Now that many of us are being confined to home – either working or because businesses are shut down for the duration. People are experiencing this new working environment for the first time.

If you’re working from home for the first time and need to know how best to organise your day … read a few tips for working from home here.

Many of us are already familiar with and adapted to working from home. If you’re new to all this, it can be challenging and isolating. Especially if you’re used to the buzz of a busy office, chats with colleagues around the coffee machine or across a partition.

Those working from home today are working under slightly different circumstances from ‘normal’ home workers. You do at least have social media and virtual apps to keep you in touch with colleagues, friends and family.

If you’re missing the office banter, coffee breaks or even a quick chat and a catch-up over a post-work drink, why not take it virtual.

Use FaceTime, Skype, WhatsApp (for free) and software such as Zoom or Google Hangouts. Hold either virtual meetings or just arrange an informal chat and a catch-up, either 1:1 or in a group.

• Set a regular time slot each day or once a week, for a virtual morning breakfast, coffee break or a post-work social.
• Use messaging apps so you can ‘chat’ and still feel connected but avoid adding another distraction to your day.
• Many off-line networking and business groups are going online to support businesses and remote workers using virtual meetings or messaging apps.
• Chat with friends and family you would usually see regularly.
• Share a meal time with family and friends.

Make the most of your time

Create a structure and routine to your day. The ‘holiday vibe’, will only last so long before the novelty wears off.

If you’re self-isolating and getting bored, think of those times you wished you weren’t working so you could …. read, write, spend time doing something else? Well, now you can.

Enjoy the extra time, without the daily commute and pressure of work, to do something you actually want to do.

Read a book! How many books do you have languishing on your bookcase or in a ‘ready to read’ pile? Do you have books you’ve wanted to read but never found the time? Now you do.

Create a reading habit – whether it’s in the morning, lunchtime or evening. Set aside an hour or two to just enjoy the simple pleasure of reading.

Audible are making many children’s books available for free, including many classics. Check them out here.

Learn a new language. Use an app like Duolingo and you can learn any number of languages. Pick one or two and spend an hour a day either learning the basics or brushing up your foreign language skills. Interact with other learners and natural language speakers around the world to improve the learning process.

Master a new skill. Whether it’s job related or purely for personal interest, here’s the perfect opportunity to use your time to improve your career and personal development.

Develop your skills or gain new knowledge, so when you’re back at work you’ll be better placed.

Find a course on FutureLearn, Udemy or the Open University. There are hundreds of low cost or free courses, lasting from a couple of days to a few weeks.

If you want to improve your time management and productivity skills over the next few weeks, take a look here.

Create a new habit …

Develop a daily yoga, meditation or exercise habit.

Download one of the many exercise apps to your smartphone, laptop or TV with routines that need little or no equipment. There’s no reason not to get or keep fit, even if you’re isolated indoors.

Go for a walk, run or cycle outdoors. Unless advice or restrictions dictate otherwise. Fresh air is important for your overall health and wellbeing. Open a window, go into the garden.

Take the 31 Day Habit Challenge to give you a structure to the next 31 days with added focus, motivation and support to make those habits stick.

Check out my Facebook page. I’ll be running live sessions to help you when working from home, answer your questions or just to give you support.

I’ve already heard from people who are appreciating the time they now have with their families. They’re recognising opportunities their time in isolation brings.

Make the most of having time for yourself. Do what you can to keep you and your loved ones safe and well over the next few weeks.