5 Tips to Boost Productivity When Working From Home

Regardless of your occupation or industry, the pandemic has changed how we work. For many of us, it’s lessened the gap between work and home life.

With areas reopening from strict lockdowns, businesses aren’t exactly returning to life as we know it. Companies small and large (including Google and Microsoft) seem to be in no rush to call back employees to the office.

While there are many benefits of remote working, it can lead workers to burnout, anxiety, depression, and ultimately skew productivity. For many people, the hardest parts of working from home involve not being able to go to work, socialize with colleagues, and work in a peaceful, work-tailored environment.

In fact, about 28% of people think that working from home can harm mental health. That's because the rate of productivity begins to evaporate as time passes. A Stanford report highlighted how working from home can improve productivity by 13%. And while it sounds like paradise, it’s quite the opposite for some. Maintaining a healthy work balance and healthy practices are key to driving productivity and avoiding burnout.

The good thing, however, is that there are ways to solve this problem and encourage individuals work productively, confidently, and (while it’s still work) happily.  

If you’ve been struggling, check these five tips to boost productivity when working remotely.

How to Boost Productivity & Avoid Burnout When Working Remotely

1. Find the Right Space

Home is home. Many are not equipped for the work environment we’ve been thrown into. If distractions are a big challenge for you, these are some things to consider:

• Ensure your space is properly lit —natural light is always best!
• The temperature should be under control. A room that is too hot or too cold will make you uncomfortable, lose concentration, and be less productive.  
• Put your phone on silent, close the door so that others cannot disturb you, and set boundaries with your family members or roommates (if you’re sharing the space). Distractions cause people to lose focus and rush through tasks.
• Prioritize ergonomics. Your chair and desk should be comfortable and compliment your height.

2. Don’t Neglect Your Friends

Humans are social animals, and we need social interaction. Being stuck at home can leave people distressed due to their inability to go out and have fun. Here's your reminder to reach out to your friends. You’re already on Zoom — why not repurpose it for a night of catching up each week?

Host work dinners, online conferences and meetings, or have interesting group chats with your colleagues. Consider talking on social media and staying in touch with each other so that you have someone to talk to.

3. Improve Focus with Exercise & Meditation

It’s important to take regular breaks during work to freshen your mind. Every remote worker should indulge in wellness and mindfulness practices.  

Be sure to take walks, stretch a little, and exercise your eyes after every few hours to feel relaxed. These habits can increase your attention span and improve workflow.

Screen fatigue is a real issue. Those who have jobs that require hours in front of a computer screen can end up feeling tired and dizzy. For such people, it is important to give a little break to their eyes by looking around and following mental health care practices. Nootropic supplements like MINDCURE's Lion's Mane Focus contains all-natural lion's mane mushroom powder, known to enhance mental clarity to give you the concentration you need to zero in on work. Alternatively, if you're finding yourself falling asleep at your desk, you made need to focus on your diet. When caffeine doesn't cut it, maybe it's time for a different kind of nootropic, such as MINDCURE's Reishi Energy.

Meditation and breathing exercises can be of help as well. Control your breath while focusing on something positive. Believe it or not, a little breathwork can make you a better remote worker.

4. Imagine Yourself in the Office

Consider your home office as a traditional office. Just like you stick to a routine at work, try to stick to it when you’re working from home. Start early in the morning, take a lunch break and intermittent smaller breaks. “Clock out” or finish your work at a specified time each day.

Esure to meet all deadlines even if you do not have a manager asking you to be on time. By being careful about deadlines and routines, you will be more productive and be able to beat burnout.  

Remote working can be taxing, and while ease is the biggest benefit of working from home, the fact remains that it can derail your energy and result in both fatigue and depression.

5. Seek Help When You Need It

Don’t be afraid to seek help of any kind, whether it’s a job-related issue or a mental health issue. The more you delay things, the worse it will get. If you have work problems, discuss them with your manager. If you feel depressed, take steps to improve your mental well-being.

Work from home (WFH) jobs have gotten a boost during COVID-19 due to the lockdown. However, they will still be in demand after the coronavirus lockdown ends. This is why it is important to be aware of ways to stay productive when working from home. We hope these tips will solve the problem for you.

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