The vast majority of office workers have been working from home a lot more over the last year, and for many, it is hard to concentrate. If you want to know how to stay focused while working from home, follow these tips.

Get Dressed

It is tempting when working from home to assume that your office wardrobe can be relegated to the back of the closet. However, sitting in your pajamas all day will likely not lead to a productive workday. The temptation will be to crawl back to bed and waste time.

To avoid this, get dressed properly each morning. If your usual office attire is a full suit, you probably will not want to be quite so formal, so you can take it down a notch. Just make sure to wear something that is smart enough for an impromptu video conference. That way, you will be ready for any virtual meetings (avoiding a quick change as the call begins!), and you will also improve your productivity by convincing your body that it is in work mode.

Sit up Straight

Once you are dressed appropriately for work, do not waste the day by slouching in bed or on the couch all day: you will not get anything done. Make sure you sit up at a desk or table, ideally on an ergonomic desk chair. This will prevent back problems in the long run and will also help you to stay focused in the short term. Good posture has been associated with better focus and better memory, so your whole workday will be more productive.

Structure Your Day

When you go into an office for work, your day will likely have some structure to it. Perhaps you would usually have a coffee break at 11 before heading to a meeting at 12. If this is the case, your brain will be wired to work according to the schedule it has set. 

So, why not set yourself a schedule for homeworking too? Block out time in your calendar to do certain tasks, and arrange video calls with colleagues to break up the day a little. It could make a world of difference.

Take Regular Breaks

When setting your schedule, it is a good idea to set aside time for regular breaks. When working in an office, you would most probably take time for a coffee break in the morning and one in the afternoon, so do the same at home. Make sure you stand up and stretch your legs at least every hour, even if just to refill a glass of water.

You could also work in bigger breaks to give yourself time to refresh. Try playing an online game like bingo to get some space from your work. Visit bingositesreviewer.com for a list of the best bingo sites and make your break from work more fun.

Minimize Distraction

If you are easily distracted, make sure you work in a room with as few distractions as possible. Do not work near the TV, as you will want to switch it on. Put your phone in another room to avoid the temptation of social media and work in a room by yourself if you are often distracted by homeworking family members. Avoiding distraction is key to a productive day.

Working from home is not easy for everyone, but with these five tips, you can stay focused on meeting your goals and getting work done.