When you work from home, it can be hard to separate your personal life from your job. When both your job and your free time are crammed in the same space, it’s easy to get down on yourself or lose steam.
That’s why you have to implement positive at-home work habits—and set up a pleasant workspace—to boost productivity without sacrificing your happiness.
Read on for our five tips for making your space as appealing and fruitful as the work you want to produce. That way, you never have to dread “going to work” again!
#1: Practice Affirmations
Who needs Tony Robbins when you can be your own motivational speaker? That’s right: you can take your work life into your own hands with the help of positive affirmations.
These cheerful bundles of motivation look a bit like this:
- I am enough.
- I know what I’m doing.
- I am great at my job.
- I have full confidence in myself.
- I am brave.
Just jot some of these on post-its and stick them around your workplace for constant, on-the-go, affirmation. No matter where you work, you deserve a positive work environment—and that starts with what you tell yourself.
#2: Dress to Impress
This tip might sound silly because, well, there might not be anyone around to impress! However, getting ready in the mornings as if you were actually going to an office can do heaps for your self-esteem, productivity, and work-life balance.
Getting up in the morning and engaging in early wins like making your bed can do wonders for your worldview—treating your job like something worth getting ready for helps you treat your work with the focus, discipline, and engagement it deserves.
Here are other activities to implement into your morning routine to get you off to a good start:
- Make the bed
- Open the curtains
- Whip up a nutritious breakfast
- Brush your teeth (don’t forget to floss)
- Go for a morning walk or do some deep stretching
- Tidy your workspace
- Meditate with a mobile app
- Dress in comfortable work clothes (you decide the dress code)
- Do your hair or dab on some makeup
- Wear comfy work shoes
It might shock you just how much these simple changes can boost your motivation when you step into your home office. Whether you integrate them all or just add one to your routine, you’ll be astounded by your new workflow.
#3: Go Wireless
Getting tangled in wires can put a real damper on your work mojo. Instead of getting up and fumbling with connectors every time you need to print, get a wireless wifi printer so you never have to get out of your zone to print important documents.
The same goes for other gadgets and accessories that no longer need a wire to interrupt your productive fire:
- Computer mouse
- Keyboard
- Noise-cancelling headphones
Go wireless, stay productive.
#4: Go Green
More than 85% of most peoples’ lives are spent indoors—and that percentage only increases when you work from home. Even with access to natural light and good habits, spending so much time in a confined space can be bad for mental health and thus, your happiness and productivity.
Luckily, there is a simple (and leafy) solution: indoor plants! Studies have shown that interaction with plants actually helps reverse some of the stress adults face while working from home.
Potted or hanging plants brighten up a room, make you feel more comfortable in your space, and help quell the natural anxiety that comes from working your hardest in these trying times.
#5: Take Frequent Breaks
Working for hours on end without stopping often does more harm than good. To make the most of your time, manage your workload efficiently by taking regular breaks when your head gets too noisy (even if you’re not feeling tired). That way, you’ll optimize your time while also ensuring your workday is as pleasant as possible.
Here’s how to make the most of your break time:
- Go for a 10-minute walk
- Listen to your favorite podcast while you tidy up
- Eat a nutritious snack
- Dance to a song that gets your blood pumping
- Play a game of sudoku
- Do a productivity meditation
- Call a friend or loved one
- Water your plants
Knowing a break is approaching will motivate you to work hard, without making you dread the coming hours. There’s no reason you can’t do a good job and have a good time.
Plan Hard, Work Harder
Putting your utmost effort into your work isn’t the only ingredient for success—planning is important, too. When you plan a mood-boosting, healthy, and efficient workday, your output skyrockets, and so does your mood. Don’t skimp on breaks, sunlight, or good habits—your clients, friends, and body will thank you later.