The Winter Home Office Survival Kit

 

With the UK in yet another lockdown, many of us will be working from home for the foreseeable future. This fact combined with the shorter, colder days of winter can make the next few months of work seem a little daunting.

We owe it to ourselves to check in on our mental and physical wellbeing during this time and take the actions we need to feel ok. Of course, how you do this will depend on your unique situation, personality and needs - after all, one person’s large glass of wine is another’s chat with a friend.

The point is, working from home, in winter, during a global pandemic is far from easy. So, we have created a winter-specific ‘Winter Home Office Survival Kit’ of self-care essentials and small luxuries to make your workspace more inspirational, relaxing and productive.

Every great office has great tea and coffee, so why should your home office be any different? Which you drink is your choice, but you don’t necessarily need to invest in a fancy machine to get delicious hot drinks at your home office desk.

For great results try pairing a quality ground coffee like this Organic Honduran coffee from Cru Kafe with a cafeteria or drip filter for a professional standard mug of coffee in your own home.

If healthy, revitalising teas are more your thing we offer a range of teas for different occasions. When things get a little stressful, try brewing yourself a cup of Relax Tea for a moment of peace during a hectic day. Our teas come in non-GMO, biodegradable bags or loose to suit your needs.

Phycologists suggest that scheduling regular breaks during the workday can prevent fatigue and increase motivation, productivity and creativity.

Stationary 

Adding a splash of luxury to your home office doesn’t have to mean spending a fortune on mahogany desks and expensive ergonomic chairs. Just taking the time to select a small amount of desk stationary that appeals to your sense of style can spark joy throughout the day.

Of course, where possible we should try and limit the use of stationery in favour of less environmentally damaging methods of recording information. But sometimes, only a quality notepad will do.

These stunning notepads by Le Moderne can be a great way to add a splash of colour to your desk. Importantly, they are also delivered in plastic-free packaging and created with sustainably sourced papers from FSC-certified forests.

Adding a quality pen to your stationery set up is an absolute must. The right pen can drastically improve your writing style and reduce the potential of hand cramps. Look for a pen which feels right in your hand, usually a little weight will help it sit better.

The Parker Jotter is the standard in great pens and offers fantastic value for money. The hard-wearing metal body provides longevity and the refillable cartridges ensure that these pens will serve you well for years to come.

If you are looking for a special, more personalised writing tool, the PIX Black Ballpoint Pen by Montblanc is a fantastic option.

With freezing outdoor temperatures and a drop in humidity, it is common for your skin to feel dry and irritated during winter months. This is often made worse by your heating working overtime in your home, further drying out your skin.

The two areas which most commonly suffer during winter are your hands and face. Try keeping our Everyday Oil Roll-On in your desk drawer to moisturise and protect dry hands throughout the day. You can also do the same with our rejuvenating Day Cream, simply applying it over your face and neck whenever you feel the need.

It is also important to stay hydrated during winter months, even though you may not feel as thirsty as during summer. Monitor how much you are drinking throughout the day by keeping a water bottle on your desk and refilling it regularly.

A quality pair of headphones is an essential part of any home office set up.

Not only are these often crucial to your day to day work, delivering better audio quality when making calls, but they can also be used to help you block out distractions and focus on your work.

For the maximum benefit, find a pair of noise-cancelling headphone which will help you to truly disconnect from the outside world such as these noise-cancelling wireless headphones from Bose.

Despite the many advantages of working from home, there are also many challenges. Staying motivated and caring for our mental wellbeing can be difficult when isolated to our own homes. Use this survival guide to inspire and ignite your efforts to look after yourself during this difficult time.

Owain is a marketer and writer based in the UK with a passion for supporting forward-thinking businesses. He is the Founder of digital marketing agency MAKE IT MANA and Editor of Better Business Tools.