Times are changing. Fast.

If you’ve never worked from home before, the chances are you’re about to get very well acquainted with it. At 9-2-3, we know a lot about home working – the good, and the not-so-good. But don’t worry: we’re not going to patronise you with unsolicited advice about how to ‘do it well’.

Rather, we’d like to share a few things that we’ve implemented this week, and in return, we’d love to hear how you and your staff are coping right now.

As we all work hard to stay afloat – and healthy - over the coming months, a supportive, collaborative business community will be vital.

Get yourself connected.

Isolation. It can creep in if you let it, and it’s a concern for all of us right now.

To combat cabin fever, we’ve started to schedule in a virtual meeting each morning at 9.30am through google hang outs (or Facetime, whatsapp, skype, Zoom) so we can check in with each other.

We also schedule in a virtual coffee break at 11am, each day, also through google hang outs. It doesn’t matter if you can’t all connect, but that human interaction can really be a game changer. No work chat (unless you really want to!), but for us it’s more what’s good on Netflix, which Hello Fresh dinner you ate last night, and which supermarkets have toilet roll and Calpol.

Give your mind a hug.

"A lot of anxiety is rooted in worrying about the unknown and waiting for something to happen - coronavirus is that on a macro scale," says Rosie Weatherley, spokesperson for mental health charity Mind. Given that these are uncertain times, anxiety is an understandable reaction to an unprecedented situation. However, there are practical things you can do to protect your mental health.

Move it.

Sitting at home, glued to a laptop for hours on end isn’t good for anyone. At 9-2-3 we’re an active bunch, and with a few half marathons, triathlons and some yoga expertise between us, stagnation is to be avoided if possible. Even if it’s just pottering in the garden, the outdoors is there, free of charge. Plus, the National Trust have just announced that their parks and gardens are open free of charge.

Down time.

When your usual finishing time arrives, turn off your phone and laptop, and close the door on your working responsibilities. Working at home does NOT mean working non-stop. Unless we reset ourselves physically and mentally, work stresses and financial worries will start bleeding into our family life, which becomes toxic. So – take a break. You’ll be more productive, creative and motivated.

Creating space.

A desk is great, and a home office is even better – but for many of us, that’s not an option. Our team are currently working at the kitchen table, in the dining room, on the sofa… Most of which flies in the face of best practice advice, but home working isn’t all about insta-perfect workspaces. And 9-2-3 are all about disrupting convention anyway! Our Social Media Manager, Jenna, who works 100% remotely, also swears by some fresh flowers to brighten up her desk. Most of us have a steady supply of coffee, chocolate and podcasts (we have some great ones). These little things can make a small difference (especially given the current situation).