After working from home 3 days a week for 2 years you would think I would find it easy... here are a few tips that have kept me going: A short thread

1. Keep a routine. Set your alarm as normal. Have a shower, breakfast, read. Just like you would if you needed to get the train to work. This helps to prepare your mind for work.

2. Take regular breaks. When you’re in the office you don’t sit at ur desk for hours on end without talking to people, reaching for snacks, going toilet or drinking water. Focus for 1 hr then take 10 mins to get a drink or snack or fresh air. Don’t forget your lunch hr too!

3. Try and create a dedicated workspace. Train your mind to associate work with that area so you can relax when you’re away from there. I’ve imitated my office set up with a height adjustable desk & 2 screens. links and stuff are here:

4. Buddy up, you have a work pal who you chat to about sports and topical things, Call them. You don’t have to talk all the time but you’re working from home. Not working alone.

5. Keep your work area tidy. After you have your snack, throw the paper in the bin. Wipe down the dust off your desk. Clear up! A clear workspace = a clear mind.

6. Avoid distractions, some people can work with music or the TV on. Be honest with yourself. If that ain’t you then don’t put it on. Save those things for your breaks and relax time. Nothing worse than spending a whole day fooling yourself that you’ve been working

7. Write your main task down and check emails infrequently. I check my emails twice a day, at 11am and 3pm. If you get lots of emails everyday you can easily get drawn into replying to them for hours and then you don’t actually get your main task done.

8. Don’t work from your bed. Reserve it as a special place for sleeping/chilling. See point 5 for where you *should* work

9. Don’t text your ex. Now you have a lot of free time, your mind can wonder “what if” ....bro, leave it. Your ex don’t want you, and deep down you know you don’t want them either. Don’t get lost in the matrix.

10. It’s okay to be sad but recognise when it’s becoming overwhelming. Speak to friends or family about how you’re feeling and if you need professional help here are some useful links:

Action to Prevent suicide: https://actiontopreventsuicide.org/ 

Anxiety UK: https://www.anxietyuk.org.uk/ 

Cont. Samaritans: https://www.samaritans.org/ 

Time to Change: https://www.time-to-change.org.uk/wha ...

Mind: https://www.mind.org.uk/ 

11. Subscribe to my Adulting YouTube page where I talk about building your credit score, getting a mortgage, and doing other adult things. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP1NrVJS28Bprq596QWJgug