When you’re working from home, one of the most important things is being able to schedule your day so you can get the most out of it. Just because you have the ability to work 24 hours a day doesn’t mean it’s the most efficient way of doing things, and you’ve got to find the schedule that works best for you.
Breaking up your day into manageable chunks is one of the ways you can boost your efficiency, as well as giving your brain time to relax. If you’re stuck at home in isolation, then your options for those breaks might be a bit more limited, but there is still plenty you can do.
Taking a few minutes away from the desk allows you to come back refreshed and ready for another period of focused work.
Here are eight ways you can break up your work from home day without leaving the house.
1. Home Exercise
Exercise is a great way to refresh the mind and body, and there are lots you can do without leaving the house. You don’t need fancy equipment to get a good workout in, and you can fit it into a nice short break.
Find some home workouts you can do and allow yourself to take your mind off work for 20 minutes or so. Not only will this help your work, but it’s also going to help you get into good shape!
When you feel that 3 o’clock tiredness coming on, then why not take a break to do a little exercise and get the blood pumping around your body?
You’ll come back to the desk reinvigorated and ready to smash out some work.
2. Household Chores
Now, this might not seem like the most exciting suggestion in the world, but doing some simple household chores can be a great way of taking a break. Spending 15-minutes washing the dishes, unloading the dishwasher, or tidying the living room is a good way of taking your mind off work while still doing something productive.
Our attention spans aren’t as long as we often think, and giving ourselves a break from work means we can come back with a refreshed level of focus. You can sit at your computer for 8 hours straight, but if you can get more work done from 5 hours at the computer, what is the point?
Your focus should be on finding the schedule that maximises your output, and simple distractions like cleaning the kitchen can help you with this.
3. Cooking
Making sure you’re eating regularly and fuelling your brain and body is vitally important, so why not spend one of your breaks prepping a nice meal?
One of the perks of working from home is that you’ve got your kitchen right next door, so make the most of it! When you first start working from home, it can feel like you’re cheating your work by taking time out to do things like cooking, but the idea is that it allows you to work more efficiently when you are at your computer.
Cooking has the benefit of making sure you’re well fed and ready to go, while also giving you some time to regroup your thoughts.
4. Play Your Favourite Game
Just because you’re at work doesn’t mean it has to be a fun free zone. If you’ve got a favourite game that helps you relax, then play it on your break – just be sure you don’t get too addicted and let it take time out of your work.
Earn those free spins, catapult those birds, and shoot those bubbles – whatever it takes to break up your day and get you ready for another intense burst of work.
5. Read a Book
Expand your horizons by reading a book on your break! You might spend a lot of time reading for your work, but when you do it for personal pleasure, it’s completely different.
It might be simple, but reading a book is a great way of distracting yourself and getting away from work for a short time. Reading allows you to transport to a different world and do something completely for yourself.
The added bonus is you can learn new skills and develop yourself at the same time.
6. Take a Nap
This is another one where you feel a bit guilty for doing it on a workday, but there’s no reason to.
If a nap helps you to recharge and get the most out of your day, then take one. The only rules that should apply are the ones that help you be as efficient as you possibly can, and if a nap fits into this, then do it.
For some people, this works, and for others, they wake up and feel horrible, so it’s really a personal thing. Give it a go and if it works for you, then incorporate it into your schedule.
7. Do Some Personal Writing
Again, you might have to do writing for work, but when you do it for yourself, it’s very different. Writing things like journals, or doing creative writing is an excellent way of getting away from work and organizing your thoughts.
The great thing is it’s so easy to do, you just need a piece of paper and a pen, and you can write whatever you want. It won’t be for everyone, but it’s worth giving a go as a nice way to break up your day.
8. Yoga
If you’re after the ultimate relaxation, then look no further than yoga. It’s great for allowing you to completely switch off while connecting with your body.
It’s good for your fitness and can help you replenish your energy, ready to get back to work.
You can’t always be 100% “on” at work, and you need to find ways of getting the most out of yourself. Simple things like yoga are activities you can do at home, and you can find lots of courses online to help you out.