9 Work From Home Tips To Increase Your Productivity

The American Time Use Survey estimates that the percentage of people in the USA working from home rose from 22% to 42% between 2019 and 2020 alone. There is no denying that remote working is increasingly popular, giving many workers more flexibility to carry out their duties. However, it is crucial to find ways to maintain productivity due to the countless distractions, less supervision, isolation, and lower motivation levels inherent in the remote working culture. Please consider the following points if you wish to learn more about increasing your productivity while working from home.

1. Exercise regularly

Studies show that increased productivity is perceivable within weeks of implementing an exercise routine. Indeed, exercising boosts your energy levels, reduces fatigue, combats stress, and improves your general wellbeing. As such, you are more likely to be more efficient and effective at your daily tasks, including work, when you feel happy and energized from exercising. Consequently, start your day with exercise in a relaxed environment to prepare you for the challenges ahead. 

You can go for long walks, take up running, move your muscles, or spend some time at the gym, depending on whatever is feasible for you. Many experts agree that making this a habit can offer you immense benefits as a remote worker, so keep this in mind to remain energized, happy, and productive at work.

2. Create a home office

It might be tempting to stay in your bed, couch, or easy chair to make your work from home experience more comfortable. However, this comfort may come at the cost of less productivity and focus, affecting your overall output negatively. Working from a couch or bed can make it more challenging to resist sleep and other distractions like a television or console. Therefore, it is always best to create a home office for work only so you can operate efficiently and with minimal distractions. This home office must have work vibes, putting you in the right frame of mind to work. As such, you can invest in an ergonomic workstation consisting of an excellent desk, chair, and computer accessories. 

Alternatively, you can purchase an adjustable standing desk since these furniture pieces have been shown to boost productivity while keeping you healthy. Additionally, ensure that your home office has good WiFi and the right workplace supplies you will need to function effectively. Furthermore, prioritize picking a space with as much natural lighting as possible to reduce your reliance on artificial lighting.

3. Dress up for work

Dressing up is something many employees do not bother about while working from home. Indeed, it is often tempting to remain in your pajamas throughout the day since your home is your comfort zone. However, many experts advise against working in sleepwear because this can affect your productivity levels negatively. According to these experts, your brain is programmed to take cues from your personal and social outlook when making decisions. Therefore, you give your brain a reason to be work-inclined when you dress up for work. 

Similarly, you give your brain a few reasons to embrace serious work if you remain in sleepwear, although these clothes may give you more comfort and a sense of freedom. Consequently, take a shower, do your hair, and apply minimal makeup if possible to look presentable before you start your day as a remote worker. You needn't necessarily dress as formally as you would for work, but simply changing into something less casual can put you in the right frame of mind to get the job done. Besides, 76% of individuals use video calling while working remotely, so it is worth looking your best to be ready for any video interactions with colleagues and clients.

4. Plan your workflow

Many experts agree that planning your day is crucial to guarantee an efficient work from home experience, so keep this in mind. Therefore, ensure that you know the day's priorities, how long you may take to get everything done, and what activities you will tackle if you have any extra time before you start working. As such, it might be helpful to dedicate some minutes to planning for the next day before going to bed. This way, you can sleep better without worrying about planning throughout your rest. 

It would be best always to note your highest priority tasks in these plans so you can get the essential things done early on in the day. Also, consider your natural cycles, so you can do the most challenging work when your energy levels are at their peak throughout the day. In addition, plan rewards and small breaks throughout the day for extra motivation to complete your tasks.

5. Separate your working hours from personal time

It is vital to work when you plan to, but it is also equally essential to dedicate time to home life when necessary. Consequently, never extend your working hours far beyond what you planned initially to avoid burning out. Keeping your work and personal life separate keeps you productive and lowers stress when you aren't working. Therefore, when you set your schedule and work hours, plan and communicate when you will be unavailable for work. For instance, if you enjoy spending evenings with friends and family members, communicate that you won't be checking emails after a particular time, and hold yourself to this commitment.

6. Eat and sleep right

A significant advantage of working from home is unhindered access to your kitchen, so it isn't uncommon to grab some snacks anytime you have breaks. However, it is essential to watch what you eat since a healthy diet is crucial to your performance as an employee. Therefore, eat food that empowers you to function more effectively instead of draining your energy. For example, you can eat energizing meals with legumes, leafy green vegetables, fish, eggs, and whole grains to operate better at work. In addition, drink a lot of water and add fruits, nuts, berries, and some juice to your diet. 

However, be careful about overeating to avoid sluggishness. Additionally, a proper sleep schedule is essential to guarantee excellent results as a remote worker. As such, reschedule your binge-watching plans for the weekend and go to bed at a definite time every day. The National Sleep Foundation suggests getting 7-9 hours of sleep per night, so always strive to get a minimum of seven hours of nightly sleep to begin your day on an excellent note.

7. Establish ground rules for family members

A Statista survey revealed that 47% of workers cited managing at-home distractions as the biggest challenge of working remotely. Your parents, spouse, and children can distract you easily as you work from home, so it is vital to establish boundaries early on to ensure that you remain focused. Therefore, set limits for your pets, children, family members, and roommates, encouraging them to leave you alone so you can work without distractions. You can keep your boundaries playful and friendly, but ensure that you stick to them firmly.

For instance, you can make a sign for your home office door indicating whether or not you are busy at work. You can even involve your children in making this sign, so they do not feel left out of the entire process. Besides, involving your kids in making this sign may increase their awareness concerning your new work from home dynamic, making them more cooperative. In addition, you can explain the nature of your work from home responsibilities to parents and other family members, so they understand your need for privacy and silence at particular times during the day.

8. Have a morning and evening routine

A morning and evening routine can also keep you productive as a remote worker, so establishing these routines is undoubtedly worth the effort. For instance, you can practice Yoga and meditation early in the morning since these practices have been proven to be effective, strengthening focus, improving self-awareness, and lowering stress levels. Therefore, you can start your morning by waking up an hour or two before the official start of your day. Then, you can freshen up, have some coffee or tea, and lay a mat on the floor. You can sit on this mat, fold your legs, and meditate for 5-10 minutes to put yourself in the right frame of mind to begin your day. 

Also, after a long day of work, your mind and body will likely be exhausted, so it is critical to have an after-work ritual to unwind after work. For instance, you can shut down your computer and other devices after your work hours are over and drink some water. Then, you can wash your face, meditate for five minutes, eat dinner, and catch an episode of your favorite TV series before bedtime. This way, you can have relaxing routines that prepare you for your day's work and help you unwind after, keeping you stress-free and productive as you work from home.

9. Leverage inspiration

A significant advantage of working from home is that there are no coworkers you can distract. Therefore, you can play loud music if you want to, especially if it gets your creative juices flowing. Alternatively, you can listen to instrumental music, soothing soundtracks with nature sounds, or simply leave the window open to let outside sounds in. Similarly, an audiobook or podcast can keep you occupied and focused if you are doing repetitive tasks, so these options may be worth exploring to keep you productive.