At first, the idea of skipping your commute and working in your pajamas from the comforts of your own home sounds too good to be true. But unfortunately, anyone who’s worked from home knows it isn’t always as stress-free and simple as it seems.
With everything you may have going on at home, it can be difficult to remain focused on work. Making changes to your home work atmosphere might seem like yet another chore, but in the end, these changes can ease tension, increase focus, and promote a healthy lifestyle.
Let’s take a look at some practical things you can do to overcome work-from-home challenges.
The Struggles of Working From Home
I, for one, struggle with working from home, mostly because I like the structure of an on-site workday where my time is organized. The likelihood of me making up an excuse to skip the gym or a bike ride is much higher if I’m already home, even though I really don’t have any excuse because there are a ton of great at-home exercises.
At times, gaps in communication, collaboration, or a lowered access to productivity tools add to stress. Folks who host meetings or events at home may face even more problems.
As we all know, dealing with stress is a critical component of a healthy lifestyle. For me, stress leads to a pattern of poor diet and exercise. Overcoming stress and unhealthy habits isn’t always easy, but it can be done with the right practices and self-applied structure.
Where To Start?
1. Build a healthy working environment.
A productive work-from-home day begins with your environment. This means creating a space to work that promotes healthy and effective habits.
I’m sad to report that this also means not working in bed or in front of the TV.
It certainly isn’t fancy, but I’ve made a makeshift office in a specific corner of my dining room. I use this space only for working, save for firing off a few emojis to the group chat from the kitchen. This really helps me concentrate and avoid being sidetracked.
Be Your Own Boss
2. Set guidelines, manage time, and maximize productivity.
This may seem a bit silly, but you need to stay accountable and take a leadership role to find success working from home. This means setting working hours, taking scheduled breaks, and unplugging at the end of the day. Starting work and (hopefully) ending it at the same time every day really helps me avoid an unhealthy work-life balance.
Taking it another step, it’s also important to develop a healthy sleep schedule while working from home. Go to bed at a reasonable hour, and set an alarm. Isagenix has a number of products and solutions to promote healthy sleep and rest, like the Brain and Sleep Support System.†
Setting a schedule for working hours can also be a catalyst for success. It may seem like a chore, but it’s extremely satisfying to check items off your to-do list and see your productivity in real time. You don’t have to reinvent a time management system. Lifestyle applications like the IsaLife™ mobile app help you stay on track with your goals and make tracking tasks so much easier.
Healthy Body, Healthy Mind
3. Invest in your physical health …
A healthy lifestyle can easily take a back seat while you’re working from home, but it really is a major factor in your ability to stay focused, sharp, and productive. After all, the kitchen is only a few steps away. Filling your pantry with nutritious fruit, snacks, and drinks is a convenient way to power through your day.
Still in need of some midday energy? Sip on BĒA™ Sparkling Energy Drink during your conference call for a bubbly, 10-calorie boost, or swig some e+™ for a more concentrated energy shot.†
4. … and your mental health.
Coupling some of the nutritional benefits listed above with regular exercise is a great first step in practicing self-care. One thing I find helpful for both mental and physical health on work-from-home days is taking a short walk. It’s a great way to clear my head or brainstorm creative ideas. (I should mention my dog is also a big fan of this idea.)
Keeping in touch with others also works wonders for mental health. Working alone from home often leads to feelings of isolation and downright loneliness. Regularly checking in with teammates and colleagues can be a great way to stay positive. Even a quick chat or call can really brighten your workday. Plus, you can show off that goofy GIF you’ve been saving for the perfect opportunity.
Put Your Focus First
5. Don’t get derailed with distractions.
Lastly, but perhaps most importantly, it’ll be impossible to work from home successfully if you can’t focus. I’ll admit …. at times I’ve thought, “Maybe I can knock out a few cleaning chores while I’m on this call.” Eventually, this led to me losing focus and even forgetting the topic of discussion. After a few missteps, I have discovered that writing down key points or questions I may have is a great way to stay engaged on calls.
The most effective way to promote focus while working at home is to treat your home office exactly like you would treat an on-site office. A good rule of thumb is, if you wouldn’t do this at work, don’t do it at home.
Working from home is an efficient way to operate, and it’s an environmentally friendly way to work. As organizations evolve their work-life balance policies and implement modern working conditions, working from home will become more and more common. By working at home with healthy, positive, and structured guidelines, you can avoid the pitfalls and become a master of at-home productivity.
†This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
