The spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) has drastically changed the way we live, work, and play. We will perhaps be forever changed by this unprecedented world we now live in.

In recent years, remote work has become popular and fairly commonplace. But today, as the pandemic continues, working from home has become something entirely different. It has become the only way that work gets done. 

For traditionally office-bound professionals, working from home means taking advantage of the many perks that come with being remote. You’re able to save time and money by avoiding the daily commute to the office. You can create your own work environment and tailor your office space to your needs. No longer are you confined to one desk or one dedicated space; you can work wherever you want so long as it’s at home. 

Despite the convenience, there are certainly challenges of working at home. There are increased distractions from kids and spouses that are also forced into the same shelter-at-home situation. There are no physical boundaries between work life and home life, which means you have to stay focused, even while knowing there’s beer in the fridge and a gaming console in the next room. And, working with colleagues now requires a little more formality without impromptu brainstorming sessions by the water cooler or meeting follow-ups in the hallway.

Although there are certainly challenges to working from home, the benefits of greater autonomy and the promise of more hours in the day have overwhelming upsides. Here are a few tips I’ve come across that make some of the challenges easier to master and help to boost productivity: 

Stick to a Schedule

Just as you’ve done in the past, get up at the same time each day and start your morning routine. Set aside important tasks and goals the day before so that when you sit down in front of your computer you know exactly what you need to address first. 

Take Breaks

Working without breaks can lead to burnout, but admittedly this is something I’m really bad at when I’m at the office. However, working nonstop at home poses an even greater risk of burnout because I don’t have the luxury of “going home” at the end of the day. To avoid burnout, and feeling like I’m chained to my desk, occasional breaks throughout the day are essential. 

Move

Exercise is always something I try to do regularly, but while being cooped up it’s absolutely essential. Getting the heart rate up works wonders for both physical and mental health, especially while in confinement. Without a commute, there’s more time in the day so make use of it! For once I’m actually able to carve more time out of the day for exercise. It’s been such a treat to get up early and break a sweat before hitting the emails. 

Stay connected 

“Self-isolation” doesn’t have to mean you’re always on your own. Use technology, like email, instant messaging, and video conferencing services, to keep up relationships with friends, family, and colleagues. 

Control Communication

Don’t let the technology mentioned above control you. Set specific times to check in with your manager or co-workers so that you don’t get overwhelmed or distracted. When setting meetings, schedule them around the times that make the most sense for the way you work so that they don’t prevent you from other solo tasks that require more focus.

Get Fresh Air

Eat lunch outside, go for a walk, or simply open your window. Sunlight, fresh air, and the sounds of birds chirping can have a powerfully positive effect and prevent cabin fever. 

Use To-Do Lists

Whether you’re at home or at the office, there’s only so much time in a day so you’ve got to prioritize. Keep a running list of your tasks to prevent any distractions from getting in the way. I like to use Google Keep to organize my to-dos. Layout everything you need to achieve before the workday is done so that you know where to pick-up the next day. 

Set Clear Finish Times

In the past, whenever I would work from home I would end up putting in many more hours than I normally would at the office. Now, without ever physically leaving the “office” it’s more important than ever to set boundaries to achieve proper balance.