During COVID-19, many people suddenly had the "bliss" of working from home. No commute? No more supermarket sandwiches for lunch, hastily gobbled over desks?

Being able to work and have "Game of Thrones" on in the background? Lovely!

Though many still prefer it today, millions discovered the pitfalls of working from home during the pandemic.

Working from home was simultaneously more manageable and challenging for some people with chronic illnesses. While many ditched the commute, just as many missed workplace socialisation. Some used the comfort of home to push themselves beyond capacity, leading to exhaustion and fatigue.

Whether you’ve chosen to stay at home, go back to the office, or work on a hybrid schedule, there is always room for improvement.

If you still haven’t mastered working from home as effectively as you’d like, don’t panic! Here are my top nine tips for working from home, tailored for those who may live with a chronic illness.

Working from home has been my “norm” for 12 years

After being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), I had to change my working schedule and environment. As a result, I was working from home years before the COVID-19 pandemic.

I'm a translator and an analyst for a business intelligence company. I translate Spanish- language business press into English to help companies develop their strategies. I had already worked at the company for four years when I was diagnosed with MS. Now, it's been almost seventeen years.

I've been able to continue working full-time due to my transition from being office-based to home-based. This was due to my symptoms – fatigue was making commuting increasingly difficult and seriously affecting my productivity.

The transition was gradual – starting with two days from home and increasing it over several years to working the full five days from home.

How I work (well) from home

What has helped me to work from home effectively? These are my top tips for staying productive and healthy if you’re faced with bringing your office into your home.

1. Set and stick to a routine

I try to treat working from home the same as being in the office regarding discipline. In normal circumstances, many of us cannot turn up to the office at whatever time we like or at different times each day. This should be no different when you work from home.

For example, your overall working hours might change to accommodate when you're most productive and have considered the lack of a commute. However, you should try to stick to the same schedule every day.

Not only should this help you to get into the “work zone”, but it also helps others in your household to understand when you shouldn’t be disturbed.

2. Technology is your friend, so make use of it!

Unlike today, when I started to work from home, we didn't have the vast array of digital tools that enabled us to seamlessly bring the office into our homes.

Nowadays, I use information-sharing apps such as Zoom, Slack, Yammer, Office 365, Google Calendars, and Skype (just to mention a few). These help me coordinate with team members, stay connected, and facilitate remote access to company servers.

If you're unsure of anything "techy", don't be afraid to ask for help. There's lots of information and advice, whether from your organisation's IT support or crowdsourced help from social media. I find that LinkedIn can be beneficial when it comes to business- related technology questions.

Finally, properly utilising these tools means having a fast, stable broadband connection and a strong Wi-Fi signal.

3. Create the right working environment

Ergonomics are just as important at home as they are in the office. Ensure you have the correct equipment and gadgets to facilitate good work practices. This might include a good desk chair, a keyboard rest and a screen protector if you're mainly working on a computer. If you’re on the phone a lot, it might include a headset and a hands-free device.

If you live with MS, like me, there might be specific tools you need because of your symptoms. For example, if your manual dexterity isn’t great, dictation software will help to reduce the need to type.

If possible, try to have your workspace in a separate area of the house with plenty of natural light – I have a small office at home. If this isn't possible, and you're working in a bedroom or on the kitchen table, try to differentiate between your "work time" and "non- work time." This could mean setting yourself up slightly differently when you're working.

This might be as simple as packing away your laptop and all your work papers when you’re done.

If you do have an office at home, make it a pleasant environment to be in. I've decorated mine with photos, certificates and other bits and pieces. It means I enjoy sitting in there.

4. Set boundaries for other people at home

When friends found out I was working from home, many thought it meant I would be available to chat or meet up whenever I wanted. My family also thought it meant that if we needed something at home, like the boiler service being done, I could just “take a break” to deal with it.

While working from home can give some people more flexibility, depending on work hours and the type of job, it's not necessarily the case for everyone. I have my set working hours, and between those times, I don't expect to be disturbed any more than I would be if I was at the office.

Be clear about the boundaries so you can get on with your work when you need.

5. Get up and get moving

It can be very easy to get caught up with work at home. There isn't the opportunity to get up and have a chat with a colleague, walk to a different department to get some information, or even the chance to pop over to the vending machine to buy a snack.

Unless I consciously make an effort to move away from my work, I can quickly lose track of time.

Whenever possible, try to move around if you can. If I’ve been working at my computer for a while and then need to make a phone call, I’ll get up and walk about while I’m on the call.

If the weather is nice, I'll take a five-minute stroll around the garden. Anything to get the blood circulating and stop my legs from going to sleep!

6. Stay hydrated and eat well

It's tempting to reach for the fridge or the store cupboard door much more frequently when temptation's near. However, just as it's essential to have a routine with your work schedule, it's also important to have a pattern for eating and drinking.

I have set times when I eat, including meals and snacks. I don’t keep unhealthy snacks around. If they’re not there, there’s no temptation to eat them!

One advantage of working from home is that I’m not as worried about the bladder issues that I experience as a symptom of MS.

I actually drink much more now than when I was in the office because I don't have to worry about whether I can get to the bathroom or not.

7. Avoid feeling isolated

Coffee breaks were more than just getting something to drink when working in the office.

They were a time to catch up with colleagues and interact socially. This disappears when you're working from home, and it's very easy to become isolated, particularly if your job is quite solitary.

I can go the entire day without physically speaking to anyone at work. It's just not a part of my job.

To help overcome the lack of social interaction, setting up virtual coffee breaks can be a good way of staying connected with colleagues. I also ensure I attend all meetings (albeit virtually), even the optional ones.

It means people remember I'm part of the organisation. I also try to develop hobbies that get me out of the house and socialise with others.

8. Stay firm - when you’re done, you’re done

It's essential to switch off when you're working from home. Otherwise, you can constantly feel like you're on call. When you've finished for the working day, shut down your computer, put away any work-related items and close the door on your working day. Some people find sending an email to colleagues to say you're done for the day can be helpful.

Switch off notifications for work emails, and if you have a separate work mobile phone, turn it to silent or switch it off if you're able to. If you're unable to and something comes up, ask yourself: does it need your attention now, or can it wait until tomorrow?

Having time to recharge appropriately is so important. It's deceptively easy to slip into a habit of working all the time.

9. Finally, do what works for you

There is lots of advice about the "do's and don'ts" of homeworking. However, there isn't a one-size fits all solution. Many people say to avoid working in your pyjamas, for instance.

However, I'm most productive in the mornings. So, I get up early and, admittedly, start working in my pyjamas. I will shower and change late morning because I know by then I will need a break and something to "wake me up" when fatigue kicks in.

I realise, however, that some people don't feel they're in the right frame to work unless they're showered, properly dressed and have breakfast in their stomachs.

It might take some trial and error, but finding what works for you is key to sustaining productive homeworking in the long run.