Working from home can be challenging when it comes to navigating creative blocks, maintaining productivity, and motivating yourself to work. If you’ve been struggling with focusing while working from home or being productive, try changing up your environment! Whether you change work spots (i.e. moving from the kitchen table to an office) or renovate your space to encourage more mood-boosting elements, just know you don’t have to be stuck in a rut when it comes to trying to find balance while working from home.
Lighting
Lighting can make a huge difference when it comes to boosting your mood and encouraging more work hours. Having lots of natural light in your home is beneficial for health and also promotes a more grounded schedule. For example, waking up when the sun rises is a great way to encourage your body to slowly start the day, and stop working once the sun goes down so you are able to mentally and physically wind down.
Having good lighting in your home is also helpful for productivity when it comes to Zoom calls, filming or shooting content (pictures), and just promoting a more energetic environment. If you live in a place that has limited natural sunlight, especially during the winter months, opting for lamps, ring lights, and other ways to illuminate your space are ideal to have a bright and engaging workspace year-round.
Organization
Let’s be honest, no one is able to productively work when their space is cluttered. Investing in filing systems (folders and cabinets), taking the time to clean your space, and having unnecessary things out of sight is optimal for ceasing distractions. It also makes it easier to operate when your space is tidy and everything has a spot, plus the mood-boosting benefits of having a clean space are unbeatable.
In addition to organizing your space, ensuring that your virtual space is organized can help promote more efficiency when working. For example, deleting files that haven’t been used in over a year, or cleaning up your social media followings can make huge impacts on the content you are taking in and the time it takes for you to locate items.
Plants
Plants are great for cleaning the air, rejuvenating your space and eliciting a sense of liveliness to your home. The fact that something (other than a human or pet) is able to thrive in your environment has positive effects on our brain and can promote creativity as well.
If you struggle with keeping plants alive, here are some options for you:
Succulents (just a spritz of water every so often)
Orchids (depending on size, require 1-3 ice cubes once a week to thrive)
Pothos plant (only requires medium-lit spaces and water when dry)
Chinese Evergreen (requires water when top soil is dry, can survive 2-3 weeks without water)
Parlour Palm (can sustain most temperatures, and some neglect)
Ultimately, if you still are a self-proclaimed plant murderer, you can always opt for fake plants to spruce up your environment without the commitment.
Candles, Diffusers, and Other Scents
Arguably the best feeling is when you have a freshly cleaned house, and a newly lit candle. The aromatic sensations that help alleviate stress and promote creativity with a sense of comfort are great as a budget-friendly way to tune your environment. Plus, with so many options, you can switch up the candle scents or diffuser oils based on what you need.
For diffusers, some great options for scents are:
Eucalyptus for sickness relief
Lavender for stress relief
Lemongrass to promote a sense of change or cleanliness
Frankincense for asthma relief
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