The phrase working from home strikes a new chord these days. As the days of making laps around the office and bumping into a co-worker on the way to the bathroom are behind us, many people have had to navigate a new normal. As a business that began during the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, working from home has always been our normal, so we are sharing some of our WFH tips and tricks to inspire those who struggle with working from home and long for the return to the office. From favorite products to quick and easy recipes, to productivity hacks, we are here to share it all!
Products
Blue Light Glasses: As screens have become increasingly present in our daily activity, we have had to become aware of the effects of screen time. As experts have suggested that blue light exposure can damage eyesight and impair vision, we have found blue light glasses to be a must! We recommend this pair from Quay as they are moderately priced with a simple design and blue light filtering lenses.
Laptop Stand: As many of us are sitting in front of computers for hours throughout the day, we’ve had to adapt to various work stations within our homes. A laptop stand firmly holds your computer at eye level which eliminates hunching and added stress on your neck and shoulders. This trusty laptop stand from Amazon has a super sleek design and is sure to help improve posture.
Cleaning Gel: Cleaning gel comes in the form of a sticky putty that can mold to your keyboard to collect dust and pesky particles. This makes it super easy to clean your keyboard while also giving you something to fidget with if you get antsy or restless while sitting in front of your computer. We recommend this cleaning gel from Amazon.
Migraine Stick: Staring at screens all day while drinking 3 cups of coffee screams headache. We have found this aromatherapy roll-on essential oil to help with reducing overall stress and lessening headaches. With scents of lavender, lemon and peppermint, all you have to do is apply the roller across your forehead and on your temples when you feel a headache coming on and let the essential oils melt it away!
Cord Organizer: As each device that we use seems to need its own cord, your work space can quickly become overwhelmed and messy with cords everywhere. So, we recommend using cord organizers on your desk. These simple and sleek individual cord organizers from The Container Store allow you to keep your cords out of the way while placing them each in a spot that is best suited for you.
Candles & Diffusers: Working from home has given us the opportunity to mold our workspace into what we need it to be. Lighting candles in the office is no longer frowned upon so we’ve really capitalized on this opportunity! The candle and diffuser company Sand + Fog sells very aesthetic and long lasting candles at a very affordable price. You can find them at a number of retail locations including HomeGoods, Bed Bath & Beyond, as well as through their online store. online store
Pet Toys: Working from home with pets can be a blessing and a curse. Taking a break to play with your pet can be a great change of pace, but having them paw at you for 20 minutes during a Zoom meeting is less than ideal. For pups, we recommend this intricate multi level puzzle, that holds treats and will mentally tire your pup out. For cats, we recommend this automatic loco motion cat toy, that operates by itself and is sure to keep your cat entertained.
Productivity Tips
Use the Pomodoro technique: One of our favorite productivity hacks has been using a block timer, as suggested by the Pomodoro technique. As the timer is pre-programmed with specific time increments, it has been super helpful in blocking out time to work and time to take breaks. We recommend using the 30/5 rule, so you work for 30 minutes, followed by a 5 minute break and repeat the process throughout the day. This block timer from Amazon is super simple and has numerous time increments.
Time batch & batch similar tasks: Time batching is the method of allotting specific amounts of time to complete either a single, or similar tasks. As multitasking has been suggested to lower productivity and mental clarity, time batching allows you to put all focus on completing one task, as you are likely to complete it more efficiently and thoroughly. By batching together similar tasks, for example answering emails and engaging on social media, you will stay more productive as these tasks require similar needs so your strategy and frame of mind stay aligned with your tasks. Some examples of time batching may include:
allotting 3x 30 minute periods throughout the work day to ONLY answer emails
scheduling all meetings and phone calls for a specific day
allotting 2 hours of each work day to complete community engagement
Your calendar is your best friend: Using google calendar to schedule all of your tasks for the day and allotting a specific amount of time to each task has been super helpful. We recommend these 4 tips when scheduling in Google calendar.
Enable the Google calendar feature that will notify you when the allotted time for a task has ended and that it is time to switch tasks.
Schedule in micro tasks, such as time needed for driving or time to shower
When scheduling your day included 5-10 minute slots of “free time” for you to take a quick break, grab some water or handle an unexpected task that wasn’t planned for.
At the end of every work day, take a quick peek at the next day's schedule to know what you will have to be prepared for.
Include non-negotiables: Include non-negotiable tasks in your daily schedule, as these are high-priority tasks that have to be completed within the day. By listing out these high priority items you are able to allot appropriate time and energy into completing them and focus your energy on what is most important. You can also include non-negotiable tasks that fall outside of work priorities, such as working out. By recognizing the importance of working out, you can make the commitment to it and can schedule your time accordingly so that the task becomes attainable.
Easy Lunches
Anything on Toast: Slapping together a new concoction of random foods on toast has been a quick yet satisfying option when you are short on time or simply not in the mood. Some of our favorite topping combinations have been:
Nut butter with bananas, blueberries, sunflower seeds & cinnamon
Avocado and goat cheese with arugula and a fried egg, topped with red pepper flakes
Avocado and hummus with shredded carrots, cherry tomatoes and a squeeze of lemon juice
Rotisserie Chicken: Rotisserie chicken is a great source of protein that will keep you full, save you time and can be paired with almost anything. We’ve also experimented with making it into a quick chicken salad that can be paired with crackers, made into a sandwich or as a topping on rice cakes. You’ll need:
1 cup of shredded rotisserie chicken
½ of an avocado
1 tablespoon of mayo or plain greek yogurt
Dash of garlic powder, salt & pepper
Mix it all together and enjoy!
Roasted Chickpeas: Roasted chickpeas have been a super easy and delicious go-to snack these days. All you’ll need to do is set your oven to 350°, drain a can of chickpeas and dump them onto a baking sheet. Sprinkle them with any seasons you’d like! We recommend salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika and adobo. Give them a quick mix and pop them in the oven for 45 minutes! Total prep time takes about 5 minutes and they make a perfect crunchy snack. Enjoy!
As COVID-19 has changed the pace of daily life, working from home has become a new normal. We hope our tips & tricks can help you to continue to navigate the experience and all that it has to offer.
