Tips on Staying Positive & Productive When Working from Home

With a second lockdown underway due to rising COVID-19 cases across parts of Ontario, many people find themselves working remotely once again. For some, the shift to working from home has been seamless — but for others, the absence of workplace structure, the challenge of managing children attending school from home, and the general weight of the pandemic have made it genuinely difficult. Here are five tips to help you stay positive and productive while working from home.

1. Manage Your Time

A consistent daily routine is one of the most effective tools you have. Small habits add up:

• Wake up at the same time each morning

• Get dressed — stepping out of your pajamas signals the start of a workday

• Eat lunch at a regular time

• Schedule check-ins with your manager at consistent times

• Hold team meetings on a predictable schedule

Maintaining structure helps you stay focused throughout the day and creates a clearer boundary

between work time and personal time.

2. Stay Active

With gyms closed or operating at limited capacity, finding ways to move your body takes a little more creativity

But it's worth the effort. Go for a daily walk or jog, or explore the many free at-home workout videos available on platforms like YouTube. Even short bursts of movement throughout the day can meaningfully boost your energy and mood.

3. Eat Well

Just as routine supports your focus, so does fueling your body properly. Try not to skip breakfast, prep some easy lunches in advance, keep healthy snacks on hand, and drink plenty of water throughout the day. Eating well is one of the simplest things you can do to sustain your energy and stay sharp.

4. Stay Connected with Friends and Family

Social distancing doesn't have to mean social isolation. Make a point of regularly connecting with the people you care about using tools like Zoom, FaceTime, or Skype. Knowing you're not alone — even through a screen — can do a great deal for your mental health and overall outlook during an isolating time.

5. Make the Most of Being Home

With so many events cancelled and commutes eliminated, you may find yourself with more free time than usual. Put it to good use:

• Take an online course to deepen a skill relevant to your field

• Learn something entirely new just for the joy of it

• Declutter your space — donate or discard clothes, furniture, and items you no longer need

• Finally tackle that DIY project you've been putting off

For more ideas, watch Guhuza President Marc Belaiche, CPA, CA discuss this topic here.

Guhuza is created in partnership with TorontoJobs.ca.

Guhuza is the new way to recruit. As an innovative Canadian platform, it goes beyond the traditional job board — using breakthrough technology to instantly match employers and job seekers for the ultimate hiring experience. Our advanced matching system pairs job seeker profiles with relevant positions and ranks candidates for employers based on the skills each role requires. Once a match is made, live interviews can be conducted directly through the platform.

Visit Guhuza.com or our Knowledge Base to learn more.