Is working from home new for you? Many offices are navigating a transition to remote colleagues and virtual meetings. Here at Blue Zones Project – Hawai‘i, we all work remotely so include some best practices in colleague onboarding. Here’s a few highlights and tips to guide you through the change.

Personal Well-Being Tips

1. UNPLUG
   Be sure to take breaks to unplug, get away from all technology and focus on something else. Whether its cooking a meal (check out our recipes), working in the yard or playing with your dog – just make sure you make time to do it daily. Research suggests that constant connectivity lowers productivity and reduced your ability to manage stress. In addition, too much screen time is bad for your eyes!
2. GET OUTSIDE
   Nature is a mood booster and helps with productivity. When possible, think out of the box and schedule a walk or just spend some time outside. Challenge yourself to 10,000 steps a day or simply take a phone call outside. Fresh air is always a good idea!
   
3. 5-3-1
   The Center for Healthy Minds advises us to remember the 5-3-1 rule. This daily practice includes a 5 minute meditation, writing down 3 good things that happened and completing one act of kindness (all things we can do while social distancing!). Meditation rookie? There’s a bunch of apps to guide you (Headspace, Calm or Glo all offer great, beginner meditation)
   

Work From Home (WFH) Tips from our BZP Colleagues

Ashley’s WFH Tip: Declutter your Workspace Create a dedicated space in your home where you can work undistracted – and can close the door at the end of the day Use an Ergonomic Checklist Get a good chair!
	Karen’s WFH Tip: Be Prepared  Keep everything handy. Make sure you’ve got all the stuff you need in your home office Keep a stock of supplies – printer ink, pens, paper clips, etc. Make it a space you want to be. Personalize it with photos or memorabilia that inspire you
Ann’s WFH Tip: Make it a Comfy Environment Find a space in your house that fits you and helps you be productive Not to hot, not too cold, but just right! Make sure you’ve got the right amount of light Have enough space

Other Great WFH Resources

• Make sure you’re taking breaks. Here’s a great reminder you can implement that forces you to do so: Break Timer (Google Chrome extension)
• Check out our Get Up Offa That Thing flyer for some easy desk stretches that you can do at home.
• Gallup Article: How to Keep Remote Worker Well-Being High
• LinkedIn Article: 4 Ways you can give your remote workforce a sense of togetherness