These past weeks have become anxiety-inducing times. Due to the spread of the COVID-19 virus, we would never know when this pandemic will end. Our freedom and livelihoods are at stake, but we have to stay at home and keep ourselves healthy and safe. You also have to postpone your appointment for a keratin treatment by a hairstylist.

There is no denying of the fact of how this pandemic has changed our lives drastically. Even going to our favorite hair salons is forbidden for now due to the social distancing policy. Your dream Balayage hair highlights or Brazilian keratin straightening would have to wait for now.

Working at home: The good

Offices and other major establishments have to close down due to COVID-19. On the other hand, a lot of companies opted for a work-at-home setting for their employees.

Being a work-at-home employee at this time can have pros and cons. Seasoned home-based workers already know these all too well. But for the sake of first-timers, there are things you need to know about working at home.

On the one hand, it saves you time from preparing for work – from choosing your outfit, preparing breakfast, and so on. You also save time from commutes and dealing with annoying co-workers.

You get to work in your pajamas and work in your own time (unless you have an agreed work schedule with your employer). You won’t have to be embarrassed looking good all the time because you haven’t gone to a keratin treatment salon or wore makeup for a long time.

Working at home: The bad

On the downside, working at home can be isolating. You have no workmates to mingle and socialize with. Being a remote worker may not be for all especially if you are a naturally sociable person. There will also be distractions at home: your pets, your children, social media, and even your refrigerator.

It can be twice as challenging if you are a work-at-home parent. Your time will be divided between actual work, household chores, and taking care of your entire household.

Communication can be an issue as you have to do it through emails and messaging apps instead of face-to-face interactions. Your productivity levels can be affected as well when working at home. These are some of the pros and cons of working at home.

How to make the most out of your work-at-home life

Some jobs can be done at homes such as content writing, cold calling, or graphic designing. Those working in food production, hair straightening salons, and retail stores cannot work at home.

Still, there are ways you can be productive while working at home. Also, working at home doesn’t mean you cannot look and feel glam anymore. Here are tips to boost and motivate you during these uncertain times.

Schedule after-work group huddles.

Make sure not to contact your teammates during work time. They need some kind of support too during the lockdown period. Say, for example, you can dedicate a channel/group chat for work, and then another for non-work banter and chit-chat. We should still be “social” in the time of “social distancing”.

Designate a spot in your house where you will work.

It can be in a corner of your room, the attic, basement, or elsewhere without distractions and noise. Let your family know your work schedule so they can let you work in peace as much as possible.

Turn on the music.

Some can work best with music, while others don’t. It’s up to you. There are studies wherein people tend to be more productive with soothing music playing in the background. You can check out these kinds of relaxing music online.

Distract yourself from time to time.

Now, this one may seem to contradict but it’s not what you think it is. It is a good idea to stretch a little bit, roam around the room for a few minutes, get a drink, and go back to your desk. This helps in preventing burnout. Sitting for long hours every day isn’t good either. Still, being productive is important above anything else.

Be productive while at home

If you are still able to work while on lockdown, then you are more fortunate than others. You still have your job and the opportunity to earn money in these uncertain times. What’s happening now can be very inconvenient, annoying even.

Our daily routines back then may not be the same again once the pandemic disappears. For now, you would have to skip your appointment in a Brazilian blowout salon in Rockville due to the pandemic. Then again, we still have a lot to be thankful for a house to shelter your family from danger, and simply being healthy and alive.