When you work in a traditional office environment, you may be in a beautifully-designed workspace that has specific features to boost comfort and productivity. You also have a specific work stop and start time, and reasons to get up and take a break throughout the day. You know that when you get into your car to drive home in the evening that you are completely off the clock, and you may chat with coworkers while eating a snack in the break room. When you work at home, however, the entire experience is usually different.
At home, you may have minimal interruptions from coworkers, so you may be inclined to work almost nonstop throughout the day. It is sometimes difficult to make a mental separation between work and free hours, so you might end up working longer hours. Even your office space may be rather unpleasant to spend time in. The combination of all these factors can potentially lead to burnout and a decline in productivity.
Finding a way to stay recharged while working remotely is essential.
Don’t Sleep With Your Phone
When you first start working from home, you may be eager to prove to your employer that you can get the job done without being in the office. You may also love the fact that you can efficiently combine your work activities with the completion of some personal tasks. For example, you may toss a load of laundry into the washing machine while you are on hold for a business call.
Checking email is one of the more common steps that at-home workers take throughout the day, and many do so through their smartphone. In 2015, more than 205 billion messages were sent each day. More than that, as many as 90 percent of individuals with a smartphone check the phone within 15 minutes of getting out of bed, and these individuals typically sleep with their phone beside them.
Everyone needs downtime to rest and recharge. It is critical that you use your time in bed for this purpose. After all, you want to feel rejuvenated and ready to jump into work the following day. Being efficient during work hours is great, but this should not extend into your personal time.
Turn your phone off at night, and keep it away from the bed. Ideally, the phone will be so far away that you cannot see its light. When you put your health and well-being first and when you find a smart way to separate work and personal time, you may be more productive during the day.
Find Your Sound
Some people work well in a completely quiet home, but others prefer to work with some background or ambient noise. Playing commercial-free music at a low volume is an excellent idea for many people. Many types of music have lyrics, and lyrics can make it difficult to concentrate. Instrumental music, such as classical music, is a smart idea because it is less distracting. Recorded sounds of nature may also be a wonderful idea. The type of music that you select should not evoke emotions in you. Instead, it should help you to feel relaxed.
If music is not your thing, remember that you can open a door or window if weather permits to listen to actual sounds of nature or to your urban environment. If you prefer a high-energy background hum, working in a local coffee shop is another idea to consider. Remember that everyone is different, so you need to find what works for you. You may even find that your needs and preferences vary based on the activity that you are doing or the mood that you are in at the time.
In with the Natural
Office environments can be stark and bleak, and this includes home offices. Nobody wants to feel as though they are cooped up in an unpleasant office all day. A smart idea is to decorate your office with fresh flowers or potted plants. Choose a home office location near a window so that you can enjoy sunshine and see blue skies during the day. You can also open the window from time to time to breathe in fresh air and enjoy wonderful natural smells. One nice days, you can even grab your laptop to work on your patio.
You may feel more energized when you start your day with some time outdoors, such as by going on a run or walking the dog. Because you need to rest your eyes and stretch your legs, taking short walks periodically throughout the day is another smart idea. When you take snack or meal breaks, avoid eating quickly. Stop working, and savor all of the flavors that you eat and drink. Remember to keep a glass of water close by throughout the day as well.
Working at home can be amazing, but there are else exceptional challenges that need to be overcome. Identify the specific challenges that are negatively impacting your overall life and health or your productivity. Consider how restructuring your workday or even improving your office space can help you to move past your challenges. Improving your at-home work experience may be an ongoing effort. Regularly look for new ways to enjoy a more comfortable and productive workday at home.