Top Productivity Tips To Help You Adjust To Working Remotely

In light of recent matters, many companies are mandating or recommending that employees work remotely to flatten the curve. While this may be a dream come true for plenty of people, working from the comfort of your home is a double-edged sword.  Sure, you don’t have to face the commute to work and wearing pants is no longer essential, but staying productive can be a major challenge. Whether it’s Stevie the TV winking at you , the kids demanding your attention, or housework that seems more appealing than your bosses’ requests, working remotely requires extra effort to concentrate. As someone who has been working remotely for 5 years, I know having a routine and certain practices in place is essential to boost productivity. Here are my top tips for working from home effectively:  

With your morning freed up, take this opportunity to ease into the workday. Slowly sip a cup of coffee or tea in your favorite sunny corner. Enjoy a hearty breakfast with your family or by yourself. Catch up on some reading or journaling. Cuddle with your partner, kids, pets or blankets. Go for a walk in the garden. Whatever you do, I recommend doing what makes you feel calm and happy in the first hour after you wake up. This is your time, my friend. Embrace it!  

Activate your body 

Next, move your body or focus on raising your energy for a few minutes. I like to activate my body and mind with a 5-10 minute slow morning yoga session. You might prefer a more intense form of exercise followed by a shower. Only you will know what works best to raise your spirit.  There is no right or wrong. The only rule is to move your body and make it an enjoyable experience.  In fact, research suggests that exercise (low-intensity having more favorable results) increases energy levels, helping us be more productive throughout the day, which is one of the easiest productivity tips out there I’d say.  

Shift into gear

Finding that sweet spot of productivity isn’t limited to slow mornings and exercise, it’s a willingness to shift your mind. How we build awareness, connect, and move through life can either make or break us. With that, developing a ritual right before jumping on tasks is a great way to lock focus:

• Make the bed and declutter workspace
• Wash face and brush teeth
• Slip into semi-comfortable (out of pajamas but not formal attire) clothes
• Brew coffee, tea or prepare ice water with fresh lemon slices
• Power up an essential oil diffuser to activate those senses
• Stream music that induces energy and concentration

While some of these habits have proved to shift me into gear, yours doesn’t have to resemble this to the tee. You can create your own ritual or routine that will tell your brain it’s now time to focus on work.  

Reduce digital eye strain

It’s likely you’ve noticed an increase in headaches, itchy and sore eyes, and other strange body aches while screen time demands your attention more than ever before. Let me introduce you to Digital Eye Strain.  What this means is that your blue light exposure increased, and consequently your body is now the punch bag. Instead of popping pain pills and further compromising your work productivity, slap on a pair of fashionable Day Swannies to block excessive blue light, and find ways to prevent digital overload. Additionally, be sure to give your eyeballs a break for extra relief. Try the 20-20-20 rule. It works like a charm while I’m processing my thoughts.  

Create a positive workspace

We all operate differently, so now you have the opportunity to create a workspace unique to you. Fill your workspace with oxygen-rich indoor plants or declutter to boost your productivity.  Listen to music that makes you feel energized or simply enjoy the peace and quiet of no sounds. Whatever you do, make sure you create a positive space that stimulates a good workflow.   

Plan your productivity

We all have our unique ways of planning our time, but one great productivity tip is to write a to-do list the day before. This small habit is an effective way to jumpstart your day and remove the frustration of not knowing where to start.  Consider starting with your most demanding or important tasks first to avoid procrastination and maintain a positive mindset for the rest of the day. Break your day into chunks, and reward yourself with a cup of tea (or beverage of your choice) every time you complete a task.  

Stay connected online

Be sure to take advantage of epic tech platforms, such as Zoom and Workplace. Set up regular meetings with the team to stay connected, but remember to be human and radiate the same lightheartedness you would if you were with your colleagues at the office.  

Separate work and life

It can be a major challenge for some people to differentiate work and personal life when working remotely. But if you have the luxury, it helps to set up a workspace in a separate room where you can close the door at the end of the day.  As for those living in a bachelor unit, try rearranging your furniture or creating an imaginary barrier. For example, I use my desk only for work, pack everything away, exit and snooze all my work apps, and even move my computer to ‘shut off’ my work mindset.  

Adopt good sleep hygiene

We all know quality sleep is not a luxury but a necessity. But what happens when we don’t get enough sleep? Our cognitive function is impaired, impacting our health, relationships, productivity throughout the day, and overall human performance. What can you do? Identify if your habits before bed might be hindering your ability to fall and stay asleep and discover healthy ways to help your body and mind rest and recover. While there are many ways you can improve your sleep, wearing Night Swannies Blue Light Blocking Glasses is one easy and effective solution to instantly enhance your sleep. That’s all folks. Please let me know if you have any questions or if my productivity tips for working remotely were helpful to you. Wishing you all the wellness you deserve!

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