There is an emerging trend of individuals who are now working from home thanks to recent changes. Working from your home office has many benefits, including increased performance, business continuity, and better work-life balance. Many small and large businesses are switching or have already shifted to this emerging trend. However, if work from home is not well managed, it can affect your work. Check out some simple tips that can increase your productivity.

Maintain a morning routine
While working from home, it is important to wake up (and sleep) at the same hour you previously did. Sure, you don’t need to commute anymore, but setting a routine will make you feel less lethargic and tired. You don’t want to be sleeping when you have a call scheduled at 9 am. Take a shower and sit down for work if you feel sleepy in the morning. Make your morning tea/coffee and eat breakfast just like you would on any typical workday. There is an extra comfort in being in your pajamas, but it will likely make you feel unprofessional. It would be better to create a separation between your home life and work life.

Set clear boundaries
You may be working from home, but you may still have other people around you. Set boundaries with your roommates and family members to make sure they respect your space when you are working. If you are sharing spaces with another work-from-home adult, communicate your expectations with them. It may not be possible to work with loud music playing in the background. Set ground rules about meeting hours, shared desks, and quiet time. Also, set a timetable if you have children coming home from school during your work hours. If you can manage personal and professional work both, that’s great, but your productivity may suffer if you take responsibility for all the work. Take help if necessary.

Take scheduled breaks
Read your company policy on break time. If you are a freelancer or self-employed, give your eyes and mind time to relax. For full-time U.S. employees, an hour of lunch break and two 15 minutes breaks during the day are the norm. If you work long hours on your laptop, take a break from the screen, stand up and do some stretches. You can simply walk around and stare out of the window, preferably at something green. This helps you relax and increase productivity. Sometimes people think that working from home can have fewer distractions; they might end up overcommitting. This also kills productivity as you may end up working too much. Find and maintain the right balance.

Build a dedicated workspace
You may be working from home for at least the next few months, at least until your employer does not make it mandatory. Hence it is important to have your own space in your house, which can be your designated workspace. It can be a spare or empty bedroom, but if you are pressed for space, set up a desk for your laptop and office supplies in a small corner of a room. Make sure you choose a quiet part of the house so you can focus better. Building a dedicated workspace can take some investment. It’s just like starting a new business where you may have to purchase the necessary technology, desktop, and other things. You don’t need to have a high-end work desk. A simple one purchased online or from Ikea can work. If you work in an organization, ask your human resources manager if they can provide you with a laptop, working chair, the software you require, and other essentials. Also, buy a high-speed internet connection line to avoid hassles.

Socialize
When you are working from home, you may miss the casual chats you have with your co-workers near the water cooler or the coffee machine. Reach out to them by communicating with them through video chat apps. Sometimes the small talk can make your day better and improve productivity. Make time to text your colleagues or check in with them personally. Share your life stories with them and ask them about theirs. These little things can lessen the feeling of isolation, anxiety, and loneliness.

Don’t be too hard on yourself
Following a routine is great, but don’t be too hard on yourself. Most successful people follow a strict, disciplined routine that they over-stress and risk a breaking point. If you think your attention is drifting too often, take a break and come back with a fresh mind. It is not only yourself that you need to cut some slack, but also the people you work with. You do not know what the other person is going through in life. Showing a little kindness goes a long way.