The current crisis has businesses globally urging, and in many cases mandating, that employees work from home. Manage social distance If you’re new to working remotely 100% of the time, this could be a significant adjustment. You may not have been prepared to turn your living space into your workspace for the foreseeable future. Suddenly that spare bedroom, dining room, kitchen, or closet has turned into a home office.  If you enjoyed having daily social interaction with co-workers, feelings of isolation, and loneliness could set in.

Here are some tips for working remotely that will make your experience less stressful and more productive.

Designate a workspace.

It is easier to stay mentally focused if you designate a specific area in your home to get work done. That could be a home office, spare bedroom, or some other dedicated area that offers privacy. If you can find a spot that provides a lot of natural light, even better. Also, if you will be making video calls while working remotely, make sure you have a background that you won’t mind having others see.

Avoid feeling isolated.

Still, even with these tools, the enforced and abrupt nature of the transition from an office to a home environment could leave some struggling to get accustomed to the change Make sure you have the right equipment at home so you can be efficient and productive. This includes things like a computer and high-speed Internet connection that can support video conferencing, a desk, an ergonomic chair, office supplies, and a desk lamp. Make your workspace as comfortable as possible.

Maintain a consistent routine.

Your children aren’t the only ones that thrive on structure. Set a work schedule for yourself and stick to it. Try to wake up at the same time every day and treat weekdays just as you did before. For most people, the morning is the time to get serious work done, so try to complete many difficult tasks as early in the day as you can.

 Stay connected with colleagues.

Online tools like Slack not only help workflow but can also serve as social outlets. It’s even better to speak to another human being, so make some phone calls to check in with people. Teleconferences add another sensory element to your interactions. Experts say video conferencing while working from home helps fight isolation while enhancing team unity and productivity. Digital channels have already made it easy to connect and communicate.

 Have a comfortable and healthy workspace setup.

When working outside the office, basic health and safety measures that we are accustomed to can fall by the wayside. To ease eye strain, minimize glare on your laptop and make sure you have good lighting. Sit at a proper distance from your screen, about an arm’s distance. Ideally, you should position your computer screen so windows are to the side instead of in front or behind.

Take regular short brakes.

If you are working on a lengthy task, take regular breaks to stretch your legs. Being super productive for a long period is difficult, so make sure you take short, regular breaks to re-energize. Breathe, grab a cup of tea, go for a short walk, or do something else relaxing and not work-related, and your brain will thank you for it later.

Make time for physical and creative activities.

If it’s possible and you can maintain a safe distance from others, try to get outside for some fresh air when you can. Other activities that are enjoyable and don’t require personal interaction.

Take care of your self.

As an individual, you can lower your risk of infection by reducing your rate of contact with other people. Avoiding public spaces and unnecessary social gatherings, especially events with large numbers of people or crowds. Drink plenty of Water, Lemonade-Green-Tea in replacement of Tea/Coffee for safety and health.

Don’t Get Too Sucked in by the News—or Anything Else.

Distraction is one of the big challenges facing people who work from home—especially people who aren’t used to it. Your home is right in front of you. That means that whatever you’re usually thinking about getting home to after work is now with you. It’s human to get distracted. But you need to be wary of how much you let yourself get distracted. Safety First!