7 ways to make your home workspace more productive

Remote working comes with many perks like flexible working hours, less commuting time, better work-life balance, to name a few.

But one of the best things about working from home is that it gives you the ability and freedom to create the space you need to complete your tasks. With that in mind, here are seven tips to help you create a great, concentration-boosting workspace to make your home workspace more productive.

Make sure you are comfortable

If you have ever sat at your desk to do work tasks but found yourself stretching, adjusting and moving too often to stay focused, then you know how important it is to have a proper table and chair. Poor ergonomics can not only lead to discomfort and physical pain but also to make you less productive in your home workspace.

You are likely to spend a lot of time sitting, so make sure you have a comfortable chair with the necessary back support. Since sitting for too long can make us tired, you should also consider investing in a sit-to-stand desk so you can stand from time to time while you work. Alternatively, you can just get up and walk around during the day to get your blood pumping and help you avoid an extremely sedentary lifestyle. Be sure to set an alarm on your phone so you don’t forget to move.

Go green

Unfortunately, most jobs can’t be conducted on a beautiful beach or near stunning mountain views. However, the simple act of adding a touch of nature to your indoor office space can still offer some benefits. A 2014 study found that employees that are working indoors with plants performed 15% better than workers in plainer surroundings. Different objects such as plants, pictures and other mementoes in the working area are thought to promote greater psychological engagement than ultra-modern and sterile spaces.

Research has also shown that live plants promote healthier indoor air, which has some beneficial effects on cognitive function in the workplace. For example, NASA researchers have found that plants such as Gerbera daisies and Mass Canes removed significant amounts of volatile organic compounds from the air, which come from paint, cleaning materials, plastics and furniture that are commonly found in offices. 

Keep a notebook

This may sound old-fashioned, but research has found that scribbling down notes by hand create better retention. By writing down a list or agenda for each day, you can sort and prioritise crucial activities and tasks so that you enter your workday with more clarity and concentration. 

Therefore, before you start tackling your day-to-day tasks, make sure to set aside 10 minutes to create a detailed checklist. Then spend a few minutes to make an even shorter checklist of tasks that you know will be completed in the next couple of hours. This trick will not only help you remember and plan every task but also breaks your workday down into small, actionable chores. Plus, once you have flagged or crossed out finished goals, those visible accomplishments will boost your productivity!

Consider purchasing CBD products

This all-natural, plant-based supplement can also be a beneficial addition to your workday. With its potential anti-anxiety, calming and pain-relieving effects, CBD oil can offer the needed relief from your ailments and different discomforts, helping to improve your general well-being.

CBD (short for cannabidiol) is one of more than 100 active, chemical compounds that are known to interact with your body via specific receptors of the cell-signalling endocannabinoid system (ECS). This system is involved many processes that occur in an organism, such as sleep, memory, appetite, pain, stress, and others to help achieve homeostasis. Thus, relaxing with CBD oil bath bomb, taking CBD-infused oral tinctures, chewing some CBD gummies or inhaling CBD vape juice through a vaping device can help diminish stress, improve focus and reduce pain – all of which can boost your energy levels and help you perform better during your workday.

Personalise your area

Since your workspace reflects who you are, personalising your space and making it welcoming, calming and pleasant can increase your emotional connection to your work. And your desk should be more than just a blank canvas. In addition to a productivity-boosting plant, consider keeping personal items, photos, inspirational posters – anything that will give any space a unique touch while setting the right environment for productivity and helping you stay on track throughout the workweek.

However, it’s important to not let these personal touches become clutter. Oftentimes, many workers use most of their desks and workspace to store excess office supplies and papers, not to mention those cups half full of lukewarm coffee, which greatly reduces your productivity and full concentration. Your workspace should be open, with enough room for you to feel uninhibited. The last thing you need to think about while working is swimming through extra papers and pens and searching for missing items. If your workplace is messy and cluttered, chances are your brain too.

Adjust light & sound

Nothing gets in the way of productivity like a poorly lit room or distracting noise outside. A quiet space is essential for employees to be creative and productive. It is also very important to fill the workspace with light, both natural and artificial. Adequate natural light and minimal noise will help you feel healthier and your home workplace will be more productive.

Use scents to motivate you

Our sense of smell can also have a profound effect on our mindset, mood and therefore our productivity. So when you start to notice yourself drifting off, consider adding scent to your workspace to help boost your alertness and improve focus.

While there are many aromas that will make your home workspace more productive, make sure to try using these scents to help you stay focused:

• Peppermint – prevents fatigue and improves performance;
• Lemon – Enhances positive mood and cognitive function;
• Pine  – Reduces stress, elevates mood and increases alertness;
• Rosemary – Has a positive effect on memory and increases alertness;
• Cinnamon – Promotes better attention.

To reap these potential benefits you can use incense, candles, add the chosen essential oil in a diffuser or inhale it directly to make your home workspace more productive. You can also simmer spices and herbs in the kitchen to fill your home with a nice, warm aroma.