The Work From Home Commute

Work from home.  What used to be an occasional thing for some people is now a routine thing for most people.  Working from home can look different for each employee, freelancer, or company.  Over the last year we have grown accustomed to this reality and have adapted our workflows to better utilize our time at home.  Working from home can be more productive for a vast majority of the population, but for others with kids at home can lead to lower productivity and constant interruptions.  

One of the main differences from working in an office is now you don’t have to commute very far.  Now you may be thinking that’s a good thing, but I am here to tell you why a longer commute can be a good thing as well.  

The Commute Clears Your Head

The commute is the buffer between home and work.  It gives you time to prepare your mind for the day ahead, listen to podcasts, catch up on emails (if you ride a train or bus), or  just relax.  After work, it’s a time to decompress from all the meetings and interactions at the office and clear your brain so you're ready to interact with your family when you get home.  When I commuted by train and bus it involved walking down the street from my apartment to the train station and the train station to the office.  It’s walks like this that get me daily exercise and fresh air before jumping into the daily routines of work at the office. My walk also included some stairs so that really got my heart rate going first thing in the morning.  On the train I can sit and think about the day or even what I plan to do after work.  

Morning walk to clear your head

How do you get that commute type of experience when working from home.  One such way is to workout in the morning, like a walk around the neighborhood.  Instead of just rolling out of bed, putting that “zoom shirt”  on, and starting to work, start the morning with an active routine.  

Getting ready for the day the same way you always did is a great way to stay productive when working from home.  Shower, have a good breakfast, and go for a walk before you start your work tasks. 

The Break Room Banter

Working from home also doesn’t have those trips to the break room or slipping down to the corner cafe for a coffee.  Breaking up the day with a walk in the middle is also an option to get that same experience, especially if you have an early meeting call.  For me, I am productive early in the morning, but need that late morning/lunch hour break to clear my head and go for a walk.  It might be a good idea depending on your coworkers to plan a mid morning Zoom chat where you can just talk or brainstorm things the same way you would around the coffee pot.  Slack also has different channels that you can dedicate to be fun chats and share stories and funny gifs (just don’t get too carried away).  

So as you continue to work from home and stay safe for the rest of the year and into next year remember to not just treat it as a commute-less day, but build a solid routine that helps you stay productive both during work and after work.  Missed physical activity like walking to the bus stops and decreased social activity with no break room visits can make an 8 hour work day feel longer.  Eating a normal breakfast, taking mental breaks, and going for a walk can all make your day go by faster and feel more productive.  Resist the urge to go from bed to desk to couch.  Get up, be active and enjoy the time you have at home with your family while also feeling productive and refreshed for work.