WORKING TOGETHER THE EXCHANGE SPRING 2021 Get in the spotlight. Focus on your eyeballs. They’re inexpensive, easy to use, and best of all, make Working from home can result in 8+ hours of screen you look like a movie star. It’s a ring light. Place it staring, and that means lots of blue light. Blue light behind your computer for perfect lighting for all of can contribute to eye strain, among other vision your video calls. Try one like this selfie ring light which complications. Blue light glasses have special lenses lights up via USB. Plus it has multiple light modes and that aim to block or filter out blue light. In addition to brightness levels for your next close-up. new specs, you can cure dry eyes with a daily dose of Stand up with your co-workers Systane Ultra. every day. Volunteer virtually. A daily standup online with your team will help to COVID has caused a lot of change, such as making maintain that feeling of connection. It’s like a water volunteering opportunities more interesting and cooler conversation sans water cooler. creative. To dedicate time to volunteering from the comfort of your own office chair, check out Insert daily movement here. Zooniverse. You’ll take part in real research in many fields across Build exercise or movement routines into your the sciences, humanities, and more. Help scientists day. If you can’t start the day with a workout, find a by classifying humpback whale songs, measuring 30-minute breakaway, or try one of the many workout plankton, and counting penguin babies. apps that offer short 10- or 15-minute exercise classes. Keep regular business hours. Set boundaries in your day by giving yourself time for 10 (MORE) HOME exercise and self-care. If you worked regular hours in the office, the same OFFICE ESSENTIALS Bring in the mesh network. should apply at home. Set clear guidelines for when e to open the laptop and when to close it. This not only ffic om o You’re on Google Meet while your partner is streaming ed fr v helps you maintain a work-life balance, but it sets s mo f u y o an tting Netflix, and the kids are back and forth between PS5 expectations for your co-workers. Set your work hours e o g and digital learning. We’re all using our home internet in your calendar ( tting lunch out t here’s how) and block your calendar Back in early 2020, when m e om g es, fr more than before, so help your internet out. Mesh ffic of-the-best as needed. Check out time-tracking and productivity o home o best- systems increase signal strength by using multiple buildings t ed the apps, such as RescueTime, to help you stay on track ar e sh ast , w . F e t units placed around your house that connect together. plus determine your most productive hours. f the fridg om-home spo -fr lunch out o ork They all broadcast the same network name, which ect w or that perf Separate that workspace. ls f e still in the same enables your devices to roam between mesh access r ’ essentia e , and w er t points as they choose. ths la om Time to set some boundaries. Delineate between er 10 mon orking fr v e w o o er d t a workplace and a space dedicated to relaxing and ar forw ou who w Take productive breaks. f y w). , those o y no winding down. At the end of a long workday, leave fully o a desk b ell, hope ed t Working from home not only means easy access to t (w v that laptop behind. spo e mo v a t h xperts, the fridge, but also access to your laundry basket, your ds in the close om-home e Reflect on what’s working oning boar -fr ir ork sink of dishes, and other household chores. Take a few oming w e ak e all bec o m r ’ e minutes in between meetings to be productive in your (and what’s not). eality is w -in-class tips t The r e best space. Not only will you stay ahead of that growing As we hit a year of COVID and working from home, ound for 10 mor ed ar . pile of laundry, but you’ll move your body and get a e ask e so w oductiv what have we learned? The reality is that once we’re e pr break from the screen. Set your meetings to 20 or 25 past COVID, we’re entering a new normal. One home e lifestyle mor t emo s r y’ minutes instead of 30 to give yourself time to prepare oda t office door might close while another opens. What for the next meeting, and to get the mail. would you keep doing and what would you change? Keep a journal or note-taking app (like Evernote) of what you’re finding to be more effective now that we’re home 24/7. 27