Our work and study environments are constantly evolving and technology innovations have increased remote work from home. But for most of us who have made the sudden transition, UWA Psychology Honours graduate Michelle Hammond offers ways to maintain balance and a sense of normality as we adjust to physical distance and the lines between work and home start to blur.

1. Try your best to stick to your usual working hours

It's not healthy to work 24/7. If you're at uni, perhaps set yourself some 'working hours' that you can comply to. Then you can have some kind of normality outside of those hours.

2. Keep some structure to your day

If your usual commute has been altered (or removed altogether), still make that effort to go for a walk. Perhaps to the beach or to your local park. This will help to break up the day a little too (as opposed to switching from your bedroom to your living room!). It's also nice to keep your morning routine: get showered, ready and dressed as if you were going to the office/library. It'll help you feel that normality (and will get you out of your trackies!).

3. Don't forget to exercise

We all know how important exercise is for your mental health, so don't let the current climate affect that. If your gyms are closing, think about some at-home workouts. Add your friend in by video and you can do them together. Strava is a helpful app to track running/cycling/walking etc. and you can see what your friends have been up to for some healthy competition. You can also consider checking online for some virtual exercise class options - there are lots out there. If you're into Yoga, try 'Yoga International', the first 30 days are free. Or if you want a free option, try 'Yoga with Adriene' on YouTube.

4. Schedule breaks 

Keep a lunch break in there somewhere. Time away from your screen is important, and re-fuelling is too!

5. Get up to date with your tech options

Google docs/sheets will also be very helpful during these times, especially if you're working on group projects. For virtual meetings, Zoom is great and there's also Microsoft Teams and Skype.

6. Stay connected with workmates, friends and family

If it works for you, schedule in a daily or weekly catch-up via Zoom with someone from work or uni. It'll help to keep you on track (it sure did for me!) and it will maintain those lines of communication. For the more casual catch ups with friends, give the app House Party a try.

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About the author

Since graduating with her First Class Honours in Psychology at UWA, Michelle has taken her life to London and now works as Group People Advisor at Mother.

You can connect with Michelle via her LinkedIn.