How to Stay Focused and Productive on WFH Days

Many people love hybrid work schedules because they offer more flexibility. You get to socialize with your co-workers and reserve a few days during the week to recharge at home.

For some, it can feel challenging to stay productive without a professional environment. Try a few new strategies to remain focused on your work whenever you clock in from home.

1. Listen to Nature Sounds

You might think that focusing requires honing your thoughts, but it’s not entirely an internal battle. Consider the sounds around you while you work from home. If you’re listening to a podcast, music or a YouTube video, the content could split your attention.

Swap your background noise with sounds that are good for your brain. Nature sounds can decrease your overall stress, which might be what you need to get back to your typical productivity levels. Find a noise app or video with nature sounds. Once you start wearing your headphones, you might find that your productivity skyrockets.

2. Schedule Short Breaks

Your overall energy level affects your focus. Give yourself frequent opportunities to recharge by scheduling short breaks. When your brain gets a chance to rest, you’ll return to your work with a better ability to stay on task. If you have kids, you could even time your breaks with their naps to recharge in an extra quiet environment.

3. Eat Healthier Meals

Working from home often means snacking more. If you’re eating processed snacks and meals that aren’t super nutritious, you might struggle to stay focused because they make you lethargic. Use your work-from-home days as opportunities to eat healthier.

You’ll have more time to make lunch, so whip up a salad or whole grain wraps. The omega-3s in a salmon salad will boost your cognitive functioning by fueling your brain with fatty acids. You might also feel energized after a sandwich filled with lettuce, veggies and protein. Swapping one meal or snack each day could be all you need to stay focused on the clock.

4. Put Your Phone Away

Where does your phone sit while you work? You might have it on silent mode while the screen faces up. Seeing notifications appearing throughout the day could be the issue stealing your attention. Try putting your phone screen face down or hiding it in a drawer. If you forget that it’s there, you won’t feel tempted to open those notifications or scroll through your social media feeds.

5. Try Walking While You Work

Walking during the workday isn’t easy when you’re in an office building. That all changes on your work-from-home days. Try walking while you’re on the clock, like scheduling your typical calls during a walk around your neighborhood. You’ll increase your energy by using your muscles, which is a great solution if you don’t want to add another cup of caffeine to your routine.

People also report that using a walking pad under their desks improves their productivity because it’s easier to stay mentally active while you’re physically active. Consider which option would fit better for your lifestyle. If it would bring you more joy to push your child in a stroller while you’re on the phone, you’ll know which type of workday exercise to try while improving your productivity.

6. Keep a Remote Work Schedule

Commuting to a workplace automatically starts whatever routine your job demands. Working from home doesn’t start the same way. Consider making a remote work routine if you don’t already have one. Starting a weekday schedule differently than your weekend schedule will train your brain to kick into high gear when you need to be productive.

Try beginning your days by dressing in professional clothes to automatically set them apart from your Saturday or Sunday mornings. If you maintain that schedule long-term, your brain will feel ready to dive into your to-do list because it knows you’re not hanging out at home to relax.

7. Set Workday Boundaries

Boundaries are essential in numerous ways, but they’re especially important for people who occasionally work from home. It’s tempting to answer emails well past dinner just because you can log in from your kitchen. Although it might get you slightly ahead of tomorrow’s calendar, it prevents your mind from having a chance to reset your productivity levels.

Maintaining a hard line between your personal and work life also strengthens your mental health by ensuring that you don’t feel like you’re constantly on the clock. You’ll feel less stressed when your next workday begins, so focusing on challenging tasks won’t become overwhelming.

8. Avoid Working In Your Pajamas

Everyone’s bedtime routine looks different, but you likely wear pajamas like most other people. It’s nice to work from home in your pajamas occasionally, but it can also convince your brain that it’s time to wind down. Your mind is used to thinking about getting into your pajamas as it’s settling in for the night. You’ll have more energy on the clock if you wear regular clothes or a professional wardrobe while you’re clocking in from your living room.

Increase Your Productivity and Focus at Home

Improving your focus and productivity during work-from-home days shouldn’t feel impossible. There are always small improvements you can make to your routine. Think about how much you’d enjoy things like healthier food, gentle walks or boundaries after work hours. With time and practice, you’ll figure out the best ways to boost your work performance when you don’t need to drive to the office.

// Mia Barnes, Editor-in-Chief of Body+Mind Magazine