Working from home is very much different from working in the usual workplace. Those who have already established their work system as virtual workers know that the early work-from-home transition adjustment period can be a nightmare. It takes strict discipline to become a successful remote worker. But it is easier said than done.

Strict discipline can be summed up in two important manifestations: hygiene and routine. Many remote workers often mistook “convenience,” which WFH setup brings as an excuse to become more passive, knowing that our managers and supervisors are not around physically.

So how can hygiene and routine help us transition in remote work setup successfully?

Good hygiene can make us work comfortably

Being in a remote setting doesn’t mean you have to neglect good hygiene. Sure, you can fake looking presentable during a Zoom meeting, but it is you who will feel the itch and unease brought about by poor hygiene. If you don’t bother minding basic dental hygiene, soon enough, there are one or two oral health issues to mind. When you skip taking baths, you will suffer from scalp and skin itch.

If you lose enthusiasm for taking good care of yourself because of the new setup, you can begin with the simple, most basic steps. For example, instead of checking emails when you wake up in the morning, why not get up, meditate even for a minute, wash your face and brush your teeth instead. Feeling clean can make your day a couple of times better than smelling and looking like a mess.

Once basic hygiene and dressing up become part of your daily routine, adding other hygiene practices will not hurt but help you feel more comfortable and healthy. Taking care of your skin is one example of this.

Routine helps make complex works easier

Expect chaos and mess when we don’t observe daily routine. The role of routine is to help you be reminded of priorities and be organized with your tasks. You know its importance by experience. Because before the pandemic happened, you followed a routine when going to the workplace. Now that most offices allow work-from-home arrangements, would you need a new routine amid the pandemic?

You can simply resume your old routine and bid commute goodbye. Wake up just like you would do when reporting to your office. Log out your accounts when your shift ends, and stop working overtime if there is no need for it.

Aside from helping you sort out priorities, nailing a routine can also help you manage time naturally. You become more aware and sensitive with the time you want to make the most of each minute while on the clock.

As simple as observing a good hygiene practice and a daily routine can already help you get a step ahead in securing your work. The key is to stop giving in to the lure of your bed or other chores while working from home.