Coronavirus: How to stay motivated and productive when working remotely

With many companies in the UK now encouraging their staff to work from home, and an ever- increasing likelihood of a lockdown to tackle the coronavirus pandemic, masses of employees will be working remotely.

Although to some working from home is a dream situation, it comes with its challenges, and one of the biggest is how to stay motivated when you’re working alone and remotely.

Jordan Baker, CEO of Sanity Marketing who has worked with over 650 clients from the House of Commons to the Crowne Plaza Hotel chain, has revealed five ways to stay motivated while working from home.

READ MORE: Five benefits of remote working

1. Set up a designated working spot

It’s easy when working from home to get comfortable wherever you please, whether it’s the sofa or your bed. But to increase productivity, it’s important to set up a home office or at least a set working desk to keep your mind work-focused and keep your work separate from other aspects of your home-life.

2. Create a good routine

With no set starting or finishing time or public transport to catch, it’s easy to work too many hours or perhaps not enough hours. Setting a strict start time to your day and setting an alarm means you will be in a structured routine. It’s also a good idea to have a dedicated finishing time so you don’t work too many hours.

3. Stay healthy

Particularly when working from home, it’s easy to fall victim to unhealthy snacking and sitting at your work desk for long periods of time. Ensure you take regular breaks and make healthy meals, and also incorporate exercise into your day, making sure you’re not spending long, intense hours completing your work without moving.

READ MORE: How to make a good impression if you work from home

3. Take breaks

When you’re wrapped up in completing your work, it’s easy to work all hours of the day without taking breaks. It’s important to enjoy regular breaks in order to refresh the mind, and these can be in short, sharp bursts throughout the day. It’s also important to stand up and move around to stretch your body out and be as comfortable as possible during your work.

5. Stay social

Working from home can be lonely. Schedule some video calls with colleagues and contacts throughout the day. Some home-workers even work in chat-rooms with colleagues on in the background for that truly “social” office feel.

Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK