Creating a Productive Working From Home Environment

Working from home has become the new normal, both with positives and negatives. The negatives can be that we feel less productive, have an unbalanced work- home environment and make us demotivated. However, it seems that working from home will become integrated into life post covid, so it is important to understand how to create a productive working from home environment to be as successful and happy as possible. 

1. CREATING A DESIGNATED WORK SPACE IN THE HOME. Having a set space in the home allows that distinction of 'going to work'. It also means you can personalise the space more by keeping out your laptop and planner and setting it up as if you were in an office. 

2. GREENERY AND PLANTS. Buying a potted plant for your work space is proven to make you more productive and happy. They are also affordable and provide other health benefits as well as make your workspace look more appealing. 

3. HAVE A ROUTINE. What time are you going to start work everyday, when will your lunch be, when are you going to exercise. Also making time on the weekend to have a day or two off can refresh you for the next week ahead and prevent burnout. 

4. TALK TO PEOPLE. It can be very easy to ignore everyone and sit with your head in a computer screen, so make an effort to talk to people as this can relieve your thoughts from work. 

5. PICK UP A HOBBIE. Whenever I need a break away from my laptop, my phone and screen time overall I bake, workout or go for a walk. Perhaps you could play an instrument or do some art, something unrelated to work will help you be more productive. 

6. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT. Does your laptop work well or do you need to rent one from the university, do you have pens, paper. Use physical materials like we would in studio. It is important to stay creative through physical means, this can also help you come to a design idea quicker and make you feel more productive. 

7. DON'T WORK FROM YOUR BED! Although sometimes it feels like a good idea to do work from your bed you're drawing over the line of rest and work. It is important to keep the two things separate so they don't relate in your head, making sleeping unenjoyable.