Working from home often seems like a dream come true. We imagine ourselves working in our PJ’s with Netflix on in the background. We picture days filled with snacks, comfort and skiving. We think that it would be the perfect life. A little bit luxurious and a lot of fun.

Of course, the reality is often quite different. Working from home can be great. It is possible to enjoy yourself and be productive in your home environment. But it’s not always that easy. Working from home can be stressful; you might find it hard to avoid distractions, and many home workers find that they gain weight and lose fitness. Some even notice that their work suffers when they leave the traditional office setting.

So, whether you are being forced into self-isolation, you are starting your own business, or a new contract means that you can work from home at least some of the time, here are some of the things that you can do to survive.

Get Comfortable, But Get Dressed

The best way to stay comfortable might be to lie in your super comfy PJs and underwear. Underwear made by Tencel Lyocell is breathable and perfect for a comfortable day at home. But, this isn’t always the best option when it comes to productivity. Most people find that having a shower and getting dressed helps them to focus. But that doesn’t mean that you need to wear uncomfortable business suits. Aim for comfy casual.

Prepare Some Healthy Snacks

One of the biggest dangers when working from home has got to be the temptations from the kitchen. It’s so easy to treat yourself to short breaks now and then, or to spend the day snacking on sugary treats instead of eating proper meals. For a few days, this is great, but it soon gets boring, not to mention unhealthy.

Prepare healthy snacks and stick to regular mealtimes, and you’ll feel much more energetic and alert, and you’ll get more done.

Stick to a Working Day

When work comes home and home becomes work, life can start to get a little blurred around the edges. If you are working around childcare or the needs of young children at home, this kind of flexibility can be ideal. But, it can also lead to stress and anxiety.

Many people find that they start working much more than usual, or that they can’t focus on work with home distractions, and that they are always stopping work to do something else. Sticking to your regular working hours, or at least working at the same times each day, with scheduled breaks can help to separate work and life.

Plan in Some Exercise

Exercise helps to keep you fit and healthy, but it also helps you to focus and concentrate. Start your day with a yoga routine or a run or schedule a short walk after lunch. It will help to keep your mind alert and your blood pumping.

Maintain Social Contact

Working from home can be lonely. Even if you don’t socialize with colleagues outside of work, they are around you all day. Suddenly being alone all day can be hard. So, maintain social contact,  make plans to see friends and even chat with people online.