Working from home has many benefits. However, many people still need help finding ways to focus better for remote work. After all, several distractions such as household chores, family, the TV and your smartphone can hamper your ability to perform well.

Get your groove back even on low-motivation days with these 10 handy productivity hacks when working from home.

1.   Organize and Design Your Workstation

One of the best energy hacks when working from home is curating your workspace with visuals that enhance your mood. You must keep your space tidy and visually appealing to energize you throughout the day. Consider adding these to your workspace:

• Indoor plants: Houseplants could kill toxins like formaldehyde from your indoor air. They also add a pop of color that brings a sense of calm.
• Photographs: Photos that remind you of your goals and dreams can keep you moving forward when you’re feeling uninspired.
• Quotations: Like photographs, your favorite quotes can provide extra push when you feel low on motivation and energy levels.
• Personal souvenirs: Keepsakes such as those from your recent travels empower you to work hard so you can play harder.

Aside from these motivational ornaments, your workspace must be ergonomically comfortable. You wouldn’t want to pause every 30 minutes because of an aching lower back pain. Invest in an ergonomic chair and maintain proper posture to mitigate health issues such as sciatica.

2.   Create a Daily To-Do List

If you’re looking for a way to focus better for remote work, try listing and organizing your tasks before tackling the day. This can help set your mindset to finish everything on time. You can write your tasks on a whiteboard, online calendar or a productivity app.

3.   Set Your Phone in Do Not Disturb Mode (DND)

Turning your smartphone into DND mode helps ward off distracting notifications from your phone. If you find yourself scrolling through your phone every 10 minutes, this simple yet effective tip can help boost your focus.

DND mode can also direct incoming calls to voicemail or another number. It’s also beneficial when you duck in and out of meetings. You can schedule DND to turn on and off automatically at specific times of the day.

4.   Do Time Blocking

Do you struggle with meeting deadlines? One way to eliminate procrastination is to implement a time-blocking technique. This helps you divide your day into chunks of time to set clear deadlines. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to scheduling your tasks — it depends on your preference, the nature of your work and your work style.

For instance, you can prioritize and batch smaller tasks and get them out of the way first thing in the morning. This way, you can reduce mental clutter and confusion from jumping between different projects.

5.   Drink Coffee or Tea

Many people consume coffee before or while working for the same reason — to stay alert and focused at work. It’s one of the easiest energy hacks when working from home because it only takes a few minutes to prepare your drink.

If you want to skip the coffee jitters, try consuming tea. Aside from its fat-burning benefits, a cup of green tea helps improve cognitive function, possibly due to the caffeine and L-theanine content.

6.   Determine Your Most Productive Hours

Knowing your peak hours is essential in learning how to focus better while working remotely. Pay attention to when you’re most productive. For instance, if you are most likely to finish work in the morning, plan your high-priority tasks around this time. Taking advantage of your high energy levels can help you complete work on time.

Identify when you feel thrown off course. For instance, does skipping your morning workout affect your focus? Take notes on these tiny details so you can plan your day better.

7.   Get Active

Exercise is essential for your physical and mental wellness. Start your day with a stroll, a swim, or any exercise to get your heart pumping. Taking a few minutes during your workday to move can help boost your alertness.

Your exercise routine doesn’t need to be elaborate — taking light stretches to combat shoulder and back pain can significantly improve your focus. Low-impact aerobic activities like yoga are beneficial after a stressful day, helping you regain calmness and relaxation.

8.   Stay Hydrated

Your hydration levels can affect your brain function. A study found that staying hydrated can improve working memory and cognitive performance. Start your workday right by drinking one glass of water. Keep a water bottle in your workstation so it’s easier to stay hydrated throughout the day.

9.   Bring Natural Light into Your Workspace

Working in a room with no daylight can feel mentally draining. Opening your curtains to make way for natural light can help stimulate creativity and enhance alertness, helping you stay productive throughout the day.

Aside from giving your much-needed productivity boost, natural light also provides vitamin D, an essential nutrient for the immune system and bone health. Another perk that sunlight offers is it can help you save money on energy costs.

10.       Play Background Music

Living in a noisy household can distract you from work. Playing music in the background can help drown disturbing noises, helping you shift your focus back to work. However, it’s worth noting that not all music will work.

Set your favorite rock songs for later and choose ambient sounds, like nature music, video game tracks, classical pieces and soundscapes. Before you start a task requiring deep work or creativity, play an up-tempo song to boost your mood and give you a positive jump-start to your workday.

11.       Take a Break

Taking a break allows you to go faster. Rest can feel like a luxury in a never-ending list of tasks to accomplish. However, some downtime away from work is essential for productivity and focus — not to mention your physical and mental well-being. Whenever you’re feeling tired or overwhelmed, do yourself a favor and take that 10-minute power nap.

Try Out These Energy Hacks When Working From Home

Staying alert while working at home can be more enjoyable with these actionable tips. While improving your productivity levels, remember not to stretch yourself too thin and take rests in between. Try these hacks and see which ones will work best for you.