Author: Mel Foster Co.

Many of us were thrust into working from home with little time to prepare an office space or think of how we’d even manage this new challenge. With a few days under our belts, some of the honeymoon stage and novelty has worn off. Now we’re struggling with new aches and pains from not having a proper desk and chair and falling behind on our work.

An expert with over 15 years of experience working from a home office shares her best tips to help you transition.

Keep to your regular morning routine and work schedule. No sleeping in. People are counting on you to be available. Be a team player.

Get dressed every day. Don’t just change into a clean pair of pajamas. A full suit isn’t necessary, but dressing for work tells your brain it’s time to work.

Make a desk. Even if it’s the kitchen table or the top of your dresser, you need a dedicated place. Even better if it’s a space with a door or an area where you can block out distractions. If you are working in the kitchen or a common area, put your work and laptop away each night to give you a mental and visual break from work. Try and keep work and home separate.

Take breaks to walk around. It’s easy for a few hours to slip by and realize you haven’t gotten out of your chair. In the office, you’re always getting up to grab something from the printer or chat with your co-workers.

Remember you are working. This is not the time to throw a quick load of laundry into the washer. Or the time to be checking Facebook constantly since nobody is really watching you. Treat your daytime working hours as work hours so you can stay focused and caught up with your work.

Stop at your normal quitting time. The work will be there tomorrow. Get outside. Play with your kids or pets. While you are on home quarantine, it’s vital to change up your scenery and step away from your new home office. It’s also helpful to announce to your family that you are “home from work” so everybody knows it’s family or personal time and no longer the workday.

Talk to somebody every day. If you’re working from home alone all day, or in separate quarters from your spouse, pick up the phone to hear another human’s voice. Don’t rely just on texting or email to communicate. Human interaction is so important, now more than ever.

With the spread of COVID-19 in full swing, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) has set some guidelines and tips for staying healthy during this pandemic. During this unpredictable outbreak, it is important that we follow these practices, not only to keep yourself healthy, but for the safety and health of others.

Understand How COVID-19 Spreads

• The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.
• There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus.
• The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person either between close contact of less than six feet or through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

Practice Social Distancing

• All non-essential workers should stay home. Talk to your employer about working remotely.
• Avoid close contact with others, especially those who are sick, keeping a distance of about six feet.
• Put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community. This is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.

Keep Your Hands Clean

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

Clean and Disinfect

• Wipe down frequently touched surfaces, including tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets and sinks, with EPA-registered household disinfectants.
• If surfaces are dirty, clean them with detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.

Cover Coughs and Sneezes

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.
• Remember to always throw used tissues in the trash.
• Immediately after coughing or sneezing, wash your hands with soap and water or clean your hands with a hand sanitizer.

If You Feel Sick…

• Stay home if you are sick, except to get medical care.
• Stay in touch with your doctor. Call ahead before you visit. They will advise you of whether or not to leave your home and get tested.
• For those who feel sick or who have been diagnosed with COVID-19, wear a facemask when and if you are around people and before you enter a healthcare provider’s office.
• Avoid public transportation, ride-sharing and taxis.
• If you live with family members or roommates, stay in a specific “sick room” and use a separate bathroom, if available.
• Avoid sharing household items with others, such as dishes, cups, utensils, towels and bedding.

Understanding how to care for yourself, and others, through this pandemic is extremely important. By following these health practices, you will significantly lessen your chance of getting coronavirus or spreading it to others, especially those with preexisting conditions and the elderly. Refer to the CDC for further information on how to stay healthy.

Source: CDC