Adjusting to #WFH (Working From Home)

When we used to think of the concept of working from home (#WFH), we used to associate it as an exciting occasional opportunity that allowed us to be comfortable and take a break from the chaos of the office. However, now with the threat of COVID-19, many are shifting to working from home for the foreseeable future, until the worse part of this pandemic passes. But this switch isn't as simple for everyone as it may seen, especially for those who have no prior experience with the new habits, workflows, and challenges it brings.  Adjusting to the work-from-home life and managing the anxieties begins with acknowledging the following: Being able to work from home is a privilege, especially during a time period where others are losing their jobs, but it comes with it's own set of hurdles. Communication with team members and managers often changes from being able to get quick or immediate answers to waiting for email or text replies. The workday itself blends in with the rest of the day, often making it difficult to keep a separation between work and personal time. On top of that, it takes a whole new level of self-discipline to stay on task when normal home duties and entertainment beckon us at every moment. Fortunately, this shift in work structure is likely temporary, and it will be uncomfortable, but it's a necessary hurdle that will also help ensure the safety of our coworkers and their families as we try to decrease the rate at which many are getting infected by COVID-19. This is important to internalize because reminding  ourselves of the purpose of this change can help make the challenges a little more bearable.
Ultimately, working from home will be different for every individual. For some it's easier than for others to deal with working in isolation, especially when even in our down time we don't have the luxury of getting out to clear our mind. Even without the isolation, there's the matter of staying productive that can be challenging depending on what the work consists of. Regardless of who is going through it, there are a few things that can help anyone adjust a little more easily.

• Environment - creating a space the resembles our work area outside the home, can help take us out of the mindset that we're at home
• Diminishing distractions - lots of us will have a tv or movie on in the background when we're home, but this also invites our eyes away from our work. Try switching the moving images out for background music on a radio or streaming service instead. If you have other family members at home, ask for their support in holding non-emergency questions to outside certain hours you establish. There are also tons of focus or mindfulness apps that can help make diminishing distractions easier. Do some research to find the ones that will work best for you.
• Working while also taking care of kids - if it's children you have at home, this can be the most challenging since they are used to coming to the adults in the home for all of their needs, both big and small. If you have older kids or other adults in the house, ask that they take on helping younger ones out as much as possible. Kids deal with schedules at school and other places, so don't be afraid to establish one with them. Let them know what times you will take breaks to walk away from work and attend to their needs and ask that they hold any questions or requests until those times. Since the work structure is shifting, have an open conversation with your manager and ask if you can adjust your workday to allow for more attention to the kids during the day and more work can be done during quieter hours in the evening or when you have more support. Also, and probably most importantly, remember that you don't have to have a perfect formula for this. Working from home takes adjustment from all parties involved, and some days will be better than others. Try not to stress out about it since the stress won't help make the situation any more manageable. If anything, it will probably just make it worse.  

For some, the biggest issue isn't necessarily working from home. Instead, it's actually not being able to leave the home that causes the greatest amount of stress. Here are some tips that might come in handy to make it manageable.

• Get your energy out - if you are normally an active person, you might have to find new ways of getting your energy out. Many are adjusting when they take their walks or runs to odd hours where they're less likely to come into contact with others. If that's not an option, this might be a great opportunity to try something new that can also be done at home. Things like meditation, yoga, at home workouts without equipment, or even just turning on music and dancing like a maniac around the house can be great outlets for getting some of that energy out.
• Nonphysical socializing - we're lucky to live in a day and age where we don't actually have to be in the physical presence of someone to socialize with them.  ​Facetime, Zoom, Skype, and Google Hangouts are just a few of the many digital ways we can still connect with others and foster important personal relationships. There are also many online services that allow you to play games with people who are anywhere in the country, let alone the same city. Check out services like jackbox.com to start getting some ideas.
  
• Hobbies, new and old - regardless of whether you enjoy art, music, crafting, gaming, or any other form of past-time, be intentional about using this time to enjoy your hobbies or pick up a new one you've never gotten around to. If you keep your mind entertained, it can make all of the alone-time pass with less anxiety and stress. 

Even with all of these suggestions, working from home will still be a challenge for many of us, but the important thing to remember is to not just check-in on others, but ourselves as well. Take some time to self-reflect on how you're feeling and what is really vital for your mental and emotional health and stability and don't be afraid to ask for help and support from others to get it. 

​If you have any other suggestions on how to deal with #wfh, please share them with others in the comments below!