Now that your routine has changed to you leaving the house as little as possible, it is still important to have a routine. Here are some top tips to get the most out of your day, whether you are working from home or not!

1. Getting dressed changes your mindset

Simple things such as washing and getting dressed will not only improve your state of mind, it will psychologically prepare you to start the day.

Just like changing out of work clothes when you come home, that process starts the mindset of winding down and tells your brain subconsciously that the working day is over. Similarly, getting up in the morning and wearing respectable clothes increases motivation.

Nearly everyone at Shenton group that is office-based is now working from home. Every morning our sales and marketing team have a video call, everyone is wearing a uniform, and we discuss our plans for the day. One – discussing our plans for the day makes us accountable. Two – wearing something smart is such a simple thing to do to set you up for the day mentally. Plus we are still having sales meetings and contact with clients, so it is handy to be looking presentable for those video meetings. 

2. If you are working from home establish boundaries 

If you are able to work from home, it is essential to be strict with the hours you work, keep to the hours you would work in the workplace. This helps to give your day structure and keeps you focused. 

Having a dedicated workspace that keeps distractions to a minimum also helps keep the right mindset. When it comes to your workspace, ideally you would have a properly adjusted desk and chair, similar to your workplace.

3. Get out and exercise (if you’re not self-isolating)

You should try and get outdoors and enjoy the fresh air once a day. It doesn’t help anyone’s mental well being staying cooped up inside all day. 

A different perspective will also help undo mental blocks and give you a fresh pair of eyes for any tasks you’re struggling with. It has also been proven that people who exercise get better sleep.

4. Pick up the phone or video call

If you’re working from home, then chances are you’ll be alone, so you won’t get the usual distractions of colleagues or office noises. Whilst at work, you are more likely to interact with colleagues, whereas when working from home, you might not speak to anyone all day which can be isolating.

Make a conscious effort to check-in with colleagues and friends for a chat. Nowadays, it is quite common for people to hide behind a screen to communicate. Pick up the phone and have a real conversation; the sound of someone’s voice is much more stimulating and can be more productive than numerous emails.

To keep morale up, once a day some of our teams across the company meet on Skype to catch up. It is a great way to keep that team spirit and enthusiasm. Not to mention, most of us are very social and miss the office buzz.

5. Take regular breaks

Research has found that short breaks throughout the day are more beneficial than less frequent, longer breaks. You need to get up and have some time away from your screen to rest your eyes and stretch your legs, just as you would in the workplace. Even if you are not working from home, it is good to switch up what you are doing and move around.

6. Keep hydrated and eat healthily

It is very easy to slip into the trap of eating junk food on the sofa if you can’t go outside. Everyone knows that junk food causes our blood sugar levels to spike and fall, leaving you very sluggish and tired. Try to eat a healthy balanced diet and drink water regularly. It will do wonders for your mood and waistline!

7. Do something positive in your free time

As the majority of our time is now spent in our houses, what tasks could you tick off at home? Everyone has jobs that they have been putting off. Maybe there is handy work around the house to do. Perhaps you have wanted to upskill with an online course but have never had the time. Here is a list of positive things to do at home that seem quite simple, but we often forget the moment some free time occurs. Let’s use this time wisely!

• Call and re-connect with old relatives 
• Build a family tree
• Decorate
• Sort out the garden
• grow your own fruit and veg
• Do an online course – Learn something new!

Maybe you would just like to kick back relax and finally start reading that book you have had on the shelf for years. Take some time for you. Connect with the loved ones that you live with. If you have kids, create fun games and activities to do together as a family. This is the time that we crave for whilst we are at work, so let’s make the most of it! 

All of the things that we have discussed above will help you in creating a new and positive routine as well as help keep your mind and body in check. Initially, it might seem challenging, but if you stick at it, it will soon become your norm.

Good luck, and stay safe. 

From all of us here at Shenton Group.

At a time of heightened anxiety in the UK, we felt it wise to be clear as to the current activities that Shenton Group are involved in, and how these comply with the Government instructions. 

Shenton Group has a dedicated team including Board and Senior Management members constantly watching all developments with regards to the current Covid-19 pandemic and the various restrictions put in place by the British Government. 

We maintain, monitor, and take responsibility for a number of Generators and CHP’s on key NHS sites, Education Campus’, National Water Boards, and Data Centres, all of which are regarded as sectors of National Importance. These sectors rely on having back-up power available 24/7/365 to assist in a time of a power outage. 

A number of clients have identified Shenton Group as key supply partners at this time and have requested that we remain open and operating. Therefore Shenton Group’s engineers are operating around the country on these key sites, albeit in slightly reduced number. 

Regards, 

Jody B. Meek 
Managing Director 

The self-isolation measures in place due to the Coronavirus outbreak mean that many people will be set up to work from home, which may put more pressure on our energy networks and our power supplies.

Demands on our Critical Infrastructure

Despite the challenges that arise due to the Coronavirus, many businesses will continue to operate to their best ability in these unusual circumstances. This will involve many employees working from home rather than sharing large communal office spaces.

Homeworking does increase the demand for our energy networks compared to the normal requirements of workers using office areas, where both heating and electricity come from shared supplies. However, energy suppliers such as Scottish Power “point out that it is not that much different to Christmas time when most of the population takes a couple of days off”*. A period of working from home should be manageable but with the uncertainty of how long this remote way of working will be recommended, it could put a strain on telecommunication centres and other energy suppliers.

*BBC News Scotland

Lessons from Europe

In Germany, the association of local utilities (VKU) stated that the ‘Energy supply currently is neither in danger nor impaired’.** Grid operators are taking the same precautions as advised for any employee in order to minimise the infection risk, without compromising the service levels provided.

**Clean Energy Wire

In addition, the shutdown of sporting events, mass gatherings, social events, pubs, bars and cinemas will also equate to less power used on the continent, with similar measures coming into force in the UK. Manufacturing is also likely to be scaled back and even halted as businesses look to minimise the risk of their employees becoming unwell.

Energy & Communication More Important Than Ever

Nationally the country will need to work collaboratively to contain the pandemic and both power and internet connectivity will be relied upon to enable people to work and operate remotely in isolation. Businesses will depend on the power networks to continue providing a service and to remain connected and informed of any internal updates.  

Constant power supplies for hospitals and healthcare locations will be imperative and Shenton Group will remain operational in order to support all of our customers, no matter which sector they operate in.

Stakeholder Notification – Coronavirus Contingency Plan

With the ever-increasing concerns around Coronavirus (Covid-19), our top priority at Shenton Group is the health and safety of our staff and customers.

We have robust contingency plans in place and a dedicated team who are responsible for monitoring the situation and implementing the plans as necessary. We have implemented the advice of the authorities across our 5 offices, as well as put measures in place to ensure our remote and field-based staff are compliant. We have remote working capabilities in place for 50% of our staff covering all key roles, and this capability will be further increased in the coming days.

If you are aware of infection in your immediate area, and we have an engineer or representative due to visit you in the coming days, please help us contain the virus by informing us prior to the visit. In these instances, we may have to make alternative arrangements.

We want you to know that we are doing all we can to support our staff and customers should the spread of the virus escalate.

We wish you all the very best in your business and trust this disruption is short-lived for the benefit of all.

Best Regards,

Jody Meek
Managing Director
Shenton Group