Creating boundaries between work and personal life has become even more important since the move towards remote and hybrid working. A commute to work provides routine, structure and an opportunity to prepare for the day ahead. The commute home is a natural wind down from the pressures of work, leading us into home life. Whilst working from home has many advantages, it is easy to lose the routine and rhythm of the working day as well as the natural transition periods between work and home.
The aim of this article is to provide some ideas to help you create structure to your working day.
Morning routine
It is important to have a routine in the morning which helps prepare you for the day ahead. By doing the same things everyday, in the lead up to starting work, you are more likely to feel ready and motivated to get started.
Firstly, try to get up at the same time everyday through the week.
Secondly, be as consistent as possible with your routine, which may include some or all of the following:-
Getting washed and dressed.
Preparing children for their day/dropping them off at school.
Having breakfast.
Meditation, going for a walk or run, yoga.
Through your working day
Regular breaks
Your body is not designed to sit in one position for hours. Aim to get up at least every hour, walk around and loosen your joints and muscles. Find little joys in your day which you can enjoy for a few minutes as you take a break. I call these ‘simple joys’ and they include stroking a pet, watering plants, flicking through a magazine. Anything that gives you joy which you can do in a few minutes and which doesn’t cause harm!
Stop for lunch
Allow yourself time away from your desk to eat your lunch. Be mindful as you eat and if it’s sunny, perhaps sit outside.
Keep hydrated
Drink plenty of clear fluids.
The end of your working day: Debrief Session
I’ve created the concept of a ‘debrief session’ as a way of having a natural end to your working day. Decide what time you want to finish work and add on an extra half-hour, as your ‘debrief session’. During this time:-
- Reflect on what has gone well in your day and allow yourself to feel good. It might include getting something done which you have been putting off, onboarding a new client, giving a presentation, achieving a target etc. However, it doesn’t need to be big. It might just be a lovely chat with someone, a positive comment, an opportunity to sit outside in the sun!
- Allow yourself time to think about anything that came up during the day which requires a bit of thought. Perhaps a comment from someone, discussion in a meeting, a job that needs doing.
- Finally, make a list of outstanding tasks and allocate them, either to jobs for the next day or to appropriate slots in your diary. Have a plan for your next working day before you leave your desk.
Once you have completed your ‘debrief session’, it is officially the end of your working day. Shut down your computer, clear your things away if you’re working in a living space; shut the door of your study if you have one.
Now it’s time for the rest of your day! Ensure you do at least one thing just for you, which you enjoy.
Thoughts of work may pop into your head. Don’t ruminate, take action! If you remember something that needs doing, which you’d previously forgotten, email it to yourself or add it to your ‘to do’ list for the next day. If it’s just mulling about work, create a catchphrase to help you stop. ‘Let it go!’ ‘Stop’. Whatever works for you. Then find something to do which will occupy your mind and free it of work. Make your down time count.
By creating structure to your day, when you are working from home, you will find it easier to get down to work. In addition, having time to enjoy at the end of your day will help you sleep better and generally improve your wellbeing.
If you are feeling overwhelmed by life and feel out of control, I can help you. Please get in touch and we can have a chat.