Working from Home? How to Stay Productive

For some, working from home sounds like a dream: sending emails from your couch (sans pants), “commuting” from your bed to your desk, escaping the drama of office politics. But the novelty of these work-from-home perks can wear off quickly.

Research from Cornell University suggests that remote workers may be at a greater risk for feeling personally and professionally isolated compared to their in-office colleagues. What’s more, a 2017 report from the International Labor Organization, which reviewed several studies on work-life balance from 15 countries, shows that WFH employees tend to report higher stress levels and more trouble sleeping than their office-worker counterparts.

Now, with the added stress of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic—which has led millions of people around the world to work from home—these feelings of anxiety and isolation may become exacerbated for remote workers, particularly those who are new to the lifestyle, says psychotherapist Rachel Wright, M.A., L.M.F.T.

Here are six simple strategies that might make all the difference and how to make them work for you.

Maintain your morning routine.

When you’re working from home, it’s tempting to roll out of bed and go straight to your computer, PJs and all, to start the workday. But maintaining structure, especially in the mornings, can go a long way in helping you feel calm, cool and productive, says Wright.

“Routine helps you feel grounded,” she explains. “Creating purpose and structure with some normalcy can help you feel grounded and help your brain cope with all of the other unknowns.”

So, when your alarm goes off, start your day just like you would if you were actually going into the office: Wake up on time, shower and get dressed. No one’s saying you need to wear a stuffy suit or uncomfortable slacks all day—you don’t even need to put on jeans if you don’t want to. Instead, try some WFH-approved loungewear that’s comfy, but doesn’t make you feel like a hot mess.

Have a designated workspace.

Whether it’s an entire room, a breakfast nook in your kitchen, or a corner in the living room, having a designated workspace is key. 

To maximize productivity in your workspace, create a setup that mimics elements of an actual office. Some starting points: Make sure you have a strong internet connection, good lighting, a comfy chair and an inventory of supplies so you’re not wasting time looking for stuff.

Once the workday is over, leave your to-dos in that designated space so you can mentally disconnect from work and properly recharge, says Wright.

If you’re in a small space where it’s difficult to separate “work” and “home,” try practicing simple, everyday habits that can cue the start and end of your workday. “For example, light a candle during work hours and blow it out when you’re done,” suggests Wright.

Practice self-care regularly—Not just in times of stress.

For most people, the 9-5 life provides daily structure. You arrive at the office at a certain time, you get your work done and once you leave, that’s your time to decompress. But when you work from home, that structure mainly depends on you, notes Cheri McDonald, Ph.D., L.M.F.T., an expert on complex trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). For the most part, it’s on you to decide when to clock in, clock out and practice self-care.

So, how do you create a structure that leaves room for work and self-care? First, remember that self-care isn’t just something you practice only when you feel stressed; self-care means making the decision to invest in taking care of yourself as a regular practice, explains McDonald.

“Begin by choosing something that you enjoy in all areas of self-care,” suggests McDonald. “Plan ahead as to what is the easiest way to feel good, nurtured and cared for in your situation.”

For instance, a regular mindfulness practice—even if it’s just a daily five-minute prayer, breathing practice or meditation—can serve as self-care. Or maybe you feel rejuvenated after stimulating your brain with a crossword puzzle at lunchtime. Perhaps a morning phone call or text exchange with a loved one helps you tackle the day with motivation. Whatever self-care looks like for you, the point is to regularly show up for yourself, not just for your work, says McDonald. “You can only do for others as you do for yourself,” she notes.

Exercise to keep your brain sharp.

One of the biggest caveats of working from home is inactivity. After all, it’s easy to let exercise take a backseat when you’re in the comfort of your home all day. 

Not that you need a reminder, but tons of research shows that exercise does your mind and body good. In a matter of moments, moving your body can pump your muscles with extra oxygen, strengthen your lungs and flood your body with mood-enhancing chemicals like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. 

To create a consistent workout routine in your new WFH setup, pick a time of day for exercise that suits your lifestyle, personality and work schedule—and stick to it, says McDonald. In other words: “If you’re not a morning person, don’t try to work out at 6 a.m.,” she says.

It also helps to switch up your workouts from time to time. Regularly changing your workouts not only keeps your body guessing (and progressing), it can also help you avoid injuries. You can shake things up in your routine every day, every three days, or even every few weeks—whatever works for you. 

Keep your expectations realistic.

Yes, there will be days when you’re extremely productive while working from home. But there will also be days when even the 12-foot walk from the couch to the desk seems impossible.

On days like that, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by feelings of failure. That’s why it’s important to set realistic expectations for yourself, especially if working from home is new to you, explains Wright.

But what do “realistic expectations” actually look like? “Create some type of accountability [that works for] your personality style,” suggests McDonald.

For example, if you love lists, McDonald recommends creating a detailed, daily to-do list that includes both work tasks and designated self-care time. This creates discipline, she explains. You’re showing up for the day prepared, and you know what your day is going to look like so you don’t overcommit and overextend yourself.

If lists aren’t your thing and you tend to be more creative, McDonald suggests thinking of a daily goal and mentally visualizing the desired outcome of that goal.