We have all had to adjust to a new normal lately, and for many of us, that means trying to do our job in our kitchen, bedroom garage, or for those lucky few, home office.

Yes, adapting to working from home isn’t always easy, but here are some of our top tips to make the most of it…

#1 Get dressed. Ok, so no one is likely to see you in your dressing gown, but getting dressed has the mental impact of making us feel ready to work. It creates a different mood from a lazy weekend. And, obviously, if you have online meetings and catch up plans, it’s absolutely vital (we have all seen that zoom meeting where a colleague decides to roll straight out of bed for the meeting – without any clothes, on and unaware he could be seen!)

 #2 Try and stick to your hours. If you are employed, you probably have set hours that you work. Try to stick to these to keep some sense of routine and be ready to start when you would normally be at the office. The same is to be said for finishing. At the end of your working day, try to turn off the computer and give yourself a proper break and switch off.

#3 Set up a dedicated space. If you don’t already have a home office, create one wherever it is best. Whether that’s your dressing table in your bedroom, laptop on the coffee table or out in the summerhouse, try and find somewhere where you won’t be too easily disturbed (but be realistic, you are now at home, likely with partners and kids, it’s not going to be the same as a day at the office).

 #4 Get outside. As long as you are not self-isolating, it is really important to get some time outside and away from your desk. Whether that’s a walk, a run or a bike ride is up to you, it’s great for your mental well-being.

#5 Take regular breaks. Screen breaks are just as important at home, don’t stay glued to your screen and chair, move around like you would at the office. Many home workers recommend the ‘Pomodoro Technique’ – a method of time management which breaks the working day into 25-minute chunks. Each chunk is then followed by a five-minute break.