With most of us staying at home due to COVID-19, we are surrounded by our families, roommates and all the distractions that come along with them. For those fortunate enough to be able to work from home, then comes the struggle of comfortability and productivity.
With all these changes happening it can be easy to get caught up in the stress of it all. As you adjust to your new home office life, you will have to adapt to your new work environment. We have created 10 tips on how to make working from home comfortable and most importantly productive.
1. Designate a work area
Choose a space you feel comfortable in and designate it as your workspace. This may be a desk in your room or even your dining room table. By choosing your space you are bringing routine and balance to your home workday. Set yourself up for success with all the tools you need and create your home office.
2. Stay organized/eliminate clutter
Keep your workspace clear and concise. By keeping only essential items on your desk such as laptops, pens, chargers, and etc. it will eliminate clutter. Organizing your workspace will create less stress allowing you to focus on the task at hand.
3. Work near natural light
Working from home can be dreadful for some who crave that social interaction. To boost your spirits try working near a window or simply a room that has natural light. Not only will it enhance mood, it can bring you stress relief.
4. Create a comfortable environment
When you create your work area, keep yourself in mind. Bring that picture of your friends, that comfy back pillow you love so much, or your favorite plant from your room. Create a comfortable environment you believe you will thrive in. Diffuse essential oils to create a zen environment that keeps your mind at ease.
5. Set your hours
Create set hours you will work everyday. This will help hold yourself accountable to putting the necessary time in. Make your mind go into work mode for these set hours and allow yourself to “clock off” mentally to enjoy time at home with family.
6. Stick with your routines
Try to live life as normal as you can. Wake up, shower, and change your clothes even if that means changing from night pjs to day pjs. Even though no one can see you, it will instill a sense of normalcy and routine to your day. Stick to your workouts. Let nature become your gym and get in your 6 o'clock regular workout in. Don’t stray away from your diets. While staying at home it can be easy to overeat or snack on unhealthy foods to pass the time. Try meal prepping your meals and snacks to ensure you don't give into temptation keeping your diet goals right on track.
7. Take breaks regularly
Step away from your work to get outside and get some sunshine. Get out of the house and exercise by taking a walk around the block. Take full advantage of this opportunity and multitask to get things done you normally wouldn’t be able to. Throw a load of laundry in or throw dinner in the oven. You finally have the luxury to do 2 things at once so embrace it.
8. Designate time to unplug completely
Working from home can make lines start to blur. Differentiate leisure time and work time. Put your phone and computer away for set hours of the day. Designate time to unplug completely. It is easy to be constantly stressed checking your phone at every email that pops up. Create time to relax and have that much needed family or errand time just as you would if you were working at the office.
9. Avoid woking in bed
Although the idea of working in bed is very appealing, it can easily lead to sluggishness and lower productivity. Don’t let yourself succumb to the temptation of napping, netflixing and choose to work at a table instead.
10. Use team chats regularly
By scheduling group conversations it allows your team to stay in touch with one another keeping open lines of communication. This will help ensure everyone is on the same page and stays on track for deadlines.
Working from home can be a blessing if you let it be. Appreciate being able to work from home rather than dwelling on it. For the first time many of you are given the opportunity to create your own work environment. Take advantage and use your time wisely to become your most productive happy healthy self. Implement these into your home life this month and let us know the results. We would love for you to share your experiences with us.
