Almost 9 million employees in the United States work from home at least half the time, according to recent research from Global Workplace Analytics and FlexJobs.¹ That’s a 115 percent increase in the number of teleworkers in the past decade—and the trend shows no sign of stopping.

Working from home can save time and money on commuting, work clothing and lunches out. But it also presents the possibility of isolation and a lack of the support structures available in the office, such as IT help and the ability to discuss projects with team members in person. If you’re working from home, here are five actionable tips to maximize your nine to five.

1. Stick to a routine. 

Some people imagine that working from home means sleeping in or taking time for household chores, fitting in work when needed. But the people who use that approach likely won’t get much work done—or have a job for long. Consistently wake up early and stick to regular working hours so you can be available for your on-site team members.

2. Take care of yourself.

People who work from home often have more uninterrupted hours for getting work done—which can mean too much time sitting still at a desk. Productivity is great, but not at the expense of your health. Find time for exercise each day, even if it means fitting in a quick workout in your home office. Also, make sure you eat a nutritious diet. Try snacking on nuts, blueberries and strawberries, which can help you boost your productivity.

3. Dress for success.

Making sure you get dressed and ready each day will help you feel like and present yourself as a professional. This can be especially important for video conferences and impromptu meetings: You may not be in the office but your supervisor or your clients may still want to see your face. Make sure your surroundings are clean, organized and appropriate for work. Keep your work area free from clutter and you’re likely to work better.

4. Stay connected with your co-workers.

Take advantage of technology solutions to feel more connected and demonstrate that you’re actively involved with the team. For instance, it’s easy to use instant messaging (IM) to interact at your desk with co-workers. Opt for video calls and other opportunities to see your supervisors and co-workers face-to-face as often as you can, even if it’s electronically. These tools are easy to use and can go a long way in ensuring that you don’t become an overlooked member of your team.

5. Get social.

Keep your mental health in check by making it a point to get out and interact with friends or colleagues on a regular basis. Try scheduling a monthly happy hour or bi-weekly lunch date with co-workers. These outings may seem like they’re just for fun but they will energize you to keep producing good work when you’re working alone.

 
Unless otherwise indicated, this article was written by John Hancock, and is intended to promote awareness and is for educational purposes, only.
 
¹ Parris, J. (2017, June) “The state of telecommuting in the U.S. in 2017.” 1 Million for Work Flexibility. Retrieved from https://www.workflexibility.org/state-of-telecommuting-us-2017

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John Hancock Life and Long-term care insurance products are issued by: John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.), Boston, MA 02116 (not licensed in New York); and in New York by John Hancock Life Insurance Company of New York, Valhalla, NY 10595 (Life insurance) and John Hancock Life & Health Insurance Company, Boston, MA 02116 (Long-term care insurance). Vitality is the provider of the John Hancock Vitality Program in connection with Life insurance policies issued by John Hancock. 

Please consult your insurance agent as to product availability, additional information, costs, and complete details on coverage. Product availability, features, benefits and costs may vary by state. The life insurance policy describes coverage under the policy, exclusions and limitations, what you must do to keep your policy inforce, and what would cause your policy to be discontinued. 

Apple Watch program is not available in New York or Puerto Rico. Apple Watches ordered through John Hancock Vitality may not be shipped to addresses in Guam. Once you become a Vitality PLUS member and complete the Vitality Health Review (VHR), you can order Apple Watch by electronically signing, at checkout, a Retail Installment Agreement with the Vitality Group, for the retail price of the watch. After an initial payment of $25 plus tax, over the next two years, monthly out-of-pocket payments are based on the number of Standard Workouts (10,000 to 14,999 steps) and Advanced Workouts (15,000 steps) or the applicable Active Calorie thresholds. The step counts required for Standard and Advanced Workouts are reduced for members beginning at age 71+. One-time upgrade fees plus taxes apply if you choose (GPS + Cellular) versions of Apple Watch, larger watch case sizes, and certain bands and case materials. For more information, please visit JohnHancockInsurance.com. Apple is not a participant in or sponsor of this promotion. Apple Watch 6 and Apple Watch SE require iPhone 6s or later with iOS 14 or later. Apple Watch is a registered trademark of Apple Inc. All rights reserved.

Vitality Rewards may vary based on the type of insurance policy purchased for the insured (Vitality Program Member) and the state where the insurance policy was issued. John Hancock Vitality Program rewards and discounts are only available to the person insured under the eligible life insurance policy. Rewards and discounts are subject to change and are not guaranteed to remain the same for the life of the policy. 

Premium savings are in comparison to the same John Hancock policy without the Vitality program. Premium savings over the life of the policy will vary based upon policy type, the terms of the policy, and the level of participation in the John Hancock Vitality PLUS program. 

HealthyFood savings are based on qualifying purchases and may vary based on the terms of the John Hancock Vitality program. The HealthyFood program is currently not available in Guam. 

The HealthyMind (Headspace), Hotels.com and Amazon Prime benefits are not available in New York. In New York, entertainment, shopping, and travel rewards are not available and are replaced by healthy living and active lifestyle rewards. 

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Amazon Prime membership available to Vitality PLUS members who have reached Platinum Status for three consecutive program years.

The complimentary Amazon Halo device and three-year Halo membership are only available to new Vitality PLUS Members and are not available with policies issued in New York, Puerto Rico and Guam. At the end of the complimentary Amazon Halo health and wellness membership, charges will apply automatically to the credit card on file with Amazon.com unless the membership is opted out of. Amazon Halo allows Vitality members to earn Vitality Points for physical activity, Halo Sleep and Halo Labs. The Amazon Halo health and wellness membership is required in order to earn Vitality Points for Halo Sleep and the full suite of Halo Labs. Other features of Halo are not eligible for Vitality Points with the Vitality Program. Amazon and all related marks are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.

You must redeem your Amazon Prime Membership Code and agree to the Amazon Prime Terms and Conditions to qualify for Amazon Prime membership. Your Amazon Prime membership automatically renews for the membership fee in effect at the time of renewal plus applicable taxes. You may cancel at any time by visiting Your Account and adjusting your membership settings. Valid credit card required at time of registration if Amazon does not have one on file. Amazon Prime Membership Codes cannot be transferred or resold. For more information about Amazon Prime, visit amazon.com/prime. Amazon.com is not a sponsor of this promotion. 

Products or services offered under the Vitality Program are not insurance and are subject to change. There may be additional costs associated with these products or services and there are additional requirements associated with participation in the program. For more information, please contact the company at JohnHancockInsurance.com or via telephone at 888-333-2659.

Accessing a policy's potential cash value via loans and withdrawals will reduce the death benefit and the cash surrender value, and may cause the policy to lapse. Lapse or surrender of a policy with a loan may cause the recognition of taxable income. Withdrawals in excess of the cost basis (premiums paid) will be subject to tax and certain withdrawals within the first 15 years may be subject to recapture tax. Additionally, policies classified as modified endowment contracts may be subject to tax when a loan or withdrawal is made. A federal tax penalty of 10% may also apply if the loan or withdrawal is taken prior to age 59 1/2. 

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