Thriving while working remotely

Theresa Santoro, Director of Operations & Human Resources, Actualize Consulting

​Remote working is now an essential part of doing business, and many companies are seeing that it can be a productive and viable option. According to an SHRM survey, 71% of employers are adjusting to remote work. A Flex Jobs survey states 66% of employees would prefer to continue working remotely full time, and 33% are hoping for an in-office and remote working combination. We at Actualize Consulting recognize the difficulty of adjusting to less face-face interaction and the importance of wellness. As part of our wellness focus, we share tips for staying healthy both physically and emotionally while working from home. 

Here are some of the tips we have shared:

• Cut yourself some slack - Working from home can be a big transition and NOT EASY for everyone. Let's all take our right hands, reach over our left shoulders, and give ourselves a BIG pat... we are doing a great job, and that should be acknowledged!
• Protect your time - One of the most difficult things about working at home is knowing when and HOW to shut it off. There's no "commute home" or "office is closed" sign...so protect your time and know that it is ok to call it a day for yourself when needed. Truly, it's hard, but it's ok. I unplug like it's "nobody's business" on most weekends...you can too!
• Protect your workspace - Set boundaries for when you need to be laser-focused. That means family, roommates, and even pets. Use a "Do Not Disturb!" sign taped to the door if you have to!
• Maintain a daily agenda - One thing I have been doing to help stay on track is to have my daily agenda emailed to myself every morning, so my entire workday items, tasks, interviews, etc. are in one email first thing in the morning for me to review, allowing me to begin planning my day immediately.  
• Pay attention to ergonomics - Get a comfortable chair, pop in your earbuds for long calls, and walk around...MOVE! Sitting endlessly in an uncomfortable chair is not a sustainable situation, and self-care is essential to your body.
• Sleep - Maintain the pattern that works for you, still get up on time, and go to bed at an hour where you know you will feel well-rested and ready for the next day. 
• Daily Routine - take a shower, comb your hair, even put shoes on. There's a perception that working from home is a pajama fest, but the simple act of getting ready in the morning is a vital part of self-care and can help you transition into your workday a lot easier.
• Give Me a Break - Build break time into your day; get up, take a walk, stretch, breathe, exercise, meditate, whatever you want to do on your break...just take one! 
  
• Eat for REAL - Stop the snacking and make a real lunch for yourself. Expand your palate by adding in some immune system boosting herbs like turmeric and ginger for an added boost of self-love, and always remember to hydrate!
  

Less face-to-face interaction is taking a toll on people both physically, mentally, and emotionally. Reach out to your team, manager, or HR department and let them know how you are feeling. Find ways to manage stress and achieve life balance. Read 3 Ways to Manage Stress written by our COO Kerry Wekelo.

About Actualize Consulting: Our advisors assess the current state of your financial functions and provide future state transformation. Our strength is our global experience, execution, modernization, and dedication to your success story. If you are interested in joining our team, please visit our careers page.