One of the greatest challenges facing many people during any crisis which necessitates self-isolation is working from home. At first, the idea may seem appealing. You have all your home comforts and the opportunity to organize your own time. But for many, the reality is that working from home in isolation from colleagues and without the technical infrastructure of the office, can be difficult. Add to that the logistical and interpersonal complications of trying to focus when you have the family at close quarters, and you have a potential disaster on your hands.

The good news is that you can adapt. It's a matter of anticipating the challenges and taking positive steps to mitigate against the difficulties you may face. The following five tips are tried-and-tested ways to ease the stress of working from home and enable you to maximize your productivity and well-being in this challenging time.

1. Create a Work Routine and Stick to It

You may be tempted to over-indulge in the freedom that working from home seems to offer you. After all, the idea that you can work while you're still in your PJs has a certain appeal. But you'll do better if you keep to a more focused regime. Set up a workspace at home, even if it's just a corner of the kitchen table. Get up and get dressed and "go to work" at the same time you would normally. You'll need to make it clear to your family that although you're at home, you're not available during working hours. Remember you're in lock down, not on holiday!

2. Structure Your Work Time

While you are at the office, you may rely on your supervisor or others to structure your day for you. At home, even if your management still tasks you with specific objectives, you may need to be more proactive in managing your time. Creating hour-by-hour schedules and prioritized to-do lists will help keep you on track. Ideally, set up the following day's work the night before so you don't waste time procrastinating in the morning.

3. Be a Team Player

During a crisis, remember that you're not the only one being affected. The impact of the situation, particularly isolation, hits every level of the organization you work for and everyone in it. One way to off-set your own anxiety while supporting the efficiency and progress of your business is to take special care to consider the difficulties others may be facing and to look for ways to help. That may be as simple as checking in with a colleague via telephone, video messaging, or email, or filing suggestions with management for ways to improve and integrate business processes into the new working conditions. Being a team player will help your organization, your colleagues, and you.

4. Schedule and Attend Online Meetings

Physical isolation while working from home shouldn’t mean a complete lack of personal contact with others working in your organization. Video conferencing technologies such as Skype, Zoom, and even WhatsApp, make it easy to schedule real-time, face-to-face meetings. Making sure to schedule meetings and attend any meetings scheduled for you is important not only to keep your business running smoothly but also for your mental health and emotional well-being while working in isolation.

5. Be Kind to Yourself and Go Easy on Your Family

It's vital during any time of transition and adjustment to treat yourself with the kindness and respect you'd show to others in a similar situation. You don't need to be a hero. Accept that sometimes it will be tough, that you may not find it easy, and cut yourself some slack.

If you're working at home with your partner and the kids around too, be ready for distractions such as sibling conflicts and unwanted background noise during a business call. Talk to your family members about your needs and listen to theirs. Plan strategies together that try to respect everyone's needs. Clear communication and involvement will make things easier for everyone concerned.

For some, working remotely will not be a new experience. Others who have never worked from home before may find it liberating. For most it will be hard, at least at first. But like any challenge at work, anticipating potential problems and adopting a positive outlook and problem-solving approach will help ease the burden and stress. Implement the five strategies above and you'll make it easier to adapt to working from home. You may even find that you enjoy it!