5 ways to still look good working from home

So, you’ve been told to work from home for the foreseeable future. On the upside, your commute has been effectively reduced to the number of seconds it takes to go from the bed to, well, wherever your laptop is. The downside? You're finding it hard to gain the motivation to change out of your go-to PJs and pull yourself out from under your doona — and you're wondering: do you even have to?

Working from home is now being coined the ‘new normal’. Many modern professionals, and their retrospective companies, will choose to take on a much more flexible approach to the corporate environment in the months to come.

One of the perks of working from home is the comfort it brings of having the luxury to work from wherever you want but looking good can increase productivity, and be more professional if you’re on Zoom calls to clients all day. If you find yourself still wanting to look your best here are five of our favourite tips to help you do that.

There's a psychological reason why it's good to get dressed, even if you'll be in your home office (or on the couch) all day. Aside from the fact that you’ll look better for that Zoom meeting with your favourite client, getting dressed and ready for the day will help your mind to feel more productive and prepared to face whatever is waiting for you in your email inbox.

Different pieces of clothing can impact us in various ways, and those effects ultimately come down to two factors: how we look wearing the clothes and what the clothes symbolise for us. Items of clothing can indicate the ‘uniform’ of the role we are supposed to play in our day. It’s easy to want to stay in PJ’s all day, but dressing professionally will help you step into that ‘work’ role.

Whether you are a glasses wearer already, or not, all the time spent in front of screens and indoors under artificial light may be taking a serious toll on your eyes. Blue light is a high-energy light emitted from digital screens, some light bulbs, and even sunshine, which can cause headaches, eye strain and affect your sleep. One thing is for sure; when we feel bad, we look bad. Blue light blocking lenses can reduce the glare and limit the blue light that you are exposed to throughout the day, helping you to feel rested and refreshed.

Taking regular breaks is key to not only looking good but feeling good too. It can be tempting to think that you have to fill every minute of the day with ‘productive’ tasks, but making time for regular breaks is essential. Ensure you are blocking time to go outside, take a quick walk around your neighbourhood and do some exercise. Your body, your skin, and your mind will thank you!

When you’re at home, it can be tempting to find yourself reaching for the biscuit tin constantly. Preparing healthy food ahead of time, just as you would if you were heading into the office, ensures you can use your breaks to eat a proper meal meaning you’ll be less likely to experience that 3 pm slump and snack throughout the afternoon.