The thought of being able to stay in your pyjamas all day might seem very appealing, but getting up, washing, and dressing as if you are going to work will help prepare you mentally for the day ahead.

There probably is not any need to go with full work attire – suit and tie, or hard hat depending on your field – but it is import that when you sit at your laptop, you feel like you are there to work. You’ll be more productive and feel like you’ve not been stuck in your house all day. It also means you are prepared for any unplanned video calls.

When you clock off you can change into more comfortable clothes. You will likely find that the change in attire will help your brain switch between work and home mode much easier.

It is tempting to sit on the sofa when working from home. Or to take over the dining table. The problem with these options is that you are likely to find that it is not the most comfortable to setups. Plus using parts of the house where you might normally relax risks blurring the lines between work and home life.

Keep your work space as just that, when you are sat there you know you are there to do work. It will help you get into the correct frame of mind. You do not need to have a whole room for your work space, it can just be a work desk in the corner of your room. You also need to make sure you have a work suitable chair – you will be in it for a long time so it’s important to make sure you sit comfortable and correctly.

It is important when working from home that you stick to a routine. Ideally, you should try and stick to your usual working routine as much as possible. Be ready to start your day at your usual time, and finish at your regular time. Not only does sticking to a routine help you relax out of working hours, it also means that you will be more productive when you should be working and the rest of your team will be able to get hold of you during working hours.

Just because you and the rest of your team are working from home, that does not mean you have to stop talking to each other. Whether it is a call, text, or email, it is important to keep in regular contact with your team to ensure work flows and tasks are completed. Regular contact with your colleagues will also help prevent feelings of isolation that can sometimes creep in when you do not see your team day-to-day.

In an office environment, when you have people coming and going, small breaks occur naturally throughout the day. When working from home it is sometimes easy to work an entire day without taking sufficient breaks. This is especially easy to do if you are alone while working from home.

Stop for 10 minutes in the morning and afternoon to stretch your legs, make a cup of tea, and take your eyes off your laptop screen. Make sure you switch off from work for your lunch break. Stepping away from your desk while you have your lunch will help you feel invigorated and ready to go for the afternoon.

Get out – especially at the end of your working day. Going for a short walk at the end of the working day will help you feel like you’ve not been stuck at home all day. A short walk will give you a chance to wind down from work and switch off by the time you return back home.