{"id":68283,"date":"2023-01-27T05:26:00","date_gmt":"2023-01-27T05:26:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/arielle.com.au\/?p=68283"},"modified":"2025-06-10T22:37:50","modified_gmt":"2025-06-10T22:37:50","slug":"how-to-work-from-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/arielle.com.au\/how-to-work-from-home\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Work From Home Without Going Crazy"},"content":{"rendered":"<span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\">Reading Time: <\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 7<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minutes<\/span><\/span>\n<p>Working from home is now a widespread practice in Australia. Recent ABS surveys revealed that nearly half (46%) of Australian employees now work from home in some capacity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But a work-from-home job is not without downsides. Proponents of WFH rarely mention loneliness (especially for extroverts) and the struggle to set boundaries while ignoring distractions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A lot of WFH employees feel that they&#8217;re at work 24\/7 with no escape &#8211; to the point where they resent their lovely homes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>(Related Article: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/arielle.com.au\/home-office-ideas-on-a-budget\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong><u>7 Stylish Home Office Ideas<\/u><\/strong><\/a><strong>).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:45px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>1. Eliminate Distractions.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You still keep getting sucked into mind-numbing viral content and doomscrolling, don&#8217;t you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Social media platforms are the devil. If you don&#8217;t have the willpower to resist, consider these limiters:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"arrow-wrapper\"><div class=\"arrow-list\"><ul><li><strong>Lock certain apps <\/strong>in Android using a third-party app like &#8220;AppBlock &#8211; Stay Focused&#8221;.<\/li><li><strong>Set daily time limits <\/strong>on your iPhone in the settings.<\/li><li><strong>Use a time lock box <\/strong>to physically lock away your phone for a predetermined amount of hours, preventing you from reaching for it every time you get a WhatsApp message or email.<\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1015\" src=\"https:\/\/arielle.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/working-from-home-in-australia.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-93017\" srcset=\"https:\/\/arielle.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/working-from-home-in-australia.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/arielle.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/working-from-home-in-australia-300x297.jpg 300w, https:\/\/arielle.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/working-from-home-in-australia-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/arielle.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/working-from-home-in-australia-768x761.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Aside from tech, what else is making you procrastinate? Remember that one distraction often leads to another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, you convince yourself that you need another coffee boost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>(Related: <a href=\"https:\/\/arielle.com.au\/working-from-home-ideas-australia\/\">7 Career Ideas For WFH Australians<\/a>).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Next, you decide to go for a quick toilet break. While you&#8217;re there, you might as well give the mirror a quick wipe. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You hear a noise from outside, so you open the window \u2013 and, ooh, a butterfly!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-create-block-tip-block tip-wrapper\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-md-12\"><div class=\"card-wrapper\"><div class=\"card-title\"><div class=\"icon\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 20\" fill=\"none\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M7.5 14.33a5 5 0 1 1 5 0v4.17h-5v-4.17Zm4.25-1.3-.75.44V17H9v-3.53l-.75-.44a3.5 3.5 0 1 1 3.5 0Z\" fill=\"#656E83\"><\/path><path d=\"M9.25 1v2h1.5V1h-1.5ZM5.53 4.47l-1.5-1.5-1.06 1.06 1.5 1.5 1.06-1.06ZM15.53 5.53l1.5-1.5-1.06-1.06-1.5 1.5 1.06 1.06ZM1 10.75h2v-1.5H1v1.5ZM17 10.75h2v-1.5h-2v1.5Z\" fill=\"#656E83\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div><h3 placeholder=\"Tip Title Goes Here\">Expert Tip.<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"card-content\"><p placeholder=\"Tip Content Goes Here\">Resist the slippery slope of distractions by catching them early.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2. Set Boundaries With Family Members.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Can you just take the dog for a walk&#8230; change the baby&#8230; mow the lawn&#8230; return this parcel&#8230; do the dishes&#8230; vacuum clean the living room?&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sound familiar?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you live with someone who doesn&#8217;t work from home, they might expect you to muck in with the household chores while you&#8217;re working from home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-create-block-tip-block tip-wrapper\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-md-12\"><div class=\"card-wrapper\"><div class=\"card-title\"><div class=\"icon\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 20\" fill=\"none\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M7.5 14.33a5 5 0 1 1 5 0v4.17h-5v-4.17Zm4.25-1.3-.75.44V17H9v-3.53l-.75-.44a3.5 3.5 0 1 1 3.5 0Z\" fill=\"#656E83\"><\/path><path d=\"M9.25 1v2h1.5V1h-1.5ZM5.53 4.47l-1.5-1.5-1.06 1.06 1.5 1.5 1.06-1.06ZM15.53 5.53l1.5-1.5-1.06-1.06-1.5 1.5 1.06 1.06ZM1 10.75h2v-1.5H1v1.5ZM17 10.75h2v-1.5h-2v1.5Z\" fill=\"#656E83\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div><h3 placeholder=\"Tip Title Goes Here\">Important!<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"card-content\"><p placeholder=\"Tip Content Goes Here\">Just because you&#8217;re at home doesn&#8217;t mean you&#8217;re available to start tackling mountains of laundry \u2013 for the same reason you wouldn&#8217;t sit and binge-watch <em>Breaking Bad<\/em>.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Work is work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"indent-wrapper\"><div class=\"indented-text\"><span>Be sure to set ground rules with those who live with you.<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Okay, life sometimes gets in the way, and we need to take advantage of working flexible hours, but any deviation from your daily routine should be an exception rather than the rule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>(Related: <a href=\"https:\/\/arielle.com.au\/best-accounting-software-for-small-business\/\">Best Accounting Software For Freelancers<\/a>).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some reasonable exceptions are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"arrow-wrapper\"><div class=\"arrow-list\"><ul><li><strong>Medical <\/strong>appointments.<\/li><li><strong>Childcare <\/strong>obligations.<\/li><li><strong>Family <\/strong>emergencies.<\/li><li><strong>Personal<\/strong> illness.<\/li><li><strong>Commute<\/strong> issues.<\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-create-block-tip-block tip-wrapper\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-md-12\"><div class=\"card-wrapper\"><div class=\"card-title\"><div class=\"icon\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 20\" fill=\"none\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M7.5 14.33a5 5 0 1 1 5 0v4.17h-5v-4.17Zm4.25-1.3-.75.44V17H9v-3.53l-.75-.44a3.5 3.5 0 1 1 3.5 0Z\" fill=\"#656E83\"><\/path><path d=\"M9.25 1v2h1.5V1h-1.5ZM5.53 4.47l-1.5-1.5-1.06 1.06 1.5 1.5 1.06-1.06ZM15.53 5.53l1.5-1.5-1.06-1.06-1.5 1.5 1.06 1.06ZM1 10.75h2v-1.5H1v1.5ZM17 10.75h2v-1.5h-2v1.5Z\" fill=\"#656E83\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div><h3 placeholder=\"Tip Title Goes Here\">Expert Tip.<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"card-content\"><p placeholder=\"Tip Content Goes Here\">If you have young children, consider locking your office from the inside of your home office. They have a habit of interrupting online meetings. Barricade yourself in as though you&#8217;re preparing for the apocalypse.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3. Create A Separate Office Space.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1015\" src=\"https:\/\/arielle.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/work-from-home.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-93020\" srcset=\"https:\/\/arielle.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/work-from-home.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/arielle.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/work-from-home-300x297.jpg 300w, https:\/\/arielle.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/work-from-home-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/arielle.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/work-from-home-768x761.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Above: working from your kitchen table for extended periods of time is not a great idea.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You must separate your work and personal lives. If you have the luxury of a spare room, convert it into your home office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"indent-wrapper\"><div class=\"indented-text\"><span>If you don&#8217;t have a spare room, look for a nook or a corner where you can place a small desk and an office chair.<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-create-block-tip-block tip-wrapper\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-md-12\"><div class=\"card-wrapper\"><div class=\"card-title\"><div class=\"icon\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 20\" fill=\"none\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M7.5 14.33a5 5 0 1 1 5 0v4.17h-5v-4.17Zm4.25-1.3-.75.44V17H9v-3.53l-.75-.44a3.5 3.5 0 1 1 3.5 0Z\" fill=\"#656E83\"><\/path><path d=\"M9.25 1v2h1.5V1h-1.5ZM5.53 4.47l-1.5-1.5-1.06 1.06 1.5 1.5 1.06-1.06ZM15.53 5.53l1.5-1.5-1.06-1.06-1.5 1.5 1.06 1.06ZM1 10.75h2v-1.5H1v1.5ZM17 10.75h2v-1.5h-2v1.5Z\" fill=\"#656E83\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div><h3 placeholder=\"Tip Title Goes Here\">Expert Tip.<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"card-content\"><p placeholder=\"Tip Content Goes Here\">As a last resort, set up your office for the day on the dining table, but be sure to remove all work-related gear as soon as you finish work.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>4. Buy A Top-Notch Standing Desk &amp; Office Chair.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Your productivity and posture will suffer if you keep using a kitchen stool, sofa, bed, or even a beaten-up old office chair that belonged to your Aunt Susan before she retired.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>(Related: <a href=\"https:\/\/arielle.com.au\/9am-home-dora-pro-standing-desk-review\/\">Dora Pro Standing Desk Review: Best WFH Desk?<\/a>)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While expensive, some of the <a href=\"https:\/\/arielle.com.au\/best-office-chair-australia\/\">best office chairs<\/a> will save you money in the long run because you won&#8217;t need to replace them every 2-3 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-create-block-tip-block tip-wrapper\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-md-12\"><div class=\"card-wrapper\"><div class=\"card-title\"><div class=\"icon\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 20\" fill=\"none\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M7.5 14.33a5 5 0 1 1 5 0v4.17h-5v-4.17Zm4.25-1.3-.75.44V17H9v-3.53l-.75-.44a3.5 3.5 0 1 1 3.5 0Z\" fill=\"#656E83\"><\/path><path d=\"M9.25 1v2h1.5V1h-1.5ZM5.53 4.47l-1.5-1.5-1.06 1.06 1.5 1.5 1.06-1.06ZM15.53 5.53l1.5-1.5-1.06-1.06-1.5 1.5 1.06 1.06ZM1 10.75h2v-1.5H1v1.5ZM17 10.75h2v-1.5h-2v1.5Z\" fill=\"#656E83\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div><h3 placeholder=\"Tip Title Goes Here\">Expert Tip.<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"card-content\"><p placeholder=\"Tip Content Goes Here\">If you suffer from lower back problems, some office chairs with strong, pronounced lumbar support may help (e.g., the <a href=\"https:\/\/arielle.com.au\/ergotune-office-chair-review\/\">Ergotune Supreme<\/a> or the <a href=\"https:\/\/arielle.com.au\/sihoo-m57-review\/\">Sihoo M57<\/a>).<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>As for the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/arielle.com.au\/best-standing-desk-australia\/\">best standing desks<\/a>, I love those in the UpDown and Desky ranges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At one time, I contemplated buying a cheap standing desk from Ikea until I tested it and realised why the <a href=\"https:\/\/arielle.com.au\/is-ikea-standing-desk-worth-it\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ikea standing desk<\/a> wasn&#8217;t worth it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-create-block-tip-block tip-wrapper\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-md-12\"><div class=\"card-wrapper\"><div class=\"card-title\"><div class=\"icon\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 20\" fill=\"none\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M7.5 14.33a5 5 0 1 1 5 0v4.17h-5v-4.17Zm4.25-1.3-.75.44V17H9v-3.53l-.75-.44a3.5 3.5 0 1 1 3.5 0Z\" fill=\"#656E83\"><\/path><path d=\"M9.25 1v2h1.5V1h-1.5ZM5.53 4.47l-1.5-1.5-1.06 1.06 1.5 1.5 1.06-1.06ZM15.53 5.53l1.5-1.5-1.06-1.06-1.5 1.5 1.06 1.06ZM1 10.75h2v-1.5H1v1.5ZM17 10.75h2v-1.5h-2v1.5Z\" fill=\"#656E83\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div><h3 placeholder=\"Tip Title Goes Here\">Expert Tip.<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"card-content\"><p placeholder=\"Tip Content Goes Here\">If your budget permits, go for an electric standing desk with a max load capacity greater than 130kg (aim for 150kg).<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>5. Get The Government To Pay For Your Standing Desk.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have an ABN, work from home and live in New South Wales, you may be eligible for a $1,000 government rebate on your standing desk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"indent-wrapper\"><div class=\"indented-text\"><span>This perk is excellent for freelancers and small business owners.<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"532\" src=\"https:\/\/arielle.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/tips-for-working-from-home.jpg\" alt=\"tips for working from home\" class=\"wp-image-68294\" srcset=\"https:\/\/arielle.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/tips-for-working-from-home.jpg 800w, https:\/\/arielle.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/tips-for-working-from-home-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/arielle.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/tips-for-working-from-home-768x511.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ll find the full eligibility criteria <a href=\"https:\/\/www.safework.nsw.gov.au\/advice-and-resources\/rebate-programs\/small-business-rebates\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-create-block-tip-block tip-wrapper\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-md-12\"><div class=\"card-wrapper\"><div class=\"card-title\"><div class=\"icon\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 20\" fill=\"none\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M7.5 14.33a5 5 0 1 1 5 0v4.17h-5v-4.17Zm4.25-1.3-.75.44V17H9v-3.53l-.75-.44a3.5 3.5 0 1 1 3.5 0Z\" fill=\"#656E83\"><\/path><path d=\"M9.25 1v2h1.5V1h-1.5ZM5.53 4.47l-1.5-1.5-1.06 1.06 1.5 1.5 1.06-1.06ZM15.53 5.53l1.5-1.5-1.06-1.06-1.5 1.5 1.06 1.06ZM1 10.75h2v-1.5H1v1.5ZM17 10.75h2v-1.5h-2v1.5Z\" fill=\"#656E83\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div><h3 placeholder=\"Tip Title Goes Here\">Expert Tip.<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"card-content\"><p placeholder=\"Tip Content Goes Here\">Your boss may be open to paying for your standing desk (<a href=\"https:\/\/arielle.com.au\/how-do-i-ask-for-standing-desk-at-work\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">how to ask your employer for a standing desk<\/a>).<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>6. Improve Your Home Office Lighting.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/arielle.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/how-to-work-from-home-tips.jpg\" alt=\"how to work from home productively\" class=\"wp-image-68309\" srcset=\"https:\/\/arielle.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/how-to-work-from-home-tips.jpg 800w, https:\/\/arielle.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/how-to-work-from-home-tips-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/arielle.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/how-to-work-from-home-tips-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/arielle.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/how-to-work-from-home-tips-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Just because you can get away with your WFH \u201cset\u201d looking daggy \u2013 complete with children\u2019s toys, your dog, and your kettle in the background \u2013 doesn\u2019t mean you should.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What\u2019s the #1 secret to looking good on camera? Lighting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>(Related: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/arielle.com.au\/home-office-lighting\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong><u>Tips For Better Home Office Lighting<\/u><\/strong><\/a><strong>).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Don&#8217;t use overhead lighting &#8211; unless you want to look like a prisoner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"indent-wrapper\"><div class=\"indented-text\"><span><em>The primary light source must be in front of you.<\/em><\/span><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The easiest thing to do is to place your desk against the window, so you face towards the light.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Consider investing in a simple and relatively inexpensive artificial lighting solution <a href=\"https:\/\/lumecube.com\/products\/video-conference-lighting-kit-for-remote-workers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><u>like this one from LumeCube<\/u><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>7. Get Lunches Delivered.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/arielle.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/work-from-home-productivity.jpeg\" alt=\"work from home productivity\" class=\"wp-image-68313\" srcset=\"https:\/\/arielle.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/work-from-home-productivity.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/arielle.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/work-from-home-productivity-300x200.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ve worked for a few hours. Time to make lunch, right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Wrong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re not careful, you\u2019ll spend half of your workday mucking about the kitchen. Time hemorrhages twice as quickly when working from your home, and food prep is one of the biggest timesucks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Don\u2019t get me wrong. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"indent-wrapper\"><div class=\"indented-text\"><span>I don\u2019t recommend that you get all of your meals delivered.<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>But lunches \u2013 and possibly breakfasts \u2013 can be treated as functional meals that you outsource.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-create-block-tip-block tip-wrapper\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-md-12\"><div class=\"card-wrapper\"><div class=\"card-title\"><div class=\"icon\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 20\" fill=\"none\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M7.5 14.33a5 5 0 1 1 5 0v4.17h-5v-4.17Zm4.25-1.3-.75.44V17H9v-3.53l-.75-.44a3.5 3.5 0 1 1 3.5 0Z\" fill=\"#656E83\"><\/path><path d=\"M9.25 1v2h1.5V1h-1.5ZM5.53 4.47l-1.5-1.5-1.06 1.06 1.5 1.5 1.06-1.06ZM15.53 5.53l1.5-1.5-1.06-1.06-1.5 1.5 1.06 1.06ZM1 10.75h2v-1.5H1v1.5ZM17 10.75h2v-1.5h-2v1.5Z\" fill=\"#656E83\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div><h3 placeholder=\"Tip Title Goes Here\">Expert Tip.<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"card-content\"><p placeholder=\"Tip Content Goes Here\">You\u2019re spoilt for choice if you live in Sydney, Brisbane, or Melbourne. Companies like HelloFresh, Marley Spoon, and many other alternatives can deliver tasty, nutritious meals to your door for as low as $8 per meal.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:41px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>8. Prepare Meals The Night Before.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have a bit more time in the evenings, batch-cook some meals for the week. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Not all recipes are great for batch cooking (avoid reheating seafood!), but here are some dishes that are work very well:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"arrow-wrapper\"><div class=\"arrow-list\"><ul><li><strong>Mushroom risotto<\/strong> in white wine sauce and a sprinkling of parmesan.<\/li><li><strong>Chilli con carne<\/strong> served with rice, guacamole, and sour cream.<\/li><li><strong>Sri Lankan chicken curry<\/strong> with pol roti.<\/li><li><strong>Pasta amatriciana<\/strong> with cured pork and tangy Pecorino Romano.<\/li><li><strong>Beef stir-fry<\/strong> with lo mein noodles.<\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Just make sure to stock up on Tupperware \u2013 and one particular type. My kitchen cupboards are full of Tupperware lids without their respective containers!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>(Related: <a href=\"https:\/\/arielle.com.au\/best-home-coffee-machine\/\">Funkiest Coffee Machines For Your Home Office<\/a>).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>9. Use A VPN.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You should consider paying for a VPN, such as Express VPN. There are several reasons why, some too technical for this guide, so I&#8217;ll boil it down to the two main ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"arrow-wrapper\"><div class=\"arrow-list\"><ul><li><strong>You can bypass geographical restrictions <\/strong>by connecting to servers across the world. I find this helpful when researching local markets because search engine results, shopping results (and prices), and other web pages are localised.<\/li><li><strong>The VPN encrypts the data<\/strong>, making it significantly harder for malicious actors to intercept login credentials, financial data, or company files.<\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Not having a VPN exposes all your privacy and digital assets and can be likened to leaving your front door unlocked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It&#8217;s not worth the risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>(Related: <a href=\"https:\/\/arielle.com.au\/best-website-hosting-providers-in-australia\/\">11 Best Website Hosting Providers In Australia<\/a>).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:21px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>10. Learn To Communicate Across Time Zones.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Are your teammates outside of Australia? You&#8217;ll need to learn protocols that help you prevent conflict:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"arrow-wrapper\"><div class=\"arrow-list\"><ul><li><strong>Ensure you overcommunicate<\/strong> deadlines (i.e., a deadline of &#8220;4 pm on Thursday&#8221; means very different things in Sydney and Lisbon).<\/li><li><strong>Find optimal meeting times.<\/strong> Arrange meetings at reasonable hours to encourage maximum attendance and participation.<\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why People Struggle Working From Home.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>City offices \u2013 as dreary as they can be \u2013 are not without value. They provide structure. A clear divide between work and home lives. Opportunity to mingle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Room to vent, moan and \u2013 dare I say \u2013 flirt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"indent-wrapper\"><div class=\"indented-text\"><span><em>Those are basic human needs \u2013 and are critical for our mental well-being.<\/em><\/span><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Zooming with your fellow inmate\u2026 I mean, colleagues \u2013 for 40-50 hours per week from solitary confinement in your spare bedroom doesn&#8217;t help you realise many of those.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"indent-wrapper\"><div class=\"indented-text\"><span><em>The key to survival in work-from-home arrangements lies in your ability to bend the environment to your needs.<\/em><\/span><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>You need to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"arrow-wrapper\"><div class=\"arrow-list\"><ul><li><strong>Create <\/strong>and follow a routine (i.e., wake up and be at your desk at the same time each day).<\/li><li><strong>Set <\/strong>and enforce firm boundaries with family members (i.e., politely but firmly decline bids for attention from children and spouse).<\/li><li><strong style=\"color: initial; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, sans-serif;\">Build <\/strong>a<strong style=\"color: initial; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, sans-serif;\"> <\/strong>dedicated<strong style=\"color: initial; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, sans-serif;\"> <\/strong>workspace (i.e., ensure you don&#8217;t eat, work and play from the same space).<\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Final Thoughts On How To  Work From Home.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Working from home is the new normal for many of us. If you\u2019re finding it a frustrating, unhealthy, and unproductive experience, change your environment and habits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Perhaps it\u2019s time to consider <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/arielle.com.au\/best-work-from-home-jobs\/\"><u>getting a job more conducive to WFH<\/u><\/a>. There are tonnes of work-from-home opportunities out there that will help you break the 9-5 mould.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I hope the above guidelines, ideas, and tips have helped improve your work-from-home environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have any hacks, let us know in the comments below, and we&#8217;ll get those added!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:26px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Steven<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:27px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\">Reading Time: <\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 7<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minutes<\/span><\/span>Working from home is now a widespread practice in Australia. Recent ABS surveys revealed that nearly half (46%) of Australian<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":93015,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[285,276],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-68283","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-human-factors-and-ergonomics","category-office-space"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How To Work From Home Without Going Crazy<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Follow our expert advice to prevent destroying your relationships, happiness and health while you work from home.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, 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