10 reasons to be optimistic about working from home

Singaporeans are some of the most sleep-deprived people in the world. And that's according to multiple surveys done over the years. So, it's a legitimate reason to rejoice that working from home simply allows us to sleep more. No more waking up at graveyard o'clock to shower, choose an outfit, put on make-up if needed and catch the bus or train into town – only to realise you forgot your wallet in a rush. Just roll out of bed at a sane half an hour before office hours to wash-up before getting down to work. 

Buses and MRTs were way more crowded for the last month or so as people started streaming back to the office. Not fun. Now that work-from-home is default, we can skip all of that and just travel that short distance from bed to desk. For those of us who have no choice but to travel, the commute experience is bound to be much smoother and more pleasant too. 

For those morning types, stick to the routine and wake up early – but now with no commute, you have an extra hour or two in the morning for yourself. Squeeze in a meditation session or clock in a run before your first meeting of the day. Better still, now you might even have some time to eat a proper breakfast that's not on the go. Who knows, you might come out of this period a stronger, fitter person.

Not everyone is a fashionista, so choosing work attire every single day can be a chore. Not to mention that office-appropriate wear can be tight and uncomfortable – nothing compared to loose shirts and pants. And when there's no reason to go out and dress up, there's no reason to shop either, so hooray for our wallets!

What's that, $8 nasi lemak from the hawker centre? Eating out adds up – in both money and calories. Either you spend a ton of healthy salads, or scrimp and save with more sinful fare. It's certainly blissful not having to deal with that when working from home. You spend a fraction on groceries and have full control over the amount of oil and salt put into each and every dish. If you're really lucky, you even have a family member at home who does all the cooking.

If you're like us, you've already invested in an ergonomic home office chair, laptop stand, or killer ultra-wide, ultra-HD monitor. Your home office table is probably by the window where you and your baby plants have maximum sunlight, you have full control over the air-conditioner and all your favourite snacks are within arm's reach. With a home office like that, we see why the actual office might pale in comparison. And even if your work-from-home setup is not anything like we just described – at least you have some precious privacy from prying bosses and colleagues. 

Maybe it's your colleague's child or pet making an appearance in the background, seeing your intimidating boss in relatively casual wear in a homey setting, or virtual parties from the comfort of your abode. Video calls can be convenient and spark interactions that can help you get to know your colleagues better, so make the most of it while you can now that work-from-home is default again. 

It takes just one person typing too loudly to mess with your flow. Or maybe you have a colleague who loves popping over to your cubicle to ask a question (hello, there's email?). Working from home eliminates these unnecessary distractions, boosting focus and productivity. And if you work in a politics-driven and toxic workplace, then good for you – now you can enjoy your personal bubble at home again, free from the stress and friction of that. 

Pet parents can relate. When times are tough and work is stressing you out, there's nothing like giving your pet a stroke and a cuddle to restore some balance. There's also more time before and after work (or even during lunchtime) to bring them on a leisurely walk. We just hope your beloved furry friend is as happy to have you in their space at all times of the day. 

Most of us spend eight hours at the office – if not more. Shifting office hours to the home means more flexibility to spend time on what really matters to us. That could include morning runs, time with pets and kids at home, or dinner with the family. This is something that's really worth rejoicing. Just make sure that you maintain clear boundaries between work and personal life, as it's far too easy to become chained to your desk answering endless emails when you're working from home.