Despite promising developments, many of us will likely remain working from home for a while now. Last year was a crash course in setting up a successful work-from-home system, and this year, we have an opportunity to fine-tune our setups. Here are some tips to make your work-from-home experience as good as it gets.

Improve the Lighting

Make sure you have plenty of good lighting in your workspace. Get a new lamp, if necessary, or move your desk closer to the window (assuming that being near a window won’t be a distraction in the long run). Poor light can create mental health issues, strain the eyes, and cause headaches.

Create an Efficient & Pleasant Space

Just because you’re working from home doesn’t mean you should treat your workspace less mindfully than you do you at the office. Make sure your workspace is well-organized, which reduces stressful visual clutter and increases efficiency. And make it pretty, too, with photos, knickknacks, and a beautiful view from your window. Believe it or not, beauty can help inspire productivity.

Create Tangible Boundaries

If you have the space, create one area (a room or even a corner in a room) that you use solely for work activities. If you don’t have a choice but to overlap your personal space with your workspace, create a visual that distinguishes work time from personal time. For instance, place a small table mat beneath your keyboard or laptop while you’re working and remove it when you’re off the clock. It’s essential to maintain boundaries when you work at home in order to protect your personal time.

Don’t forget to also keep your space as separate as possible from roommates, partners, or family members. Put up a divider or curtain, if necessary, and define the space you need during work hours. You can also wear noise-canceling headphones to help you focus when others are nearby.

Indulge in the Advantages of Working from Home

Working from home comes with its own set of struggles, so why not embrace the advantages? When you have your morning break, make yourself some tea and drink it while reclining on your couch. Take a cat nap during lunch. Enjoy all the perks of your home comforts.

For tips on how to create great work habits from home, check out Inc.

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