While working from home has a long list of benefits–i.e., no commute, saving money on gas and meals, and working in pajamas–it also requires serious dedication. With distractions like television, the family dog, and social media, it can be easy to avoid the work you need to get done.
For some, working from home means working on the couch, while others have designated office spaces used as the work hub. No matter where you choose to set up shop, it’s important that you set yourself up for success to maximize your creativity and productivity. By making these small adjustments to your work from home space, you can get stuff done and be the best small business owner that you can be.
How To Boost Creativity and Productivity With Your Work From Home Space
Work In The Quietest Space In The House
It should come as no surprise that you will likely work harder when you set yourself up in the quietest room in your home. If you are the type of person who needs background noise to help you focus, use white noise extensions and apps such as Noisli. Or try playing music from Spotify, such as this Deep Focus playlist which is meant to help, not distract.
And speaking of sound, if you do opt to listen to music or white noise, you’ll want to invest in a high-quality pair of headphones. It can be hard to focus when you’re struggling to hear your Zoom call, or you have others in the house who work from home who are on calls all day, and all you want is silence.
Related: Apps and Extensions That Make Owning A Business Easier
Keep Your Desk Decluttered
I know that when my desk is covered in papers and other miscellaneous knick-knacks, all I can think about is the mess. Keeping your workspace clean and organized will help you kick start your day on the right foot so you can focus on working rather than cleaning.
If you find that your desk has gotten dirty throughout the day, make it a priority to clean it before logging off for the day. This way, you don’t have to worry about doing it in the morning, so you’ll have more time to sip on your coffee and prepare for the day.
Upgrade Your Lighting
Studies have shown how the lighting and colors of a room can influence your mood, so why not apply these findings to your work area? If possible, work in a room that has a lot of natural light. In a study done by Prialto, it was found that sunlight has a powerful effect on employees’ mental health, boosting their mood, and lessening anxiety. This leads to higher job satisfaction and productivity levels.
If your space does not offer a lot of natural light, start your day with a short walk or exercise session in the backyard. This allows you to soak up some Vitamin D before your day even begins. You can also invest in a Circadian light fixture–aka a strategically designed system that sends signals to our brain, telling our bodies whether it is morning or night. This means the color-changing light synchronizes with the naturally occurring color temperature of the sky.
Surround Yourself With Plants
Not only do house plants make a home feel cozier, but they also purify the air, decrease stress levels, and boost productivity. In fact, according to a Netherlands and UK study, bringing plants into a working environment increased productivity by 15%. Another study done in the US found that 10% of sick days were potentially caused by a lack of nature or natural light. Not to mention, the ability to see natural beauty can positively affect your mood and self-esteem.
If you don’t know where to begin, or you’ve failed as a plant parent in the past, try your hand out at a snake plant, spider plant, ZZ plant, or succulent. These are hard to kill while still offering the health benefits one needs in their work from home space.
Add Personal Decor
According to a paper published in PsycNet Journal, if you have no personal decorations, you are working in the “most toxic space” possible. Seem a little dramatic? We know–yet it’s true! Personal touches such as photos, books, souvenirs from past trips, etc., are conducive to boosted productivity.
Related: How to Create the Perfect Home Office Setup
Keep Distractions Nearby
I know what you’re probably thinking–this whole list is about removing distractions and being the hardest worker you can be. So why would you want distractions nearby? You must take breaks throughout the day to maximize your productivity. Whether this is a book, a game, yoga, having these productive distractions and breaks will help prevent you from becoming burnt out quickly. You want to keep these distractions nearby, but out of sight so you’re not constantly tempted.
Change Up Your Work From Home Space From Time to Time
One of the beauties of working from home is that you can work from anywhere you’d like. Working from your home can become mundane quickly, so don’t be afraid to change up the scenery now and then. Hit your local coffee shop and bring your computer. This will help break up the routine that you are used to, allow you to support a local business, and give you the chance to enjoy some delicious food and beverage.
Wear Blue Light Glasses
Okay, so this one may not have anything to do with your work from home space itself, but it will make a world of difference. Too much screen time can cause damage to both our mental and physical health. How many times have you found yourself sitting in front of your computer for hours at a time, only to walk away with a throbbing headache? Or maybe after a long day of work, you find that you’re having difficulty sleeping.
In a 2020 study by Alcon/Ipsos, among the people who reported they increased their screen time, 45% experienced dry eyes, and 60% were concerned about the long-term effects of artificial light. And this is something people should be concerned about. 50% of people do experience some kind of digital eye strain (DES).
While the most logical solution would be to cut down screen time, we know this isn’t practical for most small business owners. The good news is, wearing blue light glasses–glasses that filter out blue light and regulate your circadian rhythm–can help reduce eyestrain and the symptoms that come along with it.
Final Thoughts on How To Boost Creativity and Productivity With Your Work From Home Space
As remote working continues to rise, it looks like the world will be spending most of its time indoors in the comfort of our own home. Make these eight small changes and watch how your creativity, productivity, and overall happiness improve.
If you’re a business owner looking to focus more on productive tasks and need someone to help take care of all of your accounting needs, be sure to contact us here at CloudFriday. And see our list of services here!
