Important tips if you have to work from home due to coronavirus

(Patria) - As the list of companies requiring employees to work from home to prevent the spread of coronavirus grows, you may be wondering how to stay sane if this happens to you. The coronavirus panic is stressful enough on its own, and the last thing you want to worry about is how to set up an internet call with your boss and whether your Wi-Fi can handle it.

But, unfortunately, the coronavirus epidemic shows no signs of slowing down, and you may soon find yourself in this situation. Working from home sounds great, but sometimes it's harder to do. Imagine situations where family members or friends interrupt or bother you every ten seconds. However, working from home has its advantages - you can work in sweatpants if you want, there's no commute, and sometimes you can be more focused and efficient.

C Net has published five important tips for those who want or have to work from home, while it is important to stay healthy and productive.

Avoid working from bed

It's not always easy to follow this rule. It sounds tempting, as soon as you open your eyes, grab a coffee and start writing your article immediately. But if you start working in bed, you'll probably fall asleep or have trouble waking up. Instead, get up and make your bed first, just like any other day. Avoid the urge to work in the bedroom, unless it's the only room where you have privacy and peace.

If you have to work from bed, do everything you can to create a sense of "going to work." This means changing, washing up, having coffee before work, whatever wakes you up, do that first. When you start working, sit down and avoid working in your bed if you are exhausted.

It's a good idea to treat your bedroom as a "sacred" space where you only sleep or relax. Once it becomes your office, it will be difficult to avoid constant thoughts about work. Try to set up a workspace in another room, even if it's the kitchen. If you have a large apartment, you might be able to work from a spare bedroom or home office.

Avoid working where you get distracted

One of the keys to successful work from home is pretending you're in the office. Would you hang laundry, watch TV, or wash dishes if you commuted to work? No, of course not. So don't work somewhere where you'll be tempted to do something else. This means not working with the TV on, and if dirty dishes are calling you, ignore them. Set your priorities before you start working and save time by leaving other activities for later.

Set boundaries with other people at home

Working from home with roommates, friends, or family can be a real challenge. If someone comes and sees you at the computer, they might not realize you're actually working. This is especially true if that person has never worked from home before; they will assume you can do whatever you want.

It is important to set boundaries for your household members that must not be crossed. Tell everyone present that you will be working during certain hours and that they should not disturb you unless it is urgent. Put a sign on the door, if necessary. You will be much more productive if you prevent anything that could distract you.

Take breaks

And no, scrolling through Instagram doesn't count as a break. You should take a break every 75 to 90 minutes, for about 15 minutes. Ideally, you shouldn't touch your phone or any screen during your break, and it should include spending time in fresh air. Walk, play with your pet, or talk to a friend. You'll find you're much more productive if you step away from your computer and desk periodically throughout the day.

Avoid complete social isolation

Working from home can be more productive when you're alone, but working in solitude all day also has its downsides. One of the biggest problems with working from home is the lack of socialization. As much as working in an office full of people can be problematic due to frequent interruptions or noise, having colleagues you enjoy working with is something special. Therefore, find time to connect with other people, if possible during, and especially after, working hours.