For the last 2 years I’ve predominantly worked from home office managing full time post-graduate study, board positions and 7 other jobs. My wife also works from home in her own art studio. Here are a few tips I have found helpful, which could apply to those of you teaching online or if you're working from home.
Get outside each day
Chunk your tasks into short 30mins sections. (Set a timer on your phone). This includes answering emails.
Doing lots of tasks simultaneously reduces your overall effectiveness. Multitasking just slows you down and your brain can take up to 10mins to refocus after an interruption. (eg text, kid, email)
Make a to-do list so you aren’t constantly thinking about what you need to do at all hours of the day and night.
During the day, practice the 20-20-20 rule to reduce eyestrain. Every 20 mins spend 20 seconds looking at something 20 metres away.
Turn your phone onto flight mode if you find yourself getting constantly interrupted.
Turn off social media/news feeds
Divide your goals into ‘must do’ and ‘stretch’. The stretch goals are the nice to get done, but not vital today.
I’ve seen a number of posts by friends who are teachers trying to juggle teaching and their home situation this week. Just don’t try and do it. Lower your expectations, (and those of your senior leadership team).
For the coming weeks:
Take a break each weekend away from your screen, and do it every weekend.
Only answer school emails during the school day.
Enjoy the probably rare opportunity to take a lunch-break away from your ‘desk’ when you are doing online teaching.