Summary: There are a lot of people who enjoy working from home, whether in WA, CO, ID, or OR; however, with the COVID-19 pandemic, many people who are not used to working from home are forced into this new arrangement. In this article, we’ll discuss some tips to help you stay sane during this unique circumstance while still helping you be productive.

It can be hard for individuals to stay focused when they are stuck in the environment at home. Particularly if the kids are home from school, it is easy to get distracted. Fortunately, there are a few ways people can retain their sanity as they work from home.

Set Up a Designated Home Office

Working from a designated area in the house where you can focus on your work is more conducive to productivity than just randomly working from any spot.

For instance, working from the kitchen table might work temporarily, until it’s time to set the table for dinner and you’re forced to get rid of all your work and move it elsewhere. Or, you could be interrupted on a regular basis as other family members pass through wherever you happen to be working and disrupt your train of thought.

This can be incredibly distracting. Instead, you should choose a room in the home where you can set up your workshop (if the space permits) and use that space specifically for your Washington home office. Doing so can help minimize distractions and can foster a more productive environment.

Get Into A Routine

One of the first steps people need to follow is to find a routine. It can be tempting to sleep in every day, procrastinate while watching TV, and take long breaks for meals; however, it is critical to remember that there is still a job to do. Try to wake up at the same time every day. Start work at a consistent hour. Take a consistent break for lunch. Finding a routine will make working from home feel more like a job than a vacation.

Take Advantage Of Technology

Even though working from home can feel lonely, it doesn’t have to be this way. With technology, it is easy for people to stay in touch with their partners from work. Use technology to talk to people. Check up on others and see how they are doing. Ask for help when it is needed. Communicate with multiple people at a time. This is incredibly important for those who work in a team. At the same time, those who typically work alone should make sure this doesn’t become a distraction.

Move Around From Time to Time

If you’re sitting at a computer all day, make sure to schedule in regular intervals where you get up and move around. Perform a quick stretch routine, or simply march on the spot for a few minutes. Take a quick stroll around your house or step outside for a brief walk. Moving your body is not only physically beneficial, but it can do a lot of good for your emotional well-being too.

Outfit Your Home Office With Plants

A little greenery can do your mental and emotional health some good. Plants can even help keep your cognitive functions at an optimal level to ensure that productivity doesn’t lag when you’re working.

When setting up your Colorado home office consider adding some greenery to the space. Studies have shown that plants are good for your health. Not only do they look pretty and help foster some healthy oxygen inside your home, but they can boost concentration and productivity by as much as 15%! Plus, they’ve been shown to help alleviate stress and anxiety while elevating mood.

Don’t just limit houseplants to your home office; consider adding them all over your house to help generate a more positive vibe in your Oregon home throughout the current health crisis we’re all going through.

Stay in Touch With Co-Workers

Come up with different ways to stay in touch with work colleagues. Email is always available, but consider other tools to help keep productivity and communication high, as well as to help keep you connected with others. Chat platforms like Slack are great for instantaneous messaging, especially when certain information needs to be communicated quickly.

Pick Up the Phone and Call Someone

It can be pretty easy to wallow in self-isolation. And while you may be keeping in touch with your boss or with colleagues via email or chat, sometimes it’s nice to hear someone’s voice. And while that may not be possible in person right now, there should be nothing stopping you from picking up the phone and having a real dialogue with someone, whether it’s a co-worker, a friend, or a family member. Just a few minutes a day can keep you connected while doing your mind and emotional self some good.

Get Enough Sleep

Just because you don’t have to report to the office and clock in at a certain hour doesn’t mean you should take advantage and stay up until all hours of the night. Getting a good night’s rest is important for optimal productivity, not to mention your overall health.

During this time of a health crisis, keeping yourself healthy is of paramount importance. So make sure to get your 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night to stay healthy, keep alert, and maintain decent levels of productivity.

Maintain a Consistent Schedule

Since you’re home 24 hours a day, you technically have all hours of the day (or night) to do your work. While this is a possibility, it isn’t really good for your health and sanity. Rather than working sporadically throughout the day, consider sticking to a schedule.

For instance, if your normal work schedule was 8 to 4 before you were forced to set up shop at home, try to stick to that same schedule. This will not only be good for work and for your emotional health, but it will also be conducive to better family life as well. As important as work is, try not to let it throw a wrench in family time.

Learn Something New Every Day

Finally, take the time to learn something new! Those who no longer have a morning or evening commute are going to wind up with some extra free time on their hands. Take this opportunity to learn something new. Even though some people might feel like they are being forced to work from home in Idaho, turn this situation into a positive one. use the extra time wisely and find a way to expand those horizons ever so slightly. Learning new skills can pay big dividends down the road.

Curious About Mortgages?

Do you have questions about mortgages? We can answer them. Are you ready to apply for a home loan? We can help. Sammamish Mortgage is a local, family-owned company based in Bellevue, Washington, and we currently offer many mortgage programs in all of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Colorado. Please contact us if you have any questions about mortgages or are ready to apply for a home loan!