Working from home has several benefits, such as flexible work hours, reduced commute hours, and increased productivity. However, certain factors may be keeping you from reaping these benefits. For instance, maybe you have too many distractions at home, like your family bothering you while you're preparing a report or your dog barking in an attempt to get your attention.
Whatever's preventing you from performing at your best, the good news is that there are some things you can do to address these issues. Below are some ways you can improve how you work from home to feel more comfortable, increase your productivity, and feel less stressed.
Wear Comfortable Clothes
Wearing uncomfortable clothes while you work from home can make it hard for you to focus. For example, if you're wearing a scratchy, raggedy t-shirt, you might focus on the itchy feeling on your skin instead of your tasks.
So, find out what styles of clothing you not only find comfortable but also conducive to work. You can even mix and match different clothing styles if you'd like. For example, you can try wearing a loose dress shirt with pajama bottoms. This lets you exude some semblance of professionalism and stay comfortable and relaxed while working remotely.
Additionally, if sitting down for long hours is causing your legs some discomfort, you should consider wearing compression socks, too. The best compression crew socks apply slight pressure to the legs to promote better blood circulation. This, in turn, prevents your legs from going numb or aching due to lack of movement.
Dedicate a Space in Your Home for Work
When you're in an environment that's conducive to work, you'll be less likely to get sidetracked from your tasks. With this in mind, you should assign your home office to a quiet area in your house. If possible, avoid working in places where you eat or sleep, as these areas will tempt you to do those things instead of working.
This separate area can also act as a physical boundary for you and your family. When you're in your workspace, this can be your family's visual cue that you're busy and cannot be disturbed. That said, sometimes they may need to talk to you regarding certain matters during your work hours. To address this, you can agree on a daily schedule with them so they know when they can and can't bother you.
Modify Your Workspace Setup
After you've decided where your workspace will be, you can modify it to make it more pleasant to work in. This is because, as mentioned earlier, having a place that's conducive to working can significantly increase your productivity.
If you're using a laptop for work, for example, invest in a laptop stand so that you can keep your screen at eye level. This will prevent you from straining your neck and back from looking down or up at your screen all day.
If you've positioned your laptop at an elevated height and notice that it's too high up for you to comfortably reach its keyboard and trackpad, don't worry. To address this, you can purchase a separate keyboard and mouse. Position these peripherals at a height that will keep your elbows bent at a 90-degree angle for maximum comfort.
Strictly Follow Your Work Schedule
Having a remote job can sometimes tempt you to overwork because your tasks are so easily accessible online. You may also end up doing too much because you may feel that-because you're just at home-you don't have any reason to stop working. However, it's important to learn to separate your personal identity from your professional identity so that you can have a work-life balance.
Whether you work fixed or flexible hours for your remote job, always stick to a set schedule every day. This means you should only do your work whenever you're officially clocked in. Once you've clocked out, set up whatever boundaries you need to detach yourself from your work. Ideally, you should be relaxing during your leisure time, not worrying about things related to your job.
Take Your Scheduled Breaks
When you're in tip-top shape, you have more focus and energy. Given this, it'll be much easier for you to complete your work duties if your mind is clear and your body feels refreshed. This, in turn, can lead to increased productivity.
That's why it's important to take breaks throughout the day to prevent yourself from becoming overwhelmed by stress. During your breaks, focus on resting and avoid thinking about work. Remember: thinking about your job won't rest your mind. Instead, it will only tire you out mentally.
Indeed, being at home can expose you to a completely different set of distractions and stressors compared to the situations you'd encounter in the office. To succeed as a remote employee, you'll have to learn to adjust to these challenges by following the tips above. Incorporate these strategies into your work-from-home routine, and you'll experience the positive impact these actions can have on your remote work lifestyle.