For many people, the fight to contain COVID-19 has left us quarantined at home. In some ways, this has been great. The daily commute to and from work is gone. You can spend your time working on the couch. However, for many, there is one area that has suffered. Productivity. Being at home can make us more relaxed, making it harder to get focused on the task at hand. Thankfully, this doesn’t have to be the case. Let’s look at a few simple things you can do today to improve your workability during the quarantine.
Make A Schedule
One of the most important parts of being productive is building a strong schedule. You should have a set time where you are working. This helps your brain differentiate between work time and leisure. If possible, you might want to try and keep the same hours that you do when at work. Your brain will be primed to be in work mode during these times.
When creating your schedule, you should make sure that you’re leaving plenty of time to take breaks. This will give you some time to recover and re-focus on the task ahead. It will also give you the chance to check social media and emails. Try to aim for a short break every 20 minutes, having a longer one each hour. You should also get up for lunch, rather than eating at your desk. This will give you a chance to stretch your legs, and prepare healthy, nutritious food, giving you long-lasting energy.
Once you’ve developed a schedule, you will need to follow it. For most people, this is the most difficult part. To help you stick to the schedule, you might want to print it off and attach it to the wall above your work area. This will make it easier for you to tell whether or not you should be working. You might also want to consider using the timer app on your phone. Until the alarm goes off, you aren’t allowed to leave the desk. While these methods can be difficult at first, the more you use them, the easier they will become.
Keep Physically Fit
While in quarantine, it can be tempting to not exercise as regularly. However, this is often a big mistake. When we are exercising, the blood flow in our body increases, including getting more blood flowing through the brain. As a result, it can be a great way to come up with new ideas or overcome problems that you might be experiencing.
Exercise has also been linked to positive mental health. It can be a great way to work out any stress or anger that quarantine might be causing. By staying in a positive frame of mind, you’ll find it easier to focus on the work. This will allow you to get the best possible results.
Build A Good Workstation
During the quarantine period, many of us will have to adjust to a new workstation. However, you should still make sure that this area has been set-up properly. This will make it easier for you to focus. In this area, there are a few key elements that you might want to focus on.
First, you want to make sure that you have plenty of natural light. This is one of the biggest determinants affecting how likely you are to focus on the task. It will also affect the melatonin levels in the brain, determining how likely you are to go to sleep. If you can’t get natural lighting, you should still make sure that the area is well lit.
It’s also important to think about the type of furniture you’re using. If you’re going to be at your desk for a long time, you want to make sure that your body is getting the support that it needs. For example, you should try to have your arms perpendicular to the desk. You should also try to get the screen at eye-level, so you don’t need to crane your neck to see it. Finally, make sure that you have plenty of water available, to make sure that you don’t get dehydrated.
Have A Dedicated Work Area
In most cases, all that’s needed to work from home is a laptop. Because of this, it can be tempting to try and work in multiple different locations around the home. However, while it might be more comfortable, this isn’t the most productive approach. Instead, try to only work in one area. This helps get you into a focused state, and mentally ready to work. It can also make it easier to create a clear distinction between work and play, which can be one of the biggest challenges of working from home.
Drink Coffee
Coffee remains one of the most popular beverages available, with millions enjoying the drink every day. This beverage has a few health benefits. For example, it’s been linked to reducing the risk of heart problems. It might also be able to help you extend your longevity. However, the biggest benefits come to your mental health. In this case, it’s been shown to lower your chances of developing diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia. In the shorter term, it can make you feel more awake, giving you an energy boost. It will also make it easier for you to focus on the task at hand.
As you can see, there are multiple reasons why coffee remains the drink of choice in workplaces around the world. If you want to experience this for yourself, check out this excellent review of some of the best coffee machines: https://coffee-statistics.com/best-coffee-on-amazon/
Conclusion
Due to current global events, many of us have been forced to work from home. However, this can be a blessing, rather than a curse. By using a few simple techniques, you’ll be able to stay productive, while remaining in the comfort of your own home. So, as the quarantine continues, you will be able to embrace this new way of working.
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