Working from home is becoming increasingly popular, especially since the lockdown. More people are home working, avoiding the travel expenses and wear & tear of commuting. Savings on travel, work wear and food-to-go offset home energy costs. Later starts and earlier finishes mean more leisure time with family and friends. But home working also presents challenges! Feeling isolated, not having the heating on, sitting in front of the computer screen all day – these and other issues can cause lethargy and a loss of concentration. So how can you help yourself to feel more encouraged and efficient – and enjoy working from home – in just 5 minutes?
Take a 5-minute walk away from your office or studio. If this can be outside, all the better. It’s excellent for your eyesight to be in daylight, focussing on longer distances. And 5 minutes of the open air is invigorating.
Use 5 minutes to drink a glass of fresh water. Choose a glass that feels special and try to stand up while drinking.
Spend 5 minutes liking and following Instagram accounts. Encouraging others can also make us feel better ourselves.
For 5 minutes, make a quick list of any outstanding tasks that are a concern. Writing a job down feels like the first step to tackling it.
Give 5 minutes’ thought to your two most important goals for the day – one for morning and one for afternoon. Note them down and cross them off when you’ve done them – or partly done them! Even if other tasks for the day haven’t been done, those two completed goals will give you satisfaction and hope for the next day.
Move away from your office or studio and read an encouraging book/blog/email for 5 minutes.
Set aside 5 minutes to tidy your workspace. Collect up recycling, bin any rubbish, and make up a small bag of items for the charity shop.
Put a jacket potato in the oven for your lunch later on! Or use 5 minutes to make a healthy sandwich for your tea break.
For just 5 minutes, do one or two light exercises, such as running on the spot, some pilates movements, or gentle aerobics (see Rosemary Conley’s suggested 4 minute workouts!).
Take 5 minutes to fill a small cup with garden leaves and flowers – even dandelions and daisies – for your studio space. Looking at nature is always refreshing.
Light a fragrance candle for 5 minutes: “perfume to gladden the heart…”!
Have a 5 minute look at some of your successes in life or work. Read your positive feedback, revisit your best output, smile at photos of your friends and loved ones, or re-read a helpful letter/email.
Any one of these 5-minute fixes will introduce a note of variety, competence and refreshment to help you enjoy working from home. If any of them have worked for you, we’d love to hear about it!