Working remotely has become the reality for many since the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether you are working as a telecommuter full-time or part-time, there is a particular routine that you have become bound to follow. However, there are a lot of misconceptions centered around working remotely.
Most people think days pan out as waking up late, spending excessive amounts of time in bed, and procrastinating work, but the work of employees operating remotely isn't all as unproductive and boring as most people deem it to be. While there are hindrances that are caused due to being unable to work in an office environment (either because of circumstances or choice), telecommuting has its upsides as well.
The ideal routine of a telecommuter
An ideal day can be productive and fun. If you are confused about forming an ideal routine, you can take inspiration from the routine explained below and try to incorporate it into your daily life.
8:00 AM
Wake up and take a good ol' shower. Then, change into some clothes that will make you feel good about yourself and motivate you to get started on work; this can range from business casual or formal attire—wearing something other than your PJ's can push you out of that comfort zone and bring you into that working headspace. Next, you can choose to meditate for 5-10 minutes to reflect on your thoughts and get some clarity.
8:30 AM
Prepare a nutritious meal that will keep you energized throughout the day. Having a healthy meal such as oatmeal with fruits will ensure that you are fully satiated and enlivened. A bonus tip is to incorporate some dates in your breakfast to stimulate your brain health and increase your productivity throughout the day. Then brew a robust cup of coffee and get working.
9:00-11:00 PM
Schedule meetings early in the morning rather than delaying them for the afternoon to help retain focus and concentration. Making a to-do list for the tasks you have to execute throughout the day can also serve to be very beneficial as it will provide you a guideline of the tasks you have to achieve and provide you direction.
12:30- 4:00 PM
You can either fetch a snack from your local vicinity or prepare one yourself to satisfy your food cravings. Make sure to stay hydrated and keep a water bottle beside you while working. Dehydration can have an impact on the structure and function of the brain. It's also involved in hormone and neurotransmitter release. Staying dehydrated for an extended period of time might cause problems with cognition and thinking.
4:00 PM
Take a break from work by either napping for some duration of time. Other recommended methods of taking a breather during the day are watching an enjoyable tv show/movie or reading a good book.
5:00-6:30 PM
Catch up on your remaining work. Browse through emails and schedule top priority work-related tasks you have yet to complete. Once you are done with that, you can bid farewell to your work and enjoy the rest of the day by yourself.
6:30-8:30 PM
You can plan to invite friends and family over for dinner and have quality time with them, and relax away.