Published by Trustmark on March 19th, 2020
If you weren’t familiar with the abbreviation for working from home (WFH) I bet you are now. An unprecedented number of people are currently working from home, learning to adjust quickly to a new routine, all in the face of the uncertainly caused by the COVID-19 outbreak. Employees throughout Trustmark find themselves in the same situation. Included below are some WFH tips we’ve developed in close partnership with our colleagues at HealthFitness, a Trustmark company, that we’re sharing with associates to ensure they’re focusing on not just their physical, but emotional and social wellbeing.
Have a Plan but Also Be Flexible
Plan and structure your day like you would if you were in the office (e.g., plan regular hours and stick to your schedule as much as possible). Create a routine that works for you but know that flexibility, patience and good humor will be needed especially if you have children at home. For example, if you typically start your day with dressing professionally and making yourself a cup of coffee or tea to help you focus, stick with it! At the same time, be flexible, if necessary, to help accommodate team members who may have special challenges working from home and might need to work a different schedule. Work out with your manager how teammates can cover for each other.
Share and Share Alike to Stay Connected
Communicate your planned schedule with your team – and be available by telephone and email during scheduled hours. In addition to scheduled 1-on-1s, team and other meetings, make a practice of checking in with your team on a daily basis. This can be done via Teams, Outlook, conferencing tools like WebEx or phone calls; whatever makes the most sense for your company.
Remain Focused
Create a home workspace that meets your needs. A separate room that limits distractions is great, but may not be an option for everyone. Once you’ve chosen a space, stock the space with the tools/materials you need and anything else that will help you focus (such as music for background noise, if you prefer). Set appropriate boundaries. If there are family members around, set expectations for how they can interact with you during working hours, but again, be prepared to adjust as necessary And, speaking of working hours, turn your computer off at the end of the day and walk away from it! You’ll be more focused and less stressed the next day.
Embrace the Right Kind of Distractions
While avoiding “time suck” distractions like social media and television, make sure you take breaks from your work area throughout the day. Stand up from your work area, stretch, go for a walk outside, get a glass of water, etc.
Stay Active
Look for simple ways to keep moving, even if your gym or fitness center is closed. Try on-demand exercise class options (such as WellBeats, if available) or try an exercise video, or go old-school by dusting off a DVD. Utilize any fitness equipment you might have in your home, such as hand weights or resistance bands. Take a break from sitting and get moving or create active games with kids. Weather and location permitting, go outside and take a walk, ride a bike, or go for a jog/run. The American Council on Exercise offers an exercise library. Be sure to choose exercises that are safe for your individual needs.
Get Enough Sleep
Ensure you practice good sleep hygiene. Turn off electronics at least 30 minutes before bedtime and, as hard as this might be given the current situation, reduce exposure to things that may be causing stress, such as news overload. Instead, read a book, listen to relaxing music or try meditation. For more information and resources, visit the National Sleep Foundation.
Be well and stay safe.
Have a Plan but Also Be Flexible
Plan and structure your day like you would if you were in the office (e.g., plan regular hours and stick to your schedule as much as possible). Create a routine that works for you but know that flexibility, patience and good humor will be needed especially if you have children at home. For example, if you typically start your day with dressing professionally and making yourself a cup of coffee or tea to help you focus, stick with it! At the same time, be flexible, if necessary, to help accommodate team members who may have special challenges working from home and might need to work a different schedule. Work out with your manager how teammates can cover for each other.
Share and Share Alike to Stay Connected
Communicate your planned schedule with your team – and be available by telephone and email during scheduled hours. In addition to scheduled 1-on-1s, team and other meetings, make a practice of checking in with your team on a daily basis. This can be done via Teams, Outlook, conferencing tools like WebEx or phone calls; whatever makes the most sense for your company.
Remain Focused
Create a home workspace that meets your needs. A separate room that limits distractions is great, but may not be an option for everyone. Once you’ve chosen a space, stock the space with the tools/materials you need and anything else that will help you focus (such as music for background noise, if you prefer). Set appropriate boundaries. If there are family members around, set expectations for how they can interact with you during working hours, but again, be prepared to adjust as necessary And, speaking of working hours, turn your computer off at the end of the day and walk away from it! You’ll be more focused and less stressed the next day.
Embrace the Right Kind of Distractions
While avoiding “time suck” distractions like social media and television, make sure you take breaks from your work area throughout the day. Stand up from your work area, stretch, go for a walk outside, get a glass of water, etc.
Stay Active
Look for simple ways to keep moving, even if your gym or fitness center is closed. Try on-demand exercise class options (such as WellBeats, if available) or try an exercise video, or go old-school by dusting off a DVD. Utilize any fitness equipment you might have in your home, such as hand weights or resistance bands. Take a break from sitting and get moving or create active games with kids. Weather and location permitting, go outside and take a walk, ride a bike, or go for a jog/run. The American Council on Exercise offers an exercise library. Be sure to choose exercises that are safe for your individual needs.
Get Enough Sleep
Ensure you practice good sleep hygiene. Turn off electronics at least 30 minutes before bedtime and, as hard as this might be given the current situation, reduce exposure to things that may be causing stress, such as news overload. Instead, read a book, listen to relaxing music or try meditation. For more information and resources, visit the National Sleep Foundation.
Be well and stay safe.
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Written by Trustmark
We use our specialized expertise to help organizations solve their employee benefit challenges so people and businesses can thrive. Trustmark – benefits beyond benefits.
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