Work From Here: Hand Luggage Only’s top “Work From Here” tips

“So much has changed this year! From wearing masks and washing our hands to spending a lot more time at home. All of which we’ve all had to get used to and adapt with, especially when working from our kitchen or living room. So, to help, we wanted to share some ways to make the most of working from places you love, whilst also keeping up with those niggly office emails.

Fancy working from the middle of a national park, or in a new city? Well luckily, Work From Here is the new Work From Home. You can switch up your own scenery by making your work-days work for you! I mean, as long as you’re following governmental advisories and protocols, what’s stopping you from working elsewhere or considering future trips to make the most of this time and enjoying yourself in the process?

You see, if you’re anything like us, you’ll have already had a few “swallow me up” moments whilst knuckling down at home. Sound familiar? You know, moments of accidentally unmuted conference calls, virtual team-meets in pajamas to house-squabbles on who’s having the “comfy chair” for the day, it’s been tough! This “new normal” has given us all a lot of firsts and sometimes you just need a change of scenery.

This is where working remotely, in sumptuous properties, hotels and retreats really helps; especially as you can partner these in regions (whilst following governmental advice) that you’ll love most. So, to help you break those home working shackles and switch-up your out of office set-up, we wanted to share some easy-to-implement tips and tricks to hop on a workcation that’ll suit every type of travel-hungry champion! So, what are you waiting for, get those bags ready, check governmental advice and head to places that are right up your street!

After all, who says you can’t make your ‘Work From Here’ daydreams a reality trip.

1. Productivity thrives on switching off

It might sound counterintuitive but productivity really does thrive when you know how and when to switch off.

We’ve all been there, we’ve been slogging away on the laptop for hours and feel like we’ve made no headway on our daily priorities. Or, you’ve just found yourself coasting throughout the day, with no real motivation to excel. Sound like you?

To keep that productivity flowing, be sure to really demarcate your time of when you’re in work-mode and when you’re not. Take clear lunch breaks, actively choose tea-breaks and time away from the laptop. You’ll need to be strict here, but it’ll really give the opportunity to allow your mind to wander, relax and take a break from the pressures of working from home.

Thinking of taking a break? Head for a workcation within London’s Corinthia Hotel. Not only is situated within an enviable location right in the heart of the city, it’s also got one of the best spas in all of London and free bikes to hire after a day of working in the cocktail bar or meeting rooms.

2. Go green

This is a total win when you’re working from home, especially when working days and weeks can roll into one, within the same four walls.

Yes, it can be too easy to postpone or pushback a stroll in nature as an unnecessary waste of time. After all, when working on deadlines, your time is precious. You see – spending time in nature has been found to help with anxiety, depression and improving one’s mood. Even on a crisp winter day, a good stroll or wander can have positive effects.

A great place to lap up those countryside vibes has to be at The Peacock at Rowsley that’s within the UK’s oldest national park, the Peak District. With free wifi in all rooms and an onsite restaurant serving homemade dishes, it’s a totally lovely place to stay. Plus, it’s a pet-friendly property if you fancy bringing your furry friend with you.

So what are you waiting for? Head out and blow those cobwebs away!

3. Be comfortable

We’ve all had to hastily create new home workspaces for ourselves in rather a slap-dash fashion. This means that comfort has often been a back burner to getting on with it all.

Think about it, how many times you’ve taken a Zoom call crouched over the bed, fashioned some sort of work desk out of side tables or plumped your laptop on your lap with cushions? Yeah, it’s a new way of working and we’re all learning to navigate this new space as we go along.

Now, it’s likely you don’t have your snazzy ergonomic chair, drinks dispenser or another member of the team bringing in a cake for a birthday but that doesn’t mean you can’t be comfortable.

Make sure to overhaul your work routine to be as comfortable as possible. If habits have you Zoom slouching, then change it up. Find a new place that makes you more comfortable and embrace these as workspaces.

Don’t be afraid to switch things up with a change in scenery, with cosy stays away. The Royal Oak in Tetbury is one such place that’s great for this, especially within one of its six rooms and centuries-old bar that serves up some delicious British favourites. Plus, it has free parking, internet and a full breakfast making it easy for you to focus on work and play.

4. Stick to a routine

Working from home often means that days can just blur into one. Before, you might have had a clear log-off time when you left the office but this just doesn’t happen in the same way when you’re at home. These times blur and this is exactly where routines can help.

Try your best to stick to a particular time to wake up on a weekday, the time you’ll grab lunch or when you’ll pop out on that walk we spoke about.

It’s often said that variety is the spice of life (and that’s certainly the case) but structure and routine can help when we’re all working in what can be a tumultuous new environment. It allows you to build focus and structure your days much easier.

A great hotel for this is the Sandman Signature Aberdeen Hotel that has its own business centre and meeting rooms to book out for allotted times and really keep that routine in check. Plus, it has the added benefit of being in Aberdeen so there’s ample opportunity to explore places like Crathes Castle after you’ve closed your laptop.

5. Get the tools for success

Working from home, on this scale at least, is new to most of us! This means we’re all learning on the fly and trying to make the best of the situation as it develops.

For instance, if your internet connection isn’t the most reliable, request an Internet access device or dongle that’ll allow you to work from other areas. This way, you’re not confined to your room or bad internet to work well.

Also, make sure to toggle Expedia’s ‘business-friendly’ filter whilst searching for properties to stay. This takes all the stress out of scouring the web for those essential business facilities (like Wi-Fi and breakfast). Let the experts at Expedia do the research and find those properties that are right for you. It’s much less stress.

Plus, this will also give you the opportunity to change your surroundings and head to places like The Wood Norton. Nestled in countryside around Evesham, it’s a beautiful period property that’s totally equipped with all the mod-cons to work remotely whilst also having the luxury of roll top baths, fine-dinning and the Cotswolds about 15-minutes away.

6. Feed your wanderlust

Spending months working from home can get you craving new surroundings! Remember, workcations, whilst following governmental advice, can be a great way to shake up your environment and really make the most of new workspaces whilst also having free time to explore in your own time.

What’s stopping you working from the park, lakeside? In a castle? It’s a great way to get yourself on a work-cation and have the best of both worlds. A great place to work but also a great place to explore.

Speaking of castles, Amberley Castle is a centuries-old castle that’s totally perfect for a workcation. After working from within the castle grounds or meeting rooms, you’ll be able to cosy up with their log fires, four-poster beds and tasty room service menu for the most relaxing evenings.

7. Don’t be afraid to change

If something isn’t working, change it. We’re all making comprises to work from home and sometimes that means we’ve had to deal with uncomfortable working conditions, workloads or unsustainable working practices.

We’ve all dealt with short term stress at the office but as our time working from home increases, these stresses have changed. Be sure to identify working-from-home patterns that help you most and don’t be afraid to switch things up and reach out to your teams to make it work.

Beyond that, we all need little treat at times, so don’t be afraid to switch things up and plan a trip in the future. A trip is always something so nice to look forward to and you can even keep your eyes peeled for a great deal if you book in advance. If you fancy a little getaway, head over to the Principal in York that’s got everything from spa services, business centres and gorgeous terraces and gardens to work from here.

So, what are you waiting for? Check in with the boss, get those emails whittled down and get cracking on your search to find the perfect work from here trip. And, as always, make sure to check in and follow government regulations and stay safe on any future travels. If you need some further information, check out Expedia’s handy COVID-19 resource page.”