. Now with the coronavirus, it’s really all I can do, so these are my survival tips”.
GET DRESSED
It might be tempting to roll out of bed and sit down to the computer still in your pyjamas, but Laura advises against it. “You can be a bit more casual than in the office,” she says, “but I really advise putting on your regular day clothes”. This can also include make-up or jewellery, just something to make you feel like you’re going to work.
WORK AREA, BREAK AREA
It’s important to dedicate a space in your house or apartment which is just for working, and another just for relaxation. “I have my desk and laptop, and all my necessary equipment there,” says Laura, “and that’s where I work. And I relax from another place. If you try to work on your sofa, it’s just not going to be as efficient”. A work area tells your brain that this is the office, and allows you to disassociate it with the rest of the home around you. Likewise, having a space just for rest and relaxation allows you to “come home from work” at the end of the day.
CREATE A WORK SCHEDULE
When we’re used to working in the office each day, suddenly doing it all from home can feel like there’s a lack of structure. Create the structure yourself, by drawing up a quick schedule each day for the tasks you want to accomplish. Include lunch breaks, down-time, and even after-work activities if you’re struggling to think of things to do.
INTERSPERSE WORK WITH BREAKS
“I work at least an hour at first,” says Laura, “just to get in the flow, to get the feel that the job is getting done. But I never work longer than two hours without a little break”. She adds that in a quarantine situation, with little else to do, it’s easy to just keep working. “I feel useless otherwise,” she admits. “But I try to tell myself not to do this.”
THE BREAK
A break should be 10-15 minutes. Take this time to call your family, your friends, interact socially, do some stretches. When it comes to the lunch break, “I take an hour,” says Laura. “I eat, have a coffee, walk my dog and then take a nap. I think naps are the best invention ever.” But Laura adheres to the Spanish siesta – no more than 20 minutes, just a quick afternoon shut-eye to rejuvenate. “Then I go back to work,” she says.
THE PHONE
“I put the phone away,” says Laura. “Yes, the internet is there, you can access Facebook, but when you’re working, you’re working. Especially with all the news about coronavirus, it can be a toxic place. So take a break from social media. Check the news on your break.”
MEDITATION, SPIRITUAL AND RELIGIOUS VIDEOS
Activities like meditation or yoga can be done from your living room, via online videos, and are a great way to spend the time which would normally be dedicated to your commute. “If someone is spiritual or religious,” says Laura, “there are many lectures and videos. And if you’re feeling anxious about the coronavirus, some psychologists are offering consultations online, even for free”.
STAY HYDRATED, GET EXERCISE
“Drink enough water, and move around,” says Laura. You’ll be spending a lot more time sitting, and it’s easy to stop taking care of yourself. Make sure to stay hydrated, eat fresh fruit if you can and get up periodically to stretch your legs.
FEELING USEFUL
Being in the house all day every day can start to feel like a loss of time. In this, Laura stresses that it’s important to do other activities to remain feeling useful. “I like to keep up with housework,” she says. “I work for an hour, then I do something practical, like washing the dishes. At the same time I put on an episode of Friends, so I can watch a series I really like, and do something productive.”
With all the extra indoor time afforded to us by self-quarantine, it’s also a good opportunity to do the tasks we’ve been putting off. “For example, today I’m going to wash my curtains,” says Laura. “My mum is always nagging me about them, and now I have the extra time!”
ENJOY A HOBBY
Once work is over, and you’ve moved away from your designated work area, what to do now? “Now is the time to read!” says Laura. “I have so many books piled up. Assign yourself sessions to read a chapter, or go through your winter clothes and pull out things you don’t wear any more to donate.”
What other hobbies have you been neglecting? Painting, yoga, writing poetry? Now is the time!
