These tips saved my health and energy working from home
Working from home is hands down one of the most flexible ways to live. The time you save by skipping a daily commute is a total game changer, and let’s be honest—being able to tackle household chores during your lunch break? Pure gold.
While working from home is AMAZING, it does have some drawbacks that can lead to 2 extremes, burnout or complete lack of structure (hello laziness) in your day. I have been a remote worker for about 4 years now and have mastered routines and systems that help me to stay healthy, productive, energized, and happy working from home.
Grab a notebook, y’all—I’m dropping some serious gems in this one!
Creating Your Zen Workspace
The first step to boosting your productivity is to create a dedicated workspace. It doesn’t have to be a fancy office; a clean, well-lit corner of your home can do the trick. PAY ATTENTION to this one. I can’t even begin to tell you how important it is to have a dedicated space for working. It can be very challenging to get into work mode when you are working from the couch or kitchen island. Get a desk, make it feel like yours, and create habits around your work space being the place to get sh*t done.
Here are a few tips to help create the perfect space:
Declutter your space: A cluttered space equals a cluttered mind. Keep your workspace organized and free of distractions.
Invest in a good chair: A comfortable chair can make a huge difference in your productivity and overall well-being.
Make it a place you want to be: Surround yourself with things that inspire you. Whether it’s a motivational quote, a family photo, or a plant, personalize your space.
I also highly highly highly suggest you invest in both a standing desk and a walking pad. This has been GAME CHANGER to my overall health. And to be honest, back when I first started working in corporate, I read somewhere that sitting all day is literally killing you and that freaked me out. Ever since then I made it my mission to walk as much as I possibly could during the day.
It is actually SO EASY to get your 10K steps in when you have a walking pad. For me, it takes about 3 hours of walking to get there (which is not much considering you are at your desk for 8 hours a day).
This is the walking pad that I use and have absolutely zero complaints. The best part is that it is quiet, FOLDABLE, and easy to move around. I literally store it in a closet when I am not using it so it’s not an eye sore on a day to day basis.
Always Start the Day with Something GOOD
Y’all it is SO EASY to just wake up and dive right into work since you can essentially just pull your laptop into bed with you. I will tell you right now STOP THAT. Do NOT give into the temptation of working from bed!!
The best way to get yourself into a healthy and productive morning is to make sure there is something to look forward to when you wake up that does NOT involve technology. Is it a delicious cup of coffee or your favorite egg scramble? Is it a fun morning workout with your friends? How about a personal goal you are working towards? You have SO MUCH time in the day so use it to your advantage. Speaking of time — let’s talk routine:
Mastering the Art of Routine
A well-structured routine can help you stay on track and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Here’s how you can establish a productive routine:
Set a schedule: Create a daily schedule and stick to it. This will help you prioritize tasks and avoid procrastination.
Take regular breaks: Short breaks can help you stay focused and refreshed. Try the Pomodoro Technique: work for 25 minutes, take a 5-minute break, and repeat.
End your workday: Set clear boundaries between your work and personal life. Once your workday is over, disconnect and unwind.
Do whatever you can to stick to a 9-5 schedule (or whatever your schedule may be). Set a timer at the end of the day and as soon as it goes off, tell the team BYE and lock that computer!
Routine is a God send, literally. Humans like routines because they provide structure, predictability, and comfort. Routines can also help people manage their time and accomplish goals - so set a good work routine and stick with it.
Also, I am going to take a moment to remind you that your job is just a job. Unless you are getting compensated for over time - do your best to stick to your assigned hours.
Your Digital Arsenal: Essential Tools
Now let’s talk tools to keep you productive and organized. The right tools can help drastically when it comes to staying on top of your work - working smarter and not harder my friends. Here are a few tools I swear by:
Trello: A visual project management tool to organize tasks and track progress.
Google Calendar: A reliable calendar to schedule meetings, deadlines, and personal commitments.
Focus apps: Apps like Forest and Freedom can help you stay focused by blocking distracting websites.
Deep Focus Playlist: You can search this in Youtube and they will give you tons. Essentially, the wave length of the sounds almost puts your brain into a trance of focus. Be careful not to listen to it the whole day though - you could get a headache since your brain isn’t used to the heavy focus.
THINGS TO AVOID
Distractions: Turn off notifications, find a quiet workspace, and use website blockers to stay focused. While you are at home, there are a ton of distractions, so make sure to only allow yourself to give into them during your lunch breaks.
Overworking: Set limits on your work hours and avoid burnout.
Isolation: Schedule virtual coffee breaks with colleagues or friends to stay connected.
What’s Your Productivity Secret?
I’d love to hear about your biggest productivity challenges or your favorite productivity tools. Share your tips and tricks in the comments below!