How to Stay Productive When Working from Home

Working from Home Has Become A Part of Most of Our Daily Routines and Being Able to Stay Continuously Productive While at Home Can Be a Challenge

By Heather Gentile

Over the past year, work-from-home has been taken to a whole new level with a lot of trial and error and making it work as you go. If you are struggling to find a routine or feel unproductive when in your work environment at home, it might be time to make some changes or start a new routine.

Here are some ways to provide a routine and aid in work productivity while working from home.

Create & Maintain a Morning Routine

Think of your daily routine that would happen before your daily drive to work. Use this routine to help establish a new routine at home before your working hours. Having a routine helps to keep you focused and on task throughout the day. Taking the time to establish a routine helps to relax the mind and provide a break before the day begins.

Have a Designated Workspace

Working from home is new to a lot of people and not having the proper workspace can be a challenge, take the time to create a new workspace or even a small office in a bedroom or basement to aid in staying productive throughout the day. Like going to the office, you are now going to your office space in your home. Having a spot set up and ready for work that is organized and more productive than having to create a space every morning.

Customize your Environment

If you have enjoyed your office environment or workplace environment, try to incorporate that at home in your current workspace. Being able to customize your environment to what interests you give control over your environment and is enjoyable to be in daily. Doing this can help you feel comfortable in your space while staying focused and motivated throughout the day. It can be as simple as having a favorite scented candle or a photo by your computer to brighten your day and lift your mood.

Keep Regular Hours

This can be a challenge with so much going on outside the workplace. Try to keep regular hours as if you are going to the office, holding regular meetings with team to continue to socialize and maintain a routine. Keeping regular hours goes together with having a routine, still take your regular lunch or workout in the morning to continue to maintain your routine to keep your schedule consistent.

Listen to Music

Listening to music while working is known to stimulate the brain and provide stress relief. Many types of music in the background can be enjoyable and increase productivity. Try to avoid music that can distract you from work. Many music apps provide playlists that have been created to listen to throughout the workday.

Take Breaks & Walk Away

This might be the most important when working from home. Just as if you would go to the bathroom or stop to chat with a coworker, remember to take a break and walk away from your desk or workspace. Take a 5-10-minute break and go outside or pause from your work environment to reset. This helps increase productivity as well as mental clarity throughout the day.

Staying productive while working from home can be challenging, use these tips to stay productive while creating a routine that now fits your new work-from-home schedule. Everyone works differently and being able to create a routine and space customized to how you work is important for mental health as well as staying productive throughout the day.