One of the biggest changes this year is the widespread shift to remote work. From multinational corporations to small businesses, virtually everyone has allowed their employees to work from home. It signalled a change in everybody’s routine. You no longer have to work extra early to prepare for the morning commute. Instead, you can just wake up and turn on the computer to start working. While it’s certainly more convenient, it doesn’t mean that it’s necessarily better.
In fact, a survey has found that 69% of the workforce are experiencing burnout while working from home. This is why it’s important to try to maintain a clear division between a person’s personal and work life. One way to do that is by dressing the part during office hours. It’s better for meetings and you’ll continue at least a part of your routine pre-pandemic.
Here’s how you can look professional as you work from home:
1. Pay Attention to Your Oral Health
Nothing is as embarrassing as having something stuck in your teeth while you’re speaking up in a meeting. It’s even worse when it’s an online conference. The video app puts your face front and center and everyone is looking at you. To avoid any embarrassing virtual moments, make sure to prioritize your dental health.
Schedule a trip to a quality dentist to have your teeth whitened and checked. You won’t just have your teeth cleaned but also inspected for any condition. Besides an appointment with the doctor, you can make sure that your teeth are in top shape by brushing correctly. Follow the recommendations of the American Dental Association (ADA) and brush twice a day for two minutes. Don’t forget to change the angles to get every side. You should also be using toothbrush and toothpaste that has been approved by the ADA.
2. Style Your Hair
While you’re miles away from the office, it’s easy to get away with tying your hair in a ponytail and going about your day. For guys, you can just push your hair in one side and be done with it. But it’s important to take care of your hair even if you’re not leaving the house. First, it affects your physical health. If you don’t wash your hair enough, it can lead to preventable diseases.
Also, your hair is one of the first things that people will notice on the screen. If it looks clean and well-kept, it will give an instant impression of professionalism. You’ll give your co-workers the idea that you didn’t let the lockdown interfere with your daily routine. You still take care of yourself, with or without the stay-at-home order. On the other hand, if your hair looks like it’s just been swept away, it’ll give an impression of lack of motivation.
3. Dress Up
You don’t have to wear a coat and tie or a blazer and a blouse at home if you don’t want to. But avoid donning your pajamas while you’re working, especially during meetings. While they may be comfortable, they also serve as a reminder that your room is just a few steps away. It will be hard to focus on work when you know that you can easily relax and take a nap.
Try to wear something that looks business casual. A nice sweater or polo shirt will do. You can also change into jeans or skirt. It’s one way to maintain a boundary between your work and personal life. Plus, it also makes the transition back to the office easier because you’re maintaining your routine.
It may be surprising but working from home can be just as exhausting as working in the office. To ease the stress, maintain a boundary between your time at work and your free time. You can do so by dressing the part.