Well, 2020 is off to quite a start. We officially have a pandemic on our hands: COVID-19.

Because social distancing is a proven method to hinder the spread of disease, many businesses have already enacted WFH (work from home) policies. Awesome, right?

Not always. As a five-year WFH veteran, I can tell you at times it can be isolating, counterproductive, and just plain boring. Here are a couple of hacks I picked up along the way I’d like to share.

1. Be available

If you work a full-time job, you are expected to be as available as you are in the office. You’re still getting full-time pay, which means you need to be putting in full-time work. Now is not the time to slack off.

Yes, you can take breaks. Yes, you can still have a lunch hour. But if you go dark during normal work hours, your co-workers (and superiors) will become frustrated with you very quickly. Most of us don’t work in a vacuum, and a delay in response time could mean you are holding up processes for others. Please be responsive and courteous.

2. Make a comfortable workspace

Like an actual office, your at-home office space should be comfortable and conducive to productivity. This means having an actual desk and chair (or a standing desk if you fancy). Ideally, your workstation should have a door that can be closed at night so you can “leave the day behind.”

This is also imperative for working parents with kids at home. When they see you, they want to interact with you. They can’t help it. They’re kids. So institute a firm “closed-door” policy where if Mommy or Daddy have the door closed, they’re in work mode and not to be bothered (barring an emergency, of course).

We all remember this 2017 viral clip of a WFH dad being interrupted on a BBC interview by his two hilarious kids. Toddlers gonna toddler. No judgment – the reason this video went viral was that it was so relatable. But if you don’t want your small children making their TV debut during your teleconference… lock the door.

**EXCEPTION: While having a dedicated office space is important, there may be some days either mentally or physically that you’re needing comfort. On those days, I say give working from bed the green light. Cozy up with your pet and a blanket, brew some tea, and feel safe while jamming on your laptop. Just make sure it doesn’t become a habit.

Memphis, like Garfield, doesn’t do Mondays

3. Pick up the phone

You know those meetings that could have been an email? There are also emails that should have been phone calls. If you get into an extended back-and-forth with a co-worker, don’t be afraid to initiate a call. It’s always fine to say, “Is it OK if I just call you instead?”

As a project manager, I like to schedule daily phone check-ins so I can be respectful of my team’s time. I don’t interrupt them when they’re “in the zone.” Having short, scheduled meetings can be crucial to get a quick rundown of all the projects in motion.

4. Incorporate movement into your day

When you work from home, your daily step-count goes down drastically. Instead of running for the train or walking into the office from the parking garage, your commute is now a couple of yards. Yay because traffic is terrible. Boo because inactivity can lead to stress, depression, and weight gain.

If you are social distancing and don’t want to go to the gym, I’ve found some excellent apps to keep you moving at home. One is FItOn, which was introduced to me by the incomparable Jonathan Van Ness. (His heart-opening yoga class – shamazing.) There are several different kinds of exercises on the app including strength training, HIIT, pilates, barre, and, of course, my favorite, yoga.

Me when I found out JVN had a free online yoga class

5. Find your own routine

Most WFH articles swear by keeping your morning routine the same as if you were to go into the office. If wearing pants and blow-outs help your productivity, great. To me, I say, “Meh.”

The key here is routine. My routine is wake up, brew some coffee, wash my face, and get to it. I like to do my writing in the morning when I’m fresh and meetings in the afternoon. I’d rather shower after doing some lunch-time exercise.

Plus, working from home is a great chance to give your hair a break from the blow-dryer, and your skin a break from heavy makeup. Heck, throw some self-care in there. Do a clay detox mask and a hot oil treatment while you work on that proposal. And yoga pants? Yes, please! These are the glories of working from home.

**CAUTION: While skipping morning glam is cool, you may get what I refer to as “video call jumped,” i.e. an impromptu video call from an important client or superior. If you aren’t looking “camera-ready,” most video chat services have an option to do only audio. Take the option.

Lastly, let’s watch out for each other. These are uncertain times, and no one really knows what’s going to happen. Don’t forget to check in regularly with friends and family. They may be feeling isolated, too. A quick phone chat or Skype call with a friend can vastly improve your feeling of human connection.

And if you start exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, and then please, take care of yourself and follow CDC guidelines. And for Godsakes, don’t get filmed fighting over the last roll of toilet paper at the grocery store. You’re better than that.

Stay safe out there!