Work-From-Home Routine Tips – Working from home has a lot of advantages: no commute, more comfortable surroundings, and the ability to take breaks whenever you want. But it can also be easy to get sidetracked by household chores, distractions from family members, and an overall lack of motivation.
So here are some of our favorite ideas for self-care-focused routines to help you work from home effectively. From sleeping better with weighted blankets to knowing when to take a break, we’ll show you how your productivity will increase as you focus better on important work tasks and take care of yourself.
Table of Contents
1. Morning Routine
Creating and following a morning routine can be one of the most helpful things you can do for your work-from-home productivity. Just as you likely have a routine for getting ready for your office job, it’s crucial to establish a routine for getting ready for your work-from-home job. This doesn’t mean you need to set the alarm and spring out of bed at the crack of dawn. Many people find that working from home allows them to enjoy a more relaxed morning routine.
Everyone’s morning routine will look different. Yours might include:
- Going to the gym for a pre-work workout
- Enjoying a leisurely cup of coffee while reading the news
- Taking your dog for a walk or to the dog park for some social time
- Taking the kids to school and then getting some quiet time before starting work
Whatever you do, try to stick to the same basic routine each day. This will help train your brain to know that it’s time to start working once you’ve completed your morning routine.
2. List Your Daily Tasks
With many potential distractions, it can be hard to stay focused when you’re in your own space. That’s why it’s essential to have a solid plan for how you approach your work day. One of the most significant things you can do is to list the tasks you need to accomplish. This will help you focus on just a few attainable tasks quite than trying to do too much at once.
Once you’ve prioritized your tasks, it’s important to stick to your plan and resist getting sidetracked. And finally, don’t overload yourself, remember that it’s okay to take breaks and give yourself time to relax. By following these simple tips, you’ll be on your way to maximizing your productivity when working from home.
3. Set Specific Work Hours and Break Times
One of the mainly significant things you can do to set yourself up for success as a work-from-home employee is to create a routine that includes specific hours for work and break times and not let the lines blur. This can be a challenge if you’re used to working in an office. Here are a few tips to help you stay on track:
- Designate a specific area in your home as your workspace. This will help you get into the right frame of mind when it’s time to start working.
- Get dressed as if you were going to the office. This may seem small, but it can make a big difference in how focused and productive you feel.
- Take regular breaks to stretch your legs, get some fresh air, or grab a snack. If you’re having trouble with this, use the Pomodoro technique, which designates specific break times after 25 minutes of work.
- Be sure to schedule time for lunch and plan to take at least a 30 to 60-minute break.
- When it’s time to clock out, make sure you stop working. This can be tough if you’re used to bringing work home, but setting some boundaries is essential.
4. Prioritize Health
Creating a routine that prioritizes your health is vital if you work from home. That means making time for things like hydration, healthy eating, and exercise. Remember that you’re saving hours on commuting by working from home, so you should be investing that time back into yourself. Here are a few tips to help you stay healthy and productive:
- Stay Hydrated – There are plenty of ways to stay hydrated, including drinking water, tea, or even sparkling water with fruit. Staying hydrated will help your productivity because hydration improves focus and brain function.
- Eat Healthily – It’s tempting to snack on the wrong foods when you’re working from home all day. However, working from home is an excellent opportunity to get your diet on track and fuel your body with healthy foods. So make sure to have plenty of fruits, vegetables, and healthy proteins on hand to make it easy to eat.
- Exercise – Make time for some form of exercise every day, even if it’s just a quick walk around the block. Exercise has been proven to improve productivity, so it’s worth making time, even when you’re busy.
5. Unplug, Unwind, and Sleep
Believe it or not, what you do after work hours significantly impacts your productivity while working. Therefore, it’s important to disconnect from work and give yourself time to relax so you can recharge. This will help you be more focused and productive when you’re on the clock. Here are little tips for how to handle those post-work hours:
- Unplug – Just because you’re working from home doesn’t mean you’re available 24/7. When it’s time to clock out, close your laptop, put away your work materials and disconnect from work-related electronics and social media. This will help you relax and detox from work to enjoy your personal time more. That way, when you’re back on the clock, you’re fully present and can give your work your all.
- Unwind – After a long day of work, doing something that brings you joy is essential. This could be reading, going for a walk or run, listening to music, cooking, or anything else that helps you relax and recharge. You might pursue a hobby or give yourself an at-home spa treatment with a bath followed by snuggling up in your weighted robe to watch your favorite show. Whatever your preference, make sure to schedule some time for you every day.
- Sleep – Getting enough sleep is critical for productivity. Most people need around 7-8 hours of sleep per night, so make sure you’re getting enough shut-eye. If you have trouble sleeping, you can do plenty of things to improve your sleep. Using a weighted blanket to relax into sleep, for instance, could help you drift off faster and sleep more soundly. Also, ensuring you have a cool and dark bedroom and disconnecting from electronics an hour before sleep can improve your sleep quality.
Final Thoughts
Working from home can be a great method to improve your productivity and reduce stress levels. By following these simple tips, such as setting boundaries, investing in yourself, and unplugging after work hours, you can make the most of working from home and boost your productivity.
What are your favorite tips for working from house? Share them with us in the comments below and keep the conversation going.
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