6 Ways to Maximize Your Home Office Productivity

April 11, 2021

5 min read

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Working from home can make it difficult to stay motivated throughout the day. If your attention span has shortened, these six home office productivity tips will help you stay alert, energized and focused on what you do best.

Prioritize Your Workspace

The first step to maintaining a productive home office is ensuring you have the proper layout and equipment. You will want to strike a balance between avoiding clutter while still making sure everything you need is easily accessible. Here are a few ways to optimize your space:

Use container bins, file cabinets and shelves to sort your documents and stay organized — try not to let papers pile up on your desk.
Without going overboard, add picture frames, knickknacks and personal touches that make you smile throughout the day.
Sit near a window to bring natural light into the room. Darker spaces will make you feel tired and gloomy. If this is not possible, you can purchase a lamp with special LED lights designed to mimic natural light.
Utilize your wall space by setting up a chalkboard wall, calendar or corkboard that allows you to easily jot down important notes and events without sacrificing desk or floor space.

Create a designated equipment center on a side table that houses your printer, fax machine, paper shredder and other supplies that would otherwise clutter your desk.

Give Your Eyes a Break

Staring at a computer screen all day can put a serious strain on your eyes. However, there are a few things you can do to reduce the damage. Turn down your brightness as much as possible, buy a pair of blue light glasses, and walk away from the computer occasionally, if you can. You can also install a computer software tool that adjusts your screen’s color temperature based on your location and the time of day.

Additionally, it has been proven that looking at screens for too long without breaks can lead to difficulty focusing, headaches, eye discomfort, blurred vision, and dry eyes. If you have been losing focus lately, it may be partially because your eyes are tired.

Sit in a Comfortable Chair

The right chair has the power to transform your work-from-home experience for the better. When selecting yours, look for a chair that has sufficient padding, adjustable armrests, and a smooth swivel, as well as the following features:

Adjustable seat height: A pneumatic lever is preferable.
Width and depth: Your chair should allow you to sit with your back on the backrest with 2 to 4 inches between the back of your knees and the chair’s seat.
Lumbar support: This supports your lower back, so you do not have to slouch.

Backrest: This should support your entire spine and follow its natural curve.

Though the price tag of some ergonomic chairs may alarm you at first, remember that this is where you will sit for 40 or more hours per week. Being comfortable is likely worth the splurge.

Stand or Get Light Exercise

No matter how comfortable your chair is, it can be easy to start searching for distractions if you sit in it for eight or more hours every day. Physical activity of any kind immediately boosts the brain's dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin levels — all of which affect your focus and attention. Something as simple as taking a brisk 20-minute walk during your lunch break can make a big difference in your mood.

If you are bound to your computer all day, consider buying a standing desk so you can get up on your feet as needed. There is even a wide variety of desk exercise equipment available, from stationary bikes and under-desk treadmills to wobble boards and stability balls.

Put Your Phone Away

If you struggle with avoiding on-screen distractions, hide — really hide — your phone. When it is out of sight and out of mind, you will be less tempted to check it throughout the day. If you feel more comfortable having your phone near you in case of an emergency or for work purposes, you can set restrictions to limit your screen time or lock certain applications. With all non-work-related technology out of the way, or at least well-controlled, you will feel more focused on doing your job well.

Take Care of Your Body

Your overall lifestyle habits can have a large impact on your home office productivity. Strive to drink plenty of water, eat nutritious meals, find time to relax before bed, and get at least seven hours of sleep each night. With a healthy routine in place, you will feel refreshed — not groggy — when you wake up for a full day of work. Though this is often easier said than done when you have a busy schedule, self-care matters. If you have been feeling sluggish and unproductive at work, it may have less to do with your home office setup and more to do with a less-than-healthy weekday pattern.

Are you searching for a new home that has the perfect office space? Britton Homes’ flexible floor plans will help you improve your home office productivity. Find a luxurious, move-in ready home in one of Texas’ most desirable neighborhoods today!