Remote working has quickly become the “new normal” for many employees worldwide. Surveys suggest that one in every four individuals will work from home permanently in the future.
Moreover, many employees are adopting a “hybrid” model that blends both office and remote working. As companies adapt to this transformation, ensuring employee happiness and well-being is more important than ever to guarantee productivity and retention.
A strategic approach to making remote working engaging and enjoyable can contribute to both individual and organizational success.
In today’s evolving workplace, employees need more than just the right tools and technology to stay productive. They must feel comfortable, energized, and motivated in an environment that is constantly changing.
To help you create a more enjoyable remote working experience, we’ve selected some tips and ideas to make your work-from-home days more fun, fulfilling, and effective.
6 Tips to Make Remote Working Fun
1. Take Care of Your Body
One of the easiest ways to enhance your remote working experience is by paying attention to your physical well-being. Unlike in an office setting, working from home gives you the flexibility to change positions and surroundings more often.
Sitting at a desk is no longer your only option. You can switch things up by working at your kitchen counter, standing, lounging on the sofa, or even sitting on a yoga block with your coffee table as a desk.
This flexibility allows you to move your body more frequently, helping prevent the fatigue that comes with long hours of sitting. Additionally, home-based work provides the perfect opportunity to incorporate exercise into your day.
Whether it’s a morning workout, an afternoon stretch, or taking a walk during a break, staying active throughout the day will not only keep you physically healthy but also boost your mental clarity and productivity. After all, a healthy body nurtures a healthy mind!
2. Take Advantage of Non-Commuting
Before the pandemic, many employees spent significant time commuting to and from the office every day. Whether it was 30 minutes or 2 hours each way, this time quickly adds up. Now that commuting is no longer necessary for remote working, you’ve likely gained back several hours each week. Imagine the possibilities!
The key is to make the most of this time. Rather than mindlessly scrolling through social media or rushing to start work, consider using the extra time to focus on personal growth or simply relax.
You could schedule it as a block on your calendar, just like a meeting, to help ensure you use it productively. You can use this time to pursue a hobby, catch up on reading, meditate, or even connect with loved ones.
By turning your extra hours into intentional activities, you can enhance both your personal well-being and work-life balance, all while avoiding the stresses of commuting.
3. Team Chat
Remote working can sometimes feel isolating, but team chat platforms provide a great way to stay socially connected with colleagues. Beyond simply using team chat for work-related conversations, there’s plenty of room to make it fun!
Sharing memes, and funny videos, or engaging in lighthearted conversations about hobbies, sports, books, or movies can help maintain a sense of camaraderie.
Managers can encourage this by setting up dedicated chat channels for non-work-related topics, such as “Team Fun” or “Watercooler Chats,” where employees can share personal updates or even take polls on fun topics.
Social interaction is key to feeling part of a team, and adding a personal touch to your communications can bring some much-needed joy into the workday.
Apps like OctaMeet, Slack, Microsoft Teams, and even WhatsApp can be powerful tools for team engagement, helping create a positive and vibrant remote working culture.
4. Schedule Time for Playing
In traditional office settings, team-building activities and play are integral parts of fostering a positive work culture. Remote working doesn’t have to be any different. Scheduling fun breaks or play intervals can improve morale, collaboration, and productivity in the long run.
There are plenty of ways to incorporate play into your remote workday. Try using your video conferencing app’s virtual whiteboard to play games like Pictionary or Hangman. A little friendly competition or cooperative games can foster teamwork and create a more relaxed atmosphere.
To ensure everyone feels included, make sure your playtime activities are virtual. By hosting inclusive virtual games or challenges, everyone—whether in the office or working remotely—can join in on the fun.
This can also promote better communication between team members, ensuring everyone stays on the same page. Plus, these moments of relaxation help prevent burnout by giving employees a chance to unwind during the workday.
If you’re using a platform like OctaMeet, take advantage of its calendar feature to schedule fun and work tasks seamlessly. This way, you can enjoy gaming and staying productive without missing a beat.
5. Listening Sessions
Music and podcasts have the power to transform your remote work experience, boosting mood and productivity. Many people find that listening to music while they work helps to concentrate and stay motivated, while others prefer podcasts to engage their minds during breaks.
If you love music, creating a “Pre-Work” playlist can help set the tone for the day. Having a go-to song that starts every workday can act as a sonic cue to signal your brain to focus.
If music isn’t your thing, podcasts are an excellent alternative. With thousands of options on platforms like Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts, there’s a podcast for nearly every interest.
Whether you’re into business, technology, comedy, or storytelling, you can find something that entertains and inspires you during work hours.
Integrating these audio experiences into your daily routine can provide a refreshing break from the monotony and enhance the overall work-from-home atmosphere.
6. A Green Workspace
Transforming your workspace into a calming and vibrant environment can do wonders for your mental health and productivity. One simple yet effective way to achieve this is by adding plants to your workspace. Indoor plants have been proven to reduce stress, improve concentration, and create a more pleasant atmosphere.
Even if you don’t have a green thumb, there are plenty of low-maintenance plants that thrive indoors. Consider adding a small succulent, a pothos vine, or an aloe vera plant to your desk.
Not only will they brighten up your workspace, but they’ll also help purify the air and reduce the stress associated with long hours of screen time. The sight of greenery can also boost creativity and focus, making your work environment feel more lively and refreshing.
Conclusion
Remote working doesn’t have to be a dull and monotonous experience. By making a few simple changes, you can create a workspace that is fun, engaging, and conducive to both productivity and well-being.
Whether it’s through physical self-care, optimizing your time, staying socially connected, playing games, or adding some greenery, these tips will help you enjoy your work-from-home experience and feel motivated every day.
In addition to the fun activities mentioned above, there are countless other ways to improve your remote working experience. Embrace the flexibility of working from home, and use it to your advantage. A happy employee is a productive employee, and a positive work culture leads to a thriving business.
If you’re looking for more ways to improve your remote working experience, OCTAPULL offers tools like OctaMeet, a video conferencing platform that helps teams stay connected and productive, no matter where they are. By combining work and play, OCTAPULL enables a seamless and enjoyable remote working experience.
Take care of your body, enjoy non-commuting, engage in team chats, schedule playtime, explore music and podcasts, and add a little green to your workspace—before you know it, you’ll be loving your remote work life more than ever!
Ready to make remote working fun? Book a demo with the product team or explore how OCTAPULL’s innovative solutions like OctaMeet can transform your work experience today.
