The moving and storage industry has always been fast-paced, and with the not-so-recent boom in remote work, fueled by the COVID pandemic then and now with the rise of more and more technology, a whole new set of boxes (get it?) has been thrown into the mix. And, while some tried-and-true wellness practices translate to remote work, there are others that don’t translate quite as easily, such as team bonding lunches or after-work drinks with coworkers, just to name a few. So, what are some remote-friendly practices you can employ to ensure you stay connected with coworkers globally, all while making sure the lines between “life” and “work” don’t become blurrier than a poorly packed box?

As a remote worker myself (going on three years), I’ve found that there are plenty of ways to stay mentally sharp, maintain that all-important bond with coworkers, and to create that “work-life balance”—it just requires a bit of creativity.

My boss and I, for example, have found a delightful little ritual to break up the day and add a dash of friendly competition, which helps us bond and ultimately reflects positively in our work. It all started with doing the Wordle (that daily word puzzle game taking the Internet by storm) together every morning, and now we’ve added three new games to our slate (The Mini, Connections, and Strands). The point isn’t the games (though we take them very seriously), but rather that it’s become our “pre-work” routine, a fun challenge that gets the brain gears going in under 10 minutes and sets a positive tone for the day. After our games, we’ll chat about what’s on our plate for the day and about our game plan to achieve our daily and weekly goals.  

The games are just the tip of the iceberg, but are a great and simple example of how professional fun in the workplace can reap positive results, and how it’s possible to do so remotely. It’s important to prioritize these seemingly small daily moments, as they add up to something much greater over time.

Some other tips and things we’ve done at EDC to keep the remote fun going:

• Daily check-in call where we’re encouraged to talk about “non-work stuff”—new Netflix show? New puppy? Did something fun this weekend? Share it!

• Online movie watch parties—Using services that sync video playback and allow group watching of streaming services, and we’ve done themed movie watch parties (holiday, summer, etc.).

• Virtual cook-off competition where we looked at and voted on the year’s best employee-made meals.

• Bi-weekly “all-staff” call to celebrate employee accomplishments, birthdays, anniversaries, look at someone’s latest photos from a trip, etc.

• And more! Between telling dad jokes or being funky with emojis on Zoom, we always make sure to maintain a high level of both work and fun.

So, whether you play the Wordle or have a quick call to catch up, don’t underestimate the power of small rituals, and place importance on key moments for communication and bonding with your coworkers. Remote work doesn’t have to be isolating. Reach out, share a laugh, and build friendships with your team. These practices have a profound impact on your work, and ultimately in your mental well-being.