For some self-employed and employees of digitized companies, it has long been a habit, for some companies, it is a new territory or even unthinkable: Home office. Working from home challenges our flexibility, motivation, and productivity in a new way.

Why you shouldn’t open your laptop in your pajamas or from the couch and what role breaks, exercise, and to-do lists are We’ll tell you these 9 tips for a successful home office. Have you had enough of your four walls and finally want to get out into the world?

Relax!

Are you catching yourself glued to your laptop with your shoulders hunched and your eyes bent forward? Then it is high time for a little break. Get up, circle your shoulders and get a glass of water.

Or maybe even a little yoga session? Take a deep breath, bring your arms up over the sides and embrace the day! Lower your arms and place your hands together in front of your heart. Ah! For a correct sequence of movements, you can have a look at YouTube.

According to a study by the Hans Bockler Foundation, 45% of employees who work from home cannot switch off. Therefore, especially during the lunch break and after a long day at work, a walk in the fresh air, for example, is highly recommended.

It is time for a separation.

To start and finish the work mentally, spatial separation is very helpful. Do you have a study? Optimal!

Do you work at your desk in your living room? Fine, but don’t wander on the couch with the laptop. After all, it should remain a place of relaxation after work.

Your dining table must serve as a workplace? Then divide up the table and sit in a different place for lunch.

This spatial separation of work and leisure helps you to separate both mentally from each other to be productive at work and to be able to switch off from work in other areas of the home.

What’s up for today?

In order not to lose the overview and to focus on the important things, the notorious to-do lists help immensely. Especially in the home office, it is essential not to lose sight of the tasks and not to be distracted.

So bring me pen and paper, because a written to-do list does a lot more Fun to cross out the completed items. Our brain loves the happy hormones that are triggered by these little successes and clear things that have been done directly from the short-term memory to make room for new things!

“Dress to impress!”

Another psychological factor that you can take advantage of in the home office is a change of clothes. Especially if your desk is in your living room or bedroom, a work outfit during the day and sweatpants after work ensures the right mental attitude.

The managing director of EF Germany, Niklas Kukat, has the following for all his employees given along the way: “Dress to impress!” – both the brain and your counterpart in video conferences, such as your colleagues, superiors, or important business partners.

Already so late?

In order not to lose sight of time and to avoid overloading, it can be useful to record the working hours with an app.

The timer Function of the smartphone or even better the kitchen clock (because we should put the mobile phone out of range for better concentration) can help to set time limits for certain tasks to create reasonable time pressure.

In the case of unpleasant to-dos, this also gives us the confidence that this annoying task will soon come to an end. And how about if you reward yourself for a task that was completed in the allotted time frame? E.g. with a short break or a delicious snack – but watch out, read the next point first!

Bon appetit!

Okay, who can identify with the following statement? “I’m sorry for what I said when I was hungry.” To be productive, remember to eat. Make sure to include fruits and vegetables in your daily schedule and use nuts as a snack in between. Because healthy snacks give you energy.

Yes, I know, the chocolate is only a meter away and nobody is watching. But your colleagues will thank you if you promote your concentration with important vitamins.

H2O – here you go!

Drinking plenty of water is also very important for the body and productive work. Boring? Then upgrade it with fresh lemon, mint, berries, or cucumber. It looks really nice in a carafe and you can pour yourself more diligently.

Avoid sugary drinks and carbon dioxide if possible. The recommended amount of water per day can be calculated individually according to bodyweight but is generally around 2.5 liters for an adult.

How about if you drink a glass of water after every to-do is done? Then you are immediately taken care of for the next task.

Work up a sweat!

And not because of the number of tasks to be done, but through a sporty balance to the day at the desk. Of course, this doesn’t just apply to the home office.

A home workout, a jog, or yoga session can help you get your circulation going and prevent pain. Pay special attention to your back and neck area!

Not a big sports fanatic? Jumping rope or dancing to the party playlist is fun and easy to do at home. Turn up the music!

Stay in contact!

Do you miss the coffee break with your favorite colleagues and the exchange in the team? How about a digital lunch appointment? You can eat and chat together at home via video chat.

You can keep in touch with your team in group chats and regular virtual team meetings. You can also share recipes for success in this way and celebrate successes together. And that’s all the more motivating!