Are you working from home this lockdown and looking for ways to boost your productivity whilst working? If like many other people you are adjusting to working in a new workspace, you may feel a shift in mood or energy as you adapt to your new lifestyle. Here at Harmoni, we’ve put together five tips which will help you stay productive whilst working at home this next month. Follow these tips and you’ll be sure to perform at your best at work and optimise the time and energy you spend whilst working.
1- Prepare the night before
It’s no secret that in order to perform at our best we need to have excellent preparation. So why not get one step ahead and organise your day in advance the night before? Little steps like putting out your gym clothes ready for your workout the next day, clearing and preparing your desk space, or even making your lunch the night before will allow you to have an easy, simple morning without the usual stress.
Don’t leave things last minute - have your bag packed ready to go as if you were leaving the house (even though the majority of us aren’t). This will definitely help you to stay focused at your work. By sticking to your normal routine as much as possible you’ll feel organised and ready-to-go, you might even have extra time in the morning for that coffee you usually take-to-go.
2- Use a planner
Invest in an organisational planner to help keep you motivated and productive whilst working. Planners are excellent tools to help you organise your time and also set goals and intentions. After each week, you can use the space in your planner to record areas of improvement for that week; writing down your short term and long term goals. By checking in with your planner regularly, you will find that you become a lot more driven and proactive in achieving your goal for the day, that week or perhaps even the month!
Planners are also excellent tools in allowing you to not only stay productive whilst working, but also in scheduling time to relax at the weekend outside of work. We might not be able to go shopping or to an independent coffee shop, but we can still enjoy a beautiful walk in the park with the people we live with. It’s so important to make time to relax and de-stress from the week’s events. On the plus side, by switching off from our phones and embracing nature, you might also find you are more productive at your work.
Use your planner to set clear goals which are challenging, yet also achievable. If we constantly strive to be perfect, are we being realistic? Often we will become less motivated if we feel overloaded with targets. Try setting one goal today which you are going to follow through on and make sure you do this. Without clear intentions, how can you stay productive whilst working?
3- Drink plenty of water!
It is really important to stay hydrated otherwise your physical performance will suffer. Boost your productivity while working by drinking plenty of water, this will help you to maintain your energy levels and keep your brain functioning. According to healthline.com, in a study of young women, researchers found that fluid loss of 1.4% after exercise impaired both mood and concentration. It also increased the frequency of headaches!
Drinking plenty of water can also help to prevent and treat headaches. Dehydration is the most common cause of headaches according to healthline.com. A study involving three hundred and ninety-three participants found that forty percent of people experienced a headache as a result of dehydration.
Try adding slices of fruit to your drink for extra natural sweetness. We also recommend using a sustainable water bottle so that you reduce your plastic waste!
4- Get a good night's sleep
There are many reasons why sleep is particularly important for your body’s health. Sleep can improve your memory and reduce stress after all, but did you know that sleep can impact many of the chemicals in your body, including serotonin? According to verywellhealth.com, people with serotonin deficiencies are more likely to suffer from depression.
It is therefore recommended to get seven to nine hours of sleep every night to help reduce stress and even lower your blood pressure. Boost your productivity whilst working by having a great night’s sleep, this will help keep you feeling fresh and energised throughout your working day.
5- Aim for thirty minutes of exercise every day
Additionally, boost your productivity whilst working by taking thirty minutes out of your day to do some light exercise. Whilst you might not be heading into your office at the moment, you can still fit in some exercise either at home, or by going for a walk after your lunch. Exercise is great for your physical and mental health and will leave you feeling energised and productive for your afternoon working!
We recommend using our Harmoni desk stand whilst you work to boost your productivity. For many people, sitting down all day can have a negative effect on their physical health. Our Harmoni desk stand is sustainable, stylish and an affordable alternative which is easily adjustable and can fit into compact spaces. Have a look on our website for more information!
Conclusion
Now that many of us are working from home, we all need an energy booster sometimes when we’re working. Be sure to boost your productivity whilst working by incorporating a work planner and some daily exercise into your routine! Make sure to stay on top of your workload by organising your ‘to do’ list and preparing the night before as best you can for the next day.
Twenty minutes of planning the night before could save you hours of unneeded stress. What’s more, with our standing desk you can create an awesome workspace which works around you and your lifestyle! Stay at your optimum level of productivity by adopting some of our tips and advice.
Written by Katie Bodha
Sources
‘13 simple ways to boost productivity at work with a nightly routine’ - Jedidiah Alex Koh - https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2020/11/02/13-simple-ways-to-boost-productivity-at-work-with-a-nightly-routine/
‘10 ways to increase your productivity whilst working from home- https://theguideliverpool.com/10-ways-to-increase-your-productivity-whilst-working-from-home/
‘15 easy ways to boost productivity-how to be productive when working from home’- https://peakyourpinterest.co.uk/15-easy-ways-to-boost-productivity-working-from-home/
‘7 science based health benefits of drinking enough water’- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/7-health-benefits-of-water
‘Top 10 Benefits of a Good Night’s Sleep’ by Laura Barns - https://www.dreams.co.uk/sleep-matters-club/top-10-benefits-good-nights-sleep/
‘10 Benefits of a Good Night’s Sleep’- https://www.verywellhealth.com/top-health-benefits-of-a-good-nights-sleep-2223766/