Out of nowhere, it became the new normal. At first, everyone loved it. And then, the cracks began to show. Today, we’re talking about the effect that sustained home working has on our mental health. Umpteen case studies have shown that working from home can be very difficult for some people, and through today’s article, we’re going to take a look at some of the best ways you can keep on top of this.

Pyjama days need to be a thing of the past!

That’s right. It’s time to ditch the pyjamas. Granted, many of us couldn’t quite believe our luck during the early days when we rolled out of bed and straight to our desks. We couldn’t believe that we had devoted so much of our lives to commuting.

However, after a while, it became apparent that this wasn’t sustainable. We felt lazy, but we also began to feel as though we were living in some sort of limbo - were we at home or were we at work?

The key here is to establish a routine, and by getting dressed into some form of work clothes, you’re already on the right track.

Keep a strict schedule

When you’re at home, it’s very easy to become distracted. Whether it’s the washing up, the latest episode of your favourite show or even just a quick scroll through social media, there are a million and one things that can pull you away from your work.

This is why it’s so important to keep a strict schedule. Setting regular work hours tells your brain that it’s time to focus. Of course, this isn’t always possible, and some days you may need to be flexible, but it’s essential to try and stick to a routine as much as possible.

By doing this, you can reach the end of your working day and switch off properly.

Experiment working ”away from home”

We’ve all been there. You sit down at your desk, open up your laptop and… nothing. No matter how hard you try, the words just won’t come. If this sounds familiar, it might be time to experiment with working away from home.

Whether it’s a venue within Covent Garden, the local library or even just a different room in your house, sometimes a change of scenery is all you need to get those creative juices flowing.

Staring at the same four walls day in day out, particularly when you don’t have many meetings, is one of the quickest ways to activate burnout.

Get outside

If you’re no longer getting a commute to take you outside on your way to work, it’s so important to make a conscious effort to get out. Even if it’s just for a short walk around the block, this will help to clear your head. You’ll also get some much-needed Vitamin D.

Connect with your colleagues

Just because you’re not in the office doesn’t mean you can’t connect with your colleagues.

In fact, there are now more ways than ever to stay in touch, whether it’s via video call, instant messenger or even just a quick email.

By keeping up with your colleagues, you can help to create a sense of camaraderie and belonging, even if you’re miles apart.