5 Best Practices for Remote Workers

Remote work has numerous benefits. We can ditch the stressful commute, save on gas, and be there for our families. However, to thrive in your new work-from-home job, there are a few best practices you should implement. Below are a few essential tips to succeed as a remote worker.

1. Create a Dedicated Workspace

Whether you’re in a large house or a studio apartment, you need to carve out a dedicated space to do your work. While working from your bed or your couch may be tempting, it can wreak havoc on your work-life balance.

You need a dedicated space to separate work from home. A dedicated home office will help you maintain healthy boundaries and stay productive while working from home.

2. Move More

More than 80% of Americans aren’t getting enough exercise. In short, it’s statistically likely that that’s you. And if you’re not careful, working from home can cause you to move a lot less.

The consequences on our bodies are severe. A lack of movement leads to more neck and back pain. And it increases your risk for heart disease (the number one killer of Americans), cancer, and even Alzheimer’s disease.

However, if you’re someone who always hated gym class, don’t worry. You don’t have to run triathlons to get the exercise your body needs. According to the American Heart Association, adults need 30 minutes of exercise, five times per week. And you don’t have to get all 30 minutes done at once. You can spread it out throughout the day.

If you’re looking to increase your movement, here are a few ideas to try:

Dancing
Desk stretching
Gardening (yes, it’s exercise!)
Tennis
Walking your dog (exercise will help your best friend live longer too!)
Yoga

3. Set Boundaries

When you worked in an office, you stopped working when you walked out the door. However, when some people work from home, the lines between work and home become blurred for them. This becomes a recipe for burnout and even increased feelings of isolation.

To prevent this from happening to you, set clear work boundaries. Decide a time to clock out. For example, if you decide that you’re going to “clock out” at 6 p.m every day, turn off the computer, put it away (if it’s a laptop), and physically walk away. This will help you to transition from “work mode” to “home mode.”

4. Invest in Ergonomic Equipment

Simply grabbing a kitchen chair might be tempting when you start working from home. But pretty soon, poor equipment takes its toll. Your back aches, your neck hurts, and you can even develop carpal tunnel syndrome.

That’s why it’s critical to invest in ergonomic equipment. It’s not just a luxury; it’s vital for you to stay healthy and productive. Invest in a good-quality office chair and desk to get your work done. Search for sales on a wireless keyboard for writing all those memos and articles. You want to stay comfortable so you can focus on the task at hand.

5. Set Up Boredom Busters for Kids

Working from home with kids is no easy task. No one can realistically expect their child to stay quiet and out of the way for eight hours a day. You’re bound to have to deal with customers and children demanding your attention simultaneously. So, what can you do?

If your kid is younger and takes naps, seize the opportunity to get work done. You might want to create an activity box filled with books or quiet activities for your kids to do so you can focus on work. You’ll also want to work on teaching kids work boundaries (which is why it’s beneficial to have a dedicated work zone).

It’s also highly suggested that you obtain childcare, just as you would if you had an office job. It’s nearly impossible to be both a great parent and a great employee at the same time. Having help is also typically required by most employers.

Set Yourself Up for Remote Work Success

Working from home gives us the flexibility to make work fit our lives instead of the other way around. However, it’s easy to overwork yourself or increase feelings of burnout if you’re not careful. Following these tips can streamline your work-from-home experience and set you up for success.