Together At Home With Anna Newton

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If you have read her book An Edited Life or follow her on Instagram, you’ll already know that Anna Newton is a master of productivity. It’ll come as no surprise that Anna has perfected her working from home routine. From the beauty essentials that keep her skin hydrated and revived to her top tips for getting the trickier tasks done and staying focused, she takes us through her secrets for making it work…

My Workspace

For the most part I work from my desk during the week. It’s set up with a light to keep the area bright, I have my planner and a little speaker in case I want some background music. I always have water or squash within reach too. Although I’ve got a huge computer screen I do most of my work on the laptop. I like the flexibility of being able to work at the desk or the sofa or elsewhere depending on how I feel.

The Deskside Beauty Stash

I keep a few beauty products next to my stationary pots. Both Drunk Elephant’s F-Balm Electrolyte Waterfacial Hydrating Mask and Sisley Paris’ Black Rose Eye Contour Fluid are brilliant if, like me, your skin gets super dehydrated. I use the latter in the mornings and evenings, but I keep it on my desk to top-up throughout the day. 

If you are working from home, it’s a really good time to utilise an overnight mask. I quite like slathering on Drunk Elephant’s F-Balm during the day and then rinse it off after work. It makes a huge difference. 

I also keep Dr. Barbara Sturm Hydrating Face Mist on my desk to spritz throughout the day. My friend recommended Kora Organics’ Noni Glow Face Balm to me, it’s a moisturising oil in a balm stick, so you don’t even need to use your fingers. We have a giant size Aesop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm in the bathroom, but I like to keep a smaller one of my desk too. With us all washing our hands so much more, this is great for keeping your hands moisturised and it smells amazing. 

Aromatherapy Associates Forest Therapy Wellness Mist is perfect for those stressful moments when you just need a little bit of calm and By Terry’s Baume de Rose Lip Care, which I’ve used for years, is a desk essential for keeping your lips hydrated.

How I Plan My Time…

When you’re working from home it is so important to establish some kind of routine. I would suggest waking up at the same time as you usually do and continuing to fulfil everything you would normally do i.e. having breakfast, showering and stretching or working out if that’s something you usually do. 

Establishing windows of time for work throughout the day really helps me. I’m an early bird, so I tend to focus on any high priority tasks or things I think I might struggle with in the morning and I try to work from 9am to 12pm solidly with a couple of short breaks.

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Treat Yourself At Lunch…

I highly recommend treating yourself to a really nice lunch. You don’t have to queue for the microwave or the toaster. You can even use the oven! I tend to prep food the night before so that it’s all ready to go and I don’t have to waste time chopping, but either way you should enjoy a nice, nutritious lunch. I spent too many years working from home eating biscuits glued to my laptop and I can tell you that eating well and taking a break from work will make you feel so much more productive. 

The Afternoon Shift…

After lunch I try to work from 1pm to 5pm, depending on my workload and schedule, but then I cut off and put my laptop away. I really like to have a little wander and break off from work – whether you take a short walk or stream a HIIT class. Whatever you decide it’s important to pack away your workspace or close the door on that room, so you can relax and enjoy your evening.

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Break Time Tips…

One of my biggest tips for working from home is to remember to take plenty of breaks. I’ve got a few tips for keeping on top of this:

  • Every time I run out of water I go and fill it up. Not only does it keep me hydrated, it also forces me to move around.
  • Keep your Kindle or book nearby and read for 10 minutes every hour or so to give your eyes a rest. I find this works as a break and a little reset throughout the day. 
  • Take a beauty break and apply some lip balm, or hand cream, or even go to the bathroom and apply a face mask. I’ve got a pair of exfoliating foot socks that I want to try this week. Whatever it is, you just want to be taking a short break and a self-care moment.