Effective Ways to Stay Productive While Telecommuting

Remote working is not a new thing in the US but a lifesaver in the current situation when social distancing is one of the primary requisites to keep ourselves safe.

According to a Riverbed report, 31% of people believe that the pandemic has been a catalyst in the acceptance of remote working - 88% of companies worldwide have allowed their employees to shift to a home-office model.

The work from home trend was already on an upward trajectory for the past couple of years. It grew by 22% between 2017 and 2018. The COVID-19 pandemic increased it multi-fold. Before the pandemic and the nationwide lockdown, about 7 million people in the US were working from home. Now, about 66% of employees have taken the remote working option, which has led to a 17% rise in the number.

The challenges of working from home
This sudden shift to working from home has come with its challenges too. Apart from loneliness and claustrophobia, many people also don’t have the proper WFH infrastructure to enhance their productivity. This apart, one also tends to lose track of time while working from home, leading to indiscipline and an unhealthy lifestyle. Last but not least, there’s a lack of collaboration and an increase in domestic distractions that affect productivity to a great extent.

As the situation isn’t in our control at the moment, you should understand that remote working isn’t an option that you may take or reject. Instead, you should try to identify the problem areas and find effective solutions to those.

Let’s help you with that. Scroll on to know how you can increase your productivity while working from home.

Organize your workstation
The foremost thing that you should do is select a secluded area to work and organize your workstation. Remove clutter and clean the area to make it suitable for some serious office work. You should also make the necessary technical arrangements. For instance, install charging stations for your electronic devices, keep essential stationery items like pens, markers, notepads, and papers at your reach, and empty the drawers of unnecessary things, like gaming CDs, DVDs, old cables, to avoid distractions. Treating your home workstation as that of your office will help you stay organized and boost productivity.

Create a schedule
Just because you’re working from home doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have a schedule. You should maintain the same schedule you did when you commuted to your office regularly. Wake up at a definite time, have breakfast, freshen up, and then sit to work. In the evening, make it a point to end your work and go to sleep at the right time. Talk to your employer about these things, as you need your own space and proper work-life balance too. Working long hours at a stretch for days will automatically affect your productivity, so take breaks in between and spend some time with your family as well.

Maintain proper posture
Whether you’re working from home or the office, you should maintain proper posture at all times. The ergonomics matter in enhancing productivity and shouldn’t be ignored at any cost. Avoid working on the bed or sofa and if possible, invest in an ergonomic chair and desk to maintain proper posture while working. Make sure you keep the computer screen at the level of your eyebrows to prevent slouching, as it can lead to musculoskeletal disorders over time. Also, see that your feet are at the ground level and not raised while sitting at the desk.

Eat healthily
Staying at home and staring at a computer screen constantly can affect your brain functions, focus, and concentration to a great extent. You can neutralize these effects by following a healthy diet. Junk foods, caffeine, and alcohol can have adverse effects on your health, so limit their intake. Increase the consumption of Vitamin D, as your body is not getting exposed to enough sunlight, which is one of the biggest natural sources of this vitamin. Egg yolks, Salmon, Tuna, Fish Liver, Beef, and cheese are some of the foods rich in Vitamin D. A deficiency in this vitamin can degrade your immune system and reduce your body’s ability to fight diseases. You should also take enough protein, good fat, and mineral-rich foods to prevent falling sick in these critical times. If you maintain good health, your productivity will automatically soar.

Exercise regularly
While it isn’t safe to hit the gym right now, you can always practice yoga and other exercises at home. Try to work out for at least 30 minutes every day to detoxify your body and mind. It will not only give you the necessary energy to work but also enhance mental clarity, which has a direct effect on productivity. This apart, exercising regularly will also help you divert your mind from the present crisis, which will also eliminate symptoms of depression or anxiety if any.

Wrapping it up
The more relaxed you are from inside, the better chances you will notice in your productivity levels. So, take some time out from your schedule and indulge in old hobbies, like music, cooking, and other stuff that makes you happy. Spend some quality time with your family in the evening and don’t get consumed by work. All these things will positively affect your productivity and help you make the best of your work from home sessions.