Thanks to advances in technology, an increasing number of workers in the United States are opting to work from home instead of in a traditional office setting. In fact, as of June 2020, over 40% of American adults work remotely full-time. 

Working from home can be an incredibly enriching experience. You’re afforded the opportunity to create your own schedule, spend more time with your loved ones, even work in your pajamas if you so choose. 

That said, working from home isn’t as easy as you might think. And without the use of some of the best practices for working from home, both your productivity and your overall mental health will suffer.

To help you find success while working from home, we’ve put together a guide including everything from scheduling to ergonomics to productivity hacks. Read on to learn everything you need to know.

1. Set Office Hours

One of the toughest parts about working from home is that it becomes difficult to switch off “work mode” in your mind. This can lead to unnecessary stress and anxiety. So to avoid it, it’s important that you create a daily schedule and stick to it.

Even when working from home, you need to have office hours. Don’t feel that you have to work during the traditional hours of 9 am to 5 pm. If you’re an early bird, consider starting and finishing early! Or, if you prefer to sleep in, you can begin your workday at 10 or 11 am and finish later.

The hours in which you work matter very little and should be chosen based on personal preference. What matters is that you start work at the time you’ve chosen and stop when the workday is over.

There’s nothing wrong with working for an extra hour or so every once in a while, but do your best not to stray from your schedule. Allowing yourself to accept appointments outside of your working hours will prevent you from taking the time you need to relax and recharge.

2. Create a Schedule

Having office hours isn’t enough if you truly want to get the most out of your workday. You need to have a work from home schedule as well. Let’s say you’ve decided to work from 8 am to 3 pm. Within those hours, you need to plan when you will do which task.

Now, don’t be afraid to make changes to your schedule over time, as you learn your body’s natural rhythms. Throughout the day, your energy level comes in waves. You’ll experience peaks and valleys, and then for a couple of hours, usually in mid-afternoon, you’ll have a drastic dip in energy and focus.

Typically, it’s best to get your toughest task out of the way first. This is known as “eating the frog”. You’re your freshest and most motivated first thing in the morning, and even the most difficult tasks will be easier to complete in this window.

Save mindless and less urgent tasks for the afternoon, when you naturally have less energy and are less productive.

3. Only Work in Your Designated Work Area

Did you know that you get more restful sleep if you use your bedroom only for this purpose? This is because your brain creates associations with certain spaces and becomes confused if you use a space for more than one activity.

If your workspace is in a room that you also use for playing video games, for example, your brain will have a harder time deciding between “work mode” and “play mode”.

Ideally, you should have an entire room of your home dedicated to work and work only. However, if you don’t have the budget or space for this, you can set aside the corner of your living room or even use your dining room table for work.

Just be sure that you only work in the space you set aside. Humans are creatures of habit. If you sit down at the kitchen table every morning at 8 am, open your laptop, and begin working, you’ll find it becomes easier and easier to focus over time.

It’s a good idea to make this space as welcoming as possible. You want to cultivate positive feelings around your workspace to help you get into the right mindset for productivity. Add inspiring decor or a few of your favorite knickknacks to a nearby shelf and play music to help yourself get focused.

4. Set Up an Ergonomic Workspace

As tempting as it may be to work from your couch or bed, it’s vital that you create a workspace with ergonomics in mind. Ignoring this concept will lead to conditions such as chronic back and neck pain and can ruin your productivity.

There are entire websites dedicated to work from home ergonomics, but we’ll go over a few of the basics here.

Posture is Paramount

When you work on a computer all day, you’ll likely begin to lean forward or allow your head to droop toward the screen without realizing it. But maintaining proper posture is crucial in avoiding chronic pain and other conditions.

Make a conscious effort to remind yourself to keep your back straight, with your shoulders rolled back and your ears inline above them. The goal is to keep your spine in alignment all day.

Work at the Right Height

While seated at your desk, you should be able to comfortably keep your elbows and knees at a 90-degree angle. It can be tempting to tuck your legs beneath your chair, but your feet should rest flat on the ground.

If you can, invest in an adjustable chair that both swivels and moves up and down. This will ensure that you stay comfortable all day.

Don’t Buy a Cheap Chair

Staying on the topic of your office chair, if you can only splurge on one thing, let it be your chair. Look for one that supports the natural curve of your spine, preferably tall enough for you to rest your head on as well. 

An ideal office chair will also have armrests. You’ll be able to keep your elbows at that 90-degree angle while resting them at your sides.

Don’t Work on a Laptop

Many of us are virtually attached to our laptops, however, it’s best to not work from your laptop alone. When you work on a laptop, your head is held at a downward angle for most of the day. Working from a desktop is best, as it will allow you to have a separate screen and keyboard. 

Now, you can find some great deals on laptops, and they offer a much greater level of convenience. So it’s understandable if you prefer them to desktops. In this case, consider purchasing a separate monitor.

That way, you can use your laptop as a keyboard while you work, keeping your neck at a neutral angle as you look at your monitor screen. Then when your workday is done, you can disconnect your laptop and take advantage of its portability.

5. Take Frequent Breaks

As we discussed above, your body has a natural rhythm when it comes to your energy level and ability to focus. One of the best productivity tips for working from home we can give you is to take advantage of this rhythm and take a break when you’re finding it difficult to focus.

During your break, don’t remain at your desk, browsing the internet or social media. Instead, get up and walk around your house or stretch. Better yet, go for a walk around your neighborhood.

Trying to force yourself to work non-stop will not only lead to burnout but you’ll notice more aches and pains, as your body was designed to move. Every two hours or so, leave your desk and do something you enjoy for a few minutes, whether that be calling a friend or picking up a musical instrument.

In between these larger breaks, you need to practice the 20-20-20 rule. This is a concept that will protect your eyes from strain and eventual damage that comes from staring at a screen for hours at a time. It’s simple – every 20 minutes, stare at something at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

Use the Best Practices for Working From Home to Maximize Productivity

Making the transition from a traditional working environment to working from home can be tough. However, if you put the best practices for working from home to use, you’ll never want to go back to the office again.

The most important thing you can do is cultivate self-discipline by creating a daily schedule and sticking to it. The key is to create an association between your workspace and productivity.

In search of more tips for getting the most out of your workday and your business? Take a look at our blog!