As remote workers, we stay seated and behind the computer most of the time, and staying focused at home can sometimes be challenging. We have too many distractions; we have easy access to food, the TV, maybe we get distracted by our kids or pets, or if someone is at the door. Although working from home has some benefits, it also has some challenges, but you can make it work perfectly with some adjustments.

Start Your Day Right

The most common mistake people make when working from home is to stay in their pajamas all day and work from their beds. Start your day by taking a shower and put on some comfortable clothes. Being presentable will make you feel more professional and productive.

Don’t Skip Breakfast

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day; it gives you energy and helps you stay focused. Have a healthy breakfast, like eggs and fruit, to keep you full through the morning, so you avoid snacking all the time.

Designate a Workspace

If you have a spare room or a home office already, this will make the work easier. If you don’t, designate a place away from the bedroom or distractions like the TV, and set your work station. It could help if you buy a desk and adapt it to the living room, the dining room, or even your backyard.

Have Your Office Essentials

Make sure you have a keyboard, mouse, a screen, and the right chair to stay focused and comfortable all day. We spend almost 8-9 hours a day sitting on our desks, so you probably want to invest in a suitable desk and chair. You can light up the space by having some plats around, music, and good lighting. Make sure you have everything you need to stay motivated and comfortable. Also, really important, keep an organized space and avoid clutter.

Take Regular Breaks

It’s ok to take breaks while working from home, take 5 to play with your pet, go for a brief walk, do some chair yoga or just rest your eyes with the 20-20-20 rule. You can use the Pomodoro Technique to be more productive and remind you to take breaks every once in a while.

Plan Your Meals

By staying home all day, we have easy access to all the snacks in the pantry, but if you plan your meals, you will have to stick to the plan. If you can, do meal prep on Sundays, so you have your lunch ready every day. Try to buy healthy snacks instead of chips or cookies. It’s ok to snack between meals, but of course, it’s better if you choose a healthy option like carrots and hummus or an apple.

Have your lunch break away from your computer

Take the time to have lunch; this can be your “Me Time.” Set the table, sit down and enjoy every bite. Disconnect from everything else and try mindful eating; you will be surprised how food tastes different. If this is not for you, you can use this time to connect with your family or catch up on your text messages or social media.

Stay Hydrated

This is something a lot of people forget, and it’s vital to our everyday routines. Staying hydrated throughout the day will help you stay focused and avoid headaches or fatigue because of dehydration. Have a bottle of water or tea on your desk all the time.

Socialize

Nowadays, that concept is different, but it’s not impossible. If you use to enjoy hanging with your peers, and that’s something you miss, have a 15-30 min non-work video call every week just to catch up on your personal life. Have a cup of coffee and a break altogether or even a working lunch. If possible, you could meet some of your coworkers for lunch or have a coworking day at a café. Don’t underestimate the importance of taking the time to interact with others.

Don’t Overwork

Having a healthy work-life balance is really important, and having our home as an office can be hard to keep our work away. Plan ahead of your schedule and set priorities so you have a more productive day. Have your own boundaries and set a clock out time; don’t open your computer again once you do that.

Enjoy the Perks of Working from Home

Working from home has been hard for some, but a lot of people love it. You can spend more time with your family, pets and the best part, you avoid the commute! Also, remote work can give you some flexibility, so go work at a cafe, at the park, or even rent a place for the week and work there.

Working remotely can be challenging at the beginning and can be hard to adapt, but if you have the right tools and make some little changes to your daily routine, you will start feeling more productive and happier.