Tips for Working at Home Without Going Insane

Working from home is a blessing and a curse - especially true for working moms, might we add. One day you’re thanking your lucky stars that you no longer need to make that long commute to work and the very next day, you’re pulling out your hair, wondering how much chaos your kids can cause in the span of a morning. To make this situation a bit more manageable, try out these tips for working at home without going insane.

Establish a Regular Routine

Working at home can be freeing, but just because you don’t need to stick to a schedule doesn’t mean you shouldn’t. Try to establish a routine for your days. Set a time that you’re available for work and a time that you’re not. Get up, take your breaks, eat lunch, and end at the same time every day. This will help your days feel more organized and work-like rather than home-like. It will also help your family get into the groove to respect the times you are busy and enjoy the times you are available for quality time.

Get Dressed Every Morning

When you’re working from home, a huge game changer is to change out of your pajamas at the beginning of your day. This tip sounds simple, but we’d argue that it’s one that most people neglect. We know, we know—pajamas and sweats are so comfy! But alas, they don’t exactly help you be productive. You don’t need to wear your fanciest clothes, but taking the time to change into something you would wear in public will get your game face on. Plus, if a rando Zoom call gets scheduled, you won’t get caught off guard!

Keep Your Workspace Clean

Regardless of where you’re working in your home, keep your desk and surroundings tidy. A clean workspace comes with many benefits for your health and mental state. Regularly pick up any accumulated clutter in the room where you’re working and make a habit of clearing off your desk or work surface at the beginning or end of your workday. Doing so will help you to feel attentive and less stressed while you’re working.

Avoid Working From Your Bedroom

If your home situation allows, avoid working from your bedroom or any other room where you usually relax. While in theory, setting up a cute little desk in the corner of your bedroom might seem like a good idea, working in the room where you sleep can hinder your productivity. Because you’ve trained your brain to associate your room with rest, you’ll feel more tempted to take breaks when you should be working! Better to set up your home office in another room instead.

Get Out Of The House

Getting out of the house even for a few minutes can be all you need to get your head back in the right zone. A quick walk around the block or even to the mail box can be a huge help. As a bonus, getting your heart rate up for even a few minutes can improve moods, help send blood to be the brain, and even help improve memory function.

With a few tweaks and these tricks, you might even discover you prefer working from home to an office!