Maximizing Productivity and Health

More people are working from home than ever. Due to the pandemic, about 1 in 4 people work from home now. In fact, the number may be even higher. Now, part of this switch is how employment functions relate to technology. Even before the pandemic, decentralization was beginning to define the marketplace. It’s just so much more convenient! 

Commuting is reduced, on-site business expenses are lowered, productivity is improved, and the list goes on. Here’s the thing: if you’re now in a situation where you spend more time at your home office than where you started, you can get in trouble if you don’t follow best practices. Your health could decline, and so could your interpersonal relationships. 

Prior to the pandemic, Japan saw this trend owing to retirement. Wives would stay home, husbands would work, and they would work hours that were so long, that their spouses developed secondary lives while they were away. When suddenly these retired husbands were at home all the time, it shocked their spouses, and marital disharmony resulted. 

Personal and interpersonal psychological fallout will define an at-home working situation, you need to be prepared.

Here are five strong tips worth considering to help you find your balance in a way that’s healthy, productive, and feasibly sustainable over the long-term.

 1. Don’t Work Where You Sleep

If you work in the same place where you rest, it can lead to sedentary habits that are unhealthy both physically and psychologically—read more about it here. A lot of people are tempted to work from bed because all they need to do involves a laptop, some word processing, or maybe a little reading and delegation. 

The end result is, that you’re not as healthy, you’re not as productive, and if you’ve got a significant other, working from bed will likely initiate unnecessary tension. What makes more sense is designating a portion of your living space for work specifically. 

Maybe that portion is a computer desk in the room where you sleep. That’s not ideal, but it’s better than working from bed.

2. Develop a Regular Schedule

It’s very tempting to just complete tasks as they come without adhering to any sort of schedule. This will get you in trouble quickly. Eventually, you’ll resent any minor task, and your productivity will lag. To keep your remote job, you’ll want to establish a reliable schedule and stick to it. 

Figure out how much work you need to get done regularly, when, and how best to juggle that workload with your life. A lot of at-home workers don’t start until around nine in the morning, finish before three in the afternoon, pick up the kids, and spend their time with family as much as possible. Not everyone can get a day’s work done in five hours like that, though. 

So be smart about it. Sometimes you’ll have to divvy up your workday, sometimes you can consolidate everything into one daily chunk. Every at-home situation will differ.

3. Relocate if Necessary

Something else to consider is simple relocation. If you’re living in Baltimore, where you’ve got your home office, but you’ve got to commute into NYC a few times a week, that’s going to be a pain. You’ll get worn out, and what if your vehicle breaks down, or you’re stuck at the airport, or can’t get a ride through Uber because the interstate is backed up? 

A better solution is getting a place near your office. If you’re spending 2 out of 5 days at the office every week, you’re really working part-time, and there’s no reason to live six or eight hours from your part-time job. A smarter, often more affordable, more comfortable, and more convenient option might be securing corporate apartments in NYC; or wherever your job is.

4. If You’re at a Desk Job, You Should Stand

If you stand at your desk, rather than sitting, you’ll likely have lower blood sugar, better heart health, greater energy, reduced potential for obesity, a longer lifespan, and more—this link from Healthline gives some more background on these health benefits. So, if you’re at a desk for five or six hours a day with your at-home job, get used to standing for your health.

5. Lighting, Comfort, and Plants

You can enhance your home office by controlling lighting, comfort, and plants. Select options that promote a productive workday. While you want good lighting to help you stay awake and alert, there’s no need to resort to harsh fluorescent lights unless you prefer them. Instead, focus on creating a comfortable environment that supports your productivity. 

6. Finding Occupational and Residential Equilibrium

You have complete control over the details of your home office, so it’s important to create an environment that is both productive and comfortable. If you choose to work while standing, be mindful that it requires long periods spent at the computer. If needed, consider relocating your workspace so that the days you need to check in with your home office are more manageable. 

Finally, establish a regular schedule and try your best not to work in your sleeping area. Some of these tips may be more applicable to certain individuals than others. Hopefully, at minimum, these tips help you start off in the right direction. 

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