As the world of work has well and truly changed, more and more of us are continuing with working from home—sometimes voluntary, sometimes enforced, and sometimes a mix of both (hybrid working)
One thing that has always been clear since you-know-what changed the way we work, is that support and enthusiasm to keep everyone well and connected during times of uncertainty is absolutely essential.
A few years post pandemic organisations seem to be better at managing their remote teams and staying connected. But not everyone has cracked this code.
Connection, wellbeing, the right tools to do jobs effectively, feelings of isolation, are just some of the challenges to think about throughout times of change and while working from home.
So, in this blog, we’ll look at some tips with a key focus on wellbeing when it comes to working from home. And what’s even better is, we’ve taken some of these tips from out own people – so we know they help.
7 wellbeing tips for working from home
1. 🧘♀️Stretch and breathe.
Donna, Enterprise Sales Manager here at Hive, shared some of her favourite (tried & tested) yoga videos that can be used when we all need a good stretch and some time to breathe. From videos that can be followed straight from your desk, right up to longer videos to battle those aches and pains—yoga is great for helping our mind slow down and ease any anxieties.
2. ☕️ ‘Meet’ for a cuppa and chat.
Virtual cuppas have been doing the rounds at Hive, too, kick-started by our People Science team. Working from home, you might find yourself talking to people less regularly – but that doesn’t have to be the case. A quick video chat with friends, colleagues, family, clients, old acquaintances… you name it. Be social! Not every Zoom call has to be 100% business, 100% of the time. Video has long proved to be one of the most useful tools at our disposal for keeping engagement up and morale high.
3.🚶♂️Keep your commute going.
This one is from James, one of our UX Designers! James recommended taking a walk before and after work, aka ‘commuting’. It can be great for clearing your head and keeping the line between work and home as clear as possible, as well as getting some much needed movement and fresh air.
4. 🎙Listen to podcasts galore.
It can be difficult to stop focusing on the negative. Podcasts are great for providing a new perspective and allowing you to change your outlook. So, whether you listen to them for fun or for a self-help approach, take advantage of all the positive content out there!
Headspace has been recommended by a number of our Hive Heroes as a good resource for stress and mindfulness. Or, if you’re not one for podcasts, you can’t go wrong with a nice upbeat playlist to lighten your mood!
5. 👨💻Know when to stop.
Gareth, Lead Software Engineer at Hive, also shared some wellbeing tips about how he avoided burnout while working remotely.
Working from home, it’s all too easy to blur the line between work and home. “I’m almost finished, I’ll just keep going”, and before you know it it’s three hours later. Gareth started setting himself an achievable task list every morning so he knew when to switch off, rather than getting sucked into his screen and losing track of time.
6. 💻 Establish a dedicated working space.
Prioritising wellbeing while working from home begins with establishing a dedicated workspace. By designating a specific area in your home for work, you create a physical and mental boundary between your professional and personal life. (Similar to what Gareth mentioned earlier).
Having a dedicated workspace can help minimise distractions and interruptions, allowing you to maintain productivity and concentration throughout the day. Whether it’s a corner of your living room, a spare bedroom, or a converted closet, carving out a space solely for work can significantly contribute to your overall wellbeing while navigating remote work.
7. 💛Be kind and supportive.
Probably the best piece of advice so far, from our CEO John, is making sure that we all take the time to check in on each other regularly. To prevent feelings of isolation as best as possible, checking in on your peers, reaching out to see if anyone needs support with work, or even general aspects of life is a great way to show people they aren’t alone, despite not being in a full office.
Making employee wellbeing a priority
A big part of our wellbeing rests in the relationships that we build with other people – we seek community and a sense of belonging.
Staying connected when working from home is crucial to maintaining wellbeing. So whether that’s video chats with colleagues, or even just texting, we can apply the same wellbeing principles to our lives out of hours.
What that also means is that we’re all entitled to our own boundaries and tackling the situation in a way that works for us. So as we continue to navigate the world of work, whether that’s working from home 5 days a week, or just 2 days a week, the best thing we can do is to make sure we put wellbeing at the forefront of our day-to-day.
Ultimately, priority lies in looking after yourself and look after each other. 💛
Looking to make a real impact on the wellbeing of your people? Our wellbeing question set makes the perfect employee pulse survey, helping you keep an eye on your remote teams and implement wellbeing strategies that truly make a difference. Grab your copy now👇
