10 Tips for Working from Home

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Working from home has many benefits, including flexibility of hours and more time with your family. But it can be challenging to remain productive and efficient while working from home. It’s easy to get distracted, and you lose a sense of accountability that you have when you report to an office every day. That doesn’t mean it’s impossible though. Check out these 10 tips for working from home from pros who do it all the time.

Create a work area.

The last thing you want to do is hunker down on the couch with your laptop and try to get something done with Netflix going in the background. Even trying to work from the dining room table amidst numerous distractions will make it harder to stay focused. If you don’t have the luxury of a home office, you can at least designate a table or desk as your workspace. Setting aside a work area will encourage you to remain focused, and you’ll be more productive. Make sure your area has all the supplies you need readily at hand so you avoid having to get up repeatedly.

How about a nifty desk organizer to clean up your space and make sure everything you need is within reach?

Get dressed.

For real. Resist the temptation to stay in your pajamas all day just because you’re at home. Get ready for the day just as if you were headed off to the office. This means showering, brushing your teeth, and putting on clothes. Getting dressed changes your mindset. Let’s face it: We all enjoy a lazy day in sweatpants, but do we get much done on those days?

While you can stick to a more comfortable attire than usual, you’ll be so much more productive if you get up and get ready for the day as you normally would. If working from home requires you to be on teleconference calls, take an extra few minutes to style your hair and apply a bit of makeup too. Your professionalism really will make a difference to those watching.

Create a to-do list of the most important tasks.

And then start with those first. When you conquer the top two or three tasks each day before lunchtime, then you set yourself up for a productive day. Don’t be tempted to multitask too much. Focus on one project and see it to completion before moving on to the next item on the list. Even if you’re not a list person, you’ll find it is much easier to get off-task while working from home. Having a checklist will help you stay on task and visualize your progress.  

Check out this High Performance Planner to help you prioritize work and personal tasks and set a schedule that works for you.

Minimize distractions.

Interruptions kill productivity like nothing else. Give family members expectations and guidelines. “When you see Mom on the phone, at the computer, etc. you need to wait before interrupting with questions.” Setting boundaries is a healthy way to show your children that your work is important. Devise a way for them to let you know they need your attention when it’s not urgent so you can get to a stopping point before giving them your attention. Just don’t get into the habit of dropping everything every time your child wants to ask a question.

Some people work better with background music or noise; others don’t. If you prefer quiet, work in a room with a door that you can close or provide headphones for family members. Better yet, designate your work time as quiet hours when children can read, work on projects, or play outside.

Set work and break hours.

It’s unrealistic to plan on working a straight 8-hour shift from home. Instead, set aside two-to-three hour blocks for work and build in breaks. If you have kids at home, these shifts can work around their schedules. For example, you may get up early and knock out a project before the little ones need all your attention. Then pick it back up after breakfast when the kids are settled with an activity or during nap time.

The point is, make a plan. Trying to aimlessly squeeze in a few hours here and there probably won’t work. Set up a schedule and do your best to stick to it.

Try to get out each day.

One of the biggest pitfalls of working from home is never getting to really leave the “office”. Staying home 24/7 will make any person stir crazy in no time. Try to get outside for a short walk or run a few errands each day. Even just 15 minutes outside can go a long way to clear your head and help you regain focus.

Stay connected.

When transitioning to working from home, you may feel isolated and out of the loop. Be sure to check in with coworkers regularly. Collaboration and socialization are great for boosting productivity and positive teamwork. Keep up on a personal level as well as a professional level by sharing the things that are most important.

Don’t have a camera on your desktop computer? Check out this webcam for all of your conference calls.

Keep it tidy.

Nothing is more distracting than a messy work area. Clean up after yourself throughout the day and keep your work area organized.

Nothing is more frustrating than device batteries dying in the middle of a busy day. Be sure to keep all your devices charged (and your desk clean) with this multi-device Charging Station.

Take care of yourself.

This is one of the most important tips for working from home. Your schedule has much more flexibility at home, but for some that leads to work, work, work, and not a lot of breaks. Eat breakfast before you tackle big projects and be sure to set aside time for lunch. Take regular breaks to get up and stretch, and stay hydrated.

Another pro tip for working from home is to make sure you stay comfortable. Check out my favorite Balance Ball Chair that improves posture and strengthens your core. Another great investment is a laptop stand to prevent you from looking down all the time. Be sure to protect your eyes from light from your devices with these blue light glasses too.

Enlist help if you need it.

If you find yourself bogged down with kids or tasks at home, consider asking for help. You may need to hire a temporary babysitter for a few hours a day so you can focus without distractions. Come up with a plan to swap kids with a friend or neighbor so you can both get some work done. A housekeeper can also take a lot off of your plate if household duties are too much of a distraction. Your work is important, so treat it as such, and take steps to provide yourself the time and space to be productive.

Check out more of my favorite work-from-home products and gadgets here.

Are you a seasoned work-from-home professional? What are your top tips for working from home? Comment below and share!

Sometimes you need some help staying focused on the task at hand. Try my Focus Essential Oil Roll-On to boost your productivity.

Ready to invest in yourself and take your business to the next level? Apply to join the next session of Brand Strategies Lab.

Answers to 10 Common Questions About Coronavirus

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With the confirmed cases of Coronavirus increasing hour by hour, people everywhere have questions. What can we do to protect ourselves? The more we learn and understand regarding this or any other illness, the more we can make rational, informed decisions. Stay calm in the pandemonium, and arm yourself with answers to common questions about Coronavirus.

Should I get tested?

So you think you may have Coronavirus? Or maybe you just think you may have been exposed, but you want to be cautious? Possibly you weren’t exposed and don’t have symptoms but believe it’s just better to be safe than sorry. Hold on. Before you race to the nearest lab for testing, take a moment and make sure it’s really necessary.

First things first. . .Do you have symptoms?

Symptoms of Coronavirus include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. You may experience some or all of these same symptoms with a common cold. This is why health professionals recommend that you not rush to the doctor or lab for testing at the first sign of symptoms. In short, if your condition is manageable with rest and over-the-counter medicines, stay home. If your symptoms are not bad enough that you’d normally go to a doctor, there’s no need to panic now.

Exceptions to this include people with compromised immune systems. Elderly people and those with diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular or lung disease, or any other disease that decreases immune function who experience the symptoms above, it’s best to be cautious and get tested.

I need testing. What should I do?

If you experience severe symptoms or have a concomitant disease, you should be tested. But don’t rush to the nearest emergency room (unless your symptoms are severe enough to warrant you do so). The current advice is to call your healthcare provider. If you have COVID-19, you might infect others in hospital and doctors’ waiting rooms. Your doc will tell you where to go for testing. It may be a special lab where you won’t have to wait or risk exposing others.

I’m Pregnant. Should I be worried?

Pregnancy taxes the body and causes decreased immunity, making pregnant women more susceptible to viruses and other illnesses. However, the CDC reports do not show an abundance of pregnant women infected with COVID-19.

Even If a pregnant woman contracts the virus, it may not be a dire situation. A small study of 9 Chinese women who tested positive for the virus all delivered healthy babies. Furthermore, amniotic fluid, cord blood, neonatal throat swab, and breastmilk samples from six patients were tested for COVID-19, and all samples tested negative for the virus.

Nevertheless, no woman wants to be sick during pregnancy. The CDC recommends pregnant women take precautions to avoid sick people and crowded areas and to practice good hygiene to prevent getting sick. Yep, pretty much the same recommendations as for the rest of us.

Should I cancel my travel plans?

With the unpredictability of Coronavirus, that’s a tough question to answer right now. CDC recommendations are changing on a daily basis based on the trend of the virus. Currently, they recommend avoidance of all non-essential travel to Korea, China, Iran, and Europe. But it’s important to note that the list is evolving daily. You can keep up to date about CDC travel advisories here.

Fortunately, if you decide to cancel a trip, most airlines, hotels, resorts, etc. have relaxed their cancellation policies.

How long until we get a Coronavirus vaccine?

Normal vaccine development takes an average of 10 to 15 years. Before approval in the United States, a vaccine must go through several phases of development, including research, animal testing, human clinical trials, and quality control. In the case of an epidemic like Coronavirus, the FDA expedites the process. Even still, it takes months to create, preliminarily test, and produce a vaccine.

Researchers predict it will be at least 8-10 months before we see a viable vaccine. So the current outbreak will likely be contained or concluded before we even have access to a vaccine. Plus, we need to take heed when using novel drugs en masse, as many of the most dangerous side effects of medicines and vaccines only present themselves in post-marketing surveillance.

When will the virus peak in the U.S.?

Unfortunately, there are just too many unknowns for experts to give us a definitive answer to the question regarding the peak of the Coronavirus. It’s fair to say it’s impossible to predict with any kind of precision at all when the peak is going to happen. However, some scientists suggest that, according to trends in China and other areas, we can expect a peak within the next 2-3 weeks (meaning early-mid April).

With travel bans, school closings, and other precautions to prevent the spread of the virus, we may see the number of cases decline sooner than that.

Should I avoid public places?

With the cancellation of large events across the country, people are wondering if they need to quarantine themselves at home. Experts suggest social distancing, which means avoiding close contact with groups of people. Even if you reside in an area where the virus does not appear to be actively spreading, you can’t be sure that public places are risk-free.

The best advice is to use caution. Don’t put yourself or your family at risk unnecessarily. If you need to get out, take precautions to avoid peak times at supermarkets and other areas. Be sure to wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your face while in public.

Kids cooped up? Take them for a walk outside or to another open-air setting devoid of crowds. Be sure to bring the anti-microbial wipes and guide children to wash their hands frequently as well.

Do I need to worry about my pets getting the virus?

There is currently very little evidence that cats or dogs can contract the virus. So far, there is only one documented animal case. A dog in Hong Kong tested positive for the virus, however it exhibited no symptoms and cleared the virus spontaneously.

What is the best way to protect myself from Coronavirus?

This is possibly the most important question regarding Coronavirus.

  • Wash your hands frequently.
  • Stay hydrated.
  • Avoid crowds.
  • Avoid sick people.
  • Get adequate sleep.
  • Take your vitamins.
  • Stick to a healthy diet.

Want more detail, check out Protecting Yourself from Coronavirus.

What if I Run Out of Toilet Paper?

The toilet paper craze is ridiculous. Panicked, uneducated shoppers everywhere put all of us at risk for getting caught with our pants down and nothing to use. What to do?

You may consider rationing your current stock of TP now. When all else fails, stock up on a few extra boxes of tissues or wipes in case of emergency. And worse case scenario, you could opt for using paper towels, newspaper, washrags, or just a good ol’ rinse with water.

Learn More

The Coronavirus brings a lot of questions and uncertainty. We have lots of articles to help guide you through some of the issues we’re all facing during this time.

Debunking the Myths About Coronavirus

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Everyone remain calm. The recent Coronavirus outbreak is disrupting life as we know it in significant ways. Is the widespread panic really necessary? To some degree, yes, it’s better to be safe than sorry. But the media has created a craze to the point that people are overreacting in ways that won’t even make a difference. It’s time to debunk some of the common myths surrounding Coronavirus.

The Current Toll of Coronavirus

As of the time of this writing, there are 1,297 confirmed cases of the Coronavirus in the U.S. and about 128,000 cases worldwide. (Keep in mind that well over half of these reported cases are from China alone.)

Schools and universities are preparing to close their doors and switch to online classes, workplaces are operating by teleconference, and people are canceling spring and even summer vacation plans. Public establishments are taking precautions to limit human contact and sanitize public areas, grocers fight to keep common household and disinfecting items in stock, and concerts and events everywhere are being canceled. . .the list goes on and on.

By all means, many of the recommendations include a healthy, proactive stance to protect us against the Coronavirus. But as with everything else, panic only causes people to overreact. Many of the common beliefs and recommendations surrounding the virus just don’t hold any water.

Myths About Coronavirus

Myth: Children are most susceptible to the virus.

This is simply not true. While children can get infected, the majority of reported infections involve people over the age of 65. Furthermore, most of the deaths resulting from Coronavirus are in people with chronic diseases, like heart disease, cancer, asthma, or diabetes. When infected, children are likely to have less severe symptoms and recover quickly.

Myth: Most people who get infected will need intensive medical care to save their lives.

Nope. More than 80% of cases do not require intervention at all, as the symptoms of the virus are self-limiting and most people heal on their own.

Myth: If you get infected, you will likely die.

The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention concluded that 80.9% of infections were mild. Newest estimates conclude that the virus is fatal in approximately 3-3.4% of cases. The truth is that most healthy people who get the virus will survive.

Myth: Cats and dogs spread coronavirus.

There is currently very little evidence that cats or dogs can contract the virus. So far, we’ve only heard of one animal case. A dog in Hong Kong tested positive for the virus, however it exhibited no symptoms and cleared the virus spontaneously.

Some of the confusion around this myth is because of the existence of both a canine coronavirus and a feline coronavirus. However, these illnesses are completely different strains of the virus and do not spread from animals to people.

Myth: Face masks are the best possible protection.

Most people do not wear masks correctly, and disposable masks are loose and do not form a tight seal around the mouth. They basically confer no protection. Plus face masks bring a false sense of security and make people feel that they no longer need to wash their hands.

The U.S. Surgeon General issued a statement on Twitter regarding face masks:

“Seriously people — STOP BUYING MASKS! They are NOT effective in preventing general public from catching Coronavirus, but if healthcare providers can’t get them to care for sick patients, it puts them and our communities at risk!”

Myth: Hand dryers kill coronavirus.

This is false. The best protection is washing your hands with soap and water. You can also use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% ethyl alcohol.

Myth: Drinking alcohol or bleach prevents or kills the coronavirus.

Nice try, but no. In fact, 44 people have died from drinking bootleg liquor in an attempt to kill coronavirus in Iran. Do not, under any circumstances, drink bleach people. It is more likely to kill you than any virus in your body.

Myth: Coronavirus is a gastrointestinal infection that necessitates purchasing of mass amounts of toilet paper for potentially severe diarrhea.

COVID-19 is a respiratory infection that very rarely causes diarrhea. Do not go out and buy massive amounts of toilet paper out of fear.

Myth: Antibiotics kill coronaviruses.

Antibiotics kill bacteria. They do not kill viruses. Period. Do not take antibiotics for this or any other virus.

Myth: You can catch coronavirus from eating Chinese food, or from contact with urine or feces.

This is not a food-borne illness. The primary means of infection is between people who are in close contact with one another. Because the virus is airborne, it also spreads through respiratory droplets. When an infected person coughs or sneezes, it lands on surfaces and waits for the next unlucky person to come in contact with the contaminated object.

Myth: COVID-19 is the deadliest virus we’ve ever seen. 

Not even close. Ebola, smallpox, HIV, and even influenza outrank Coronavirus for likelihood of death.

Myth: The Chinese government created the virus.

No, we’re giving humans a bit too much credit here. The virus likely spread from either bats or smuggled pangolins.

Myth: Flu and pneumonia vaccines protect against coronaviruses.

No. The virus is new and differs from the influenzas A and B that the flu shot targets. Researchers are currently working to develop a vaccine against COVID-19.

Oh. . . I could go on and on. If we all just calm down and use a little common sense, this will be okay.

Want to Learn Ways to Prevent Coronavirus that Actually Do Work?

Read Protecting Yourself from Coronavirus. Spoiler alert: wash your hands.

Dangers of Feminine Hygiene Products

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Women don’t spend a lot of time discussing what kinds or brands of feminine hygiene products they use. The topic is delicately avoided and mention of periods and feminine health send men —and even some women— squirming away from conversations. But it’s time we change that. It’s time we take a look at what we are exposing our bodies to each month during our cycles. Are you even aware of the dangers of most feminine hygiene products?

Permeability of Vaginal Mucosa

We know that our skin is our body’s largest organ. While our skin has effective mechanisms to protect against harmful chemicals, it is not fail-proof. So many factors affect how much of a substance gets through. Another consideration is that not all skin is the same. The delicate skin in and around the vagina is especially permeable.

We owe most of the protective qualities of our skin to keratinized epithelium. Keratin forms a tough, insoluble layer that protects our skin. Tougher areas of skin, say the elbows for example, have more keratin and are thus less permeable. Thinner, more fragile skin contains less keratin and is more permeable. This is why many dermal applications are most effective when applied to areas like the inside of the arms or thighs. These thin areas of skin have less keratin and allow better absorption of the medications.

The skin of the vagina differs from most areas on your body in that it has very little keratin at all. According to one extensive scientific review, the phrase “mucosal skin” is misleading, for skin is dry and covers areas outside the body, whereas mucosa is moist and lines body cavities. The term stratified squamous mucosa is more appropriate for the tissue in and around the vagina.

What’s more is that this vaginal mucosa is the most permeable skin in the human body. In fact, a flux test in which researchers examined the amount of water that passed through skin showed that vaginal skin is more permeable than the areas inside the cheek and under the tongue.

So all of this to say, your vagina is very absorptive. It soaks up pretty much everything you put in and around it. This makes it super important that we are aware of the chemicals in our feminine hygiene products and the dangers they present.

The Scary Truth

Before you go rushing to read the labels on your hygiene products, you should know: Because feminine hygiene products are considered medical devices, manufacturers are not required to disclose the ingredients. In fact, the Menstrual Products Right to Know Act of 2017 attempted to enact laws requiring manufacturers to provide ingredient lists on their packaging. Sadly, this bill was not approved.

What’s in Your Pads & Tampons?

Here’s a rundown of some of the most common ingredients contained in your feminine hygiene products.

Dioxins

According to the EPA, dioxins are highly toxic. They are known to cause cancer, reproductive and developmental problems, damage the immune system, and interfere with hormones. Most pads and tampons contain rayon. Dioxin is a byproduct of rayon. The FDA says trace amounts of dioxin are not of concern for human health. However, this does not take into consideration the vast permeability of the vagina, nor the fact that the average American woman will use up to 20,000 tampons and pads in her lifetime. Given these facts, how “acceptable” is that trace amount of dioxin?

Synthetic Fibers

Researchers report that highly absorbent synthetic fibers cause the production of large quantities of toxins absorbed by the vaginal mucosa. Synthetic fibers concentrate menstrual proteins more than natural cotton and provide the perfect environment for toxin production. 

Staph bacteria is normally present in the vagina. However, when the vagina becomes toxic, it allows the bacteria to get out of hand. The result is toxic shock syndrome (TSS), which is potentially fatal if not treated. Additionally, all tampons cause micro-tears in the vaginal wall when they are inserted and removed. These tears also increase susceptibility to infection and chemical absorption.

Fragrance

How about some good ol’ petrochemicals in your vagina? Ironically, fragrances in feminine hygiene products can actually cause foul odor. This is because the hundreds of unnamed chemicals in fragrances contribute to vaginosis and other infections. Scented pads and tampons disrupt the healthy bacterial flora of the vagina and make it more susceptible to infection. Worse yet, severe vaginosis can even lead to cervical cancer.

Other Chemicals

  • Phthalates – classified as reproductive and developmental toxicants.
  • Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) – linked to dizziness, skin irritation, allergic reactions, and kidney damage to kidneys and the central nervous system.

Is it Worth the Risk?

While the FDA chooses to turn a blind eye to the potential dangers of feminine hygiene products, many women say it is simply not worth the risk. Fortunately, we have various options when it comes to menstrual hygiene. Menstrual cups are gaining popularity, as are period underwear.

Women are more informed these days. We are learning to turn a skeptical eye toward marketing from major feminine hygiene brands. We are doing our research, and we are seeking alternatives. As we do so, the good news is that SO many women say they actually prefer these natural alternatives for period care.

Personally, I have been pleasantly surprised at the efficacy and comfort of Thinx underwear. They’re cute, but they’re also easy to wear, and they really do work. Plus, I feel better about making a healthier choice for my body.

Their organic cotton underwear is Organic Content Standards and Global Organic Textile Standard certified, and all the materials that go into Thinx, as well as the finished underwear itself, are OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified. Unlike many other companies, Thinx also discloses the materials in the gusset of the underwear on their website, so I know exactly what I’m wearing when I put on a pair.

Having a period solution that’s simple and safe should be the norm, and I’m happy I found a company that’s leading the way.

Want to learn more? Check out this post about my Thinx experience. Or just give them a try for yourself: Get a $10 discount on Thinx Panties for your next cycle.