Photo Credit: Public Domain Pictures

By Nurul Ain Omar

During the Covid-19 pandemic, many employees were asked to work from home to stay safe. Working from home brings some advantages such as time saved from travelling, being more productive at work and better energy levels. 

However, for some employees, they face difficulty working from home due to domestic disruptions and the inability to adapt. Some even have poor time management skills and this would disrupt their productivity due to overworking. If you are worried or are struggling to be productive when you work from home, there are a few ways to boost productivity. 

One of the ways is to sleep and wake up at the usual time that you did when you go to the office. This is to ensure that you have sufficient time for breakfast, doing your laundry, household chores and even exercising before you start work. You would feel refreshed when you start work and less tired. You could also plan your work that needed to be completed for the day. 

You may also set aside an exclusive spot at home as your work station. If you enjoy looking at scenery, you may place your work desk near a window with a good view. If you are a music enthusiast, you may play some relaxing music or your favourite songs to help you be more focused in your work. Besides, you may also decorate your desk with items that may motivate you such as motivational quotes, family photos and also mini potted plants. 

Another way to stay motivated is to change into work attire while you’re at home. It will also make you feel and look good if you are attending work meetings on that day. You would also need to be more organised and meet given deadlines. 

While working from home, it is tempting to sit at our desk and continue working without rest for the entire day. Thus, it is important to take 5-minute short breaks or do light stretches every few hours. If you feel stressed out at work, you could have light snacks or drinks while taking a break to clear your mind. While having lunch, it is best to use your 1 hour lunch break to enjoy your meal and relax somewhere else that is away from your workstation. A good chair and wrist support would also help your posture while working. 

It is also important to know that different home working environments work best for different people. Everyone would have their own ways to be more productive at work. As such, it is best to know what suits you and go ahead with what works for you.

** The views expressed on this opinion is of the writer and not the publisher