LET THE LIGHT IN

Open the blinds, pull the curtains, let the light in and create an atmosphere where your creative ideas can flow. Daylight and artificial light play major roles in our health and wellbeing, greatly affecting both body and mind. Bad or dim lighting, on the other hand, can cause fatigue, headaches and sleepiness. How do you lighten dark rooms or meet a deadline during those extra cold winter nights? Find a spot right by the window or invest in a cute lamp that will help brighten your space, improve your mood and boost your productivity—science says.

KEEP IT CLEAN

Does an organized space really mean an organized mind? Duh. Declutter and see for yourself. Newsweek estimates that the average American loses 6.4 hours every week trying to find lost or misplaced items. That’s like an hour out of your day! Or roughly 14 days out of the year. Do we need to say more? Clutter equals negativity and we don’t need that kind of negativity in our lives. Sure, some might argue that messy desks can be a sign of genius (think Einstein, Twain, Zuckerberg). But we are not these people. We believe in “a place for everything and everything in its place” and we think you should try it, too.

MAKE IT COMFORTABLE

It’s tempting. It’s comfortable. But a bed is not a home office. Step 1: Sit up properly (or stand if you’re one of those standing desk kinds of people) and get to work. Not only will this wake up your body for good but it will eliminate the risk of soft tissue and musculoskeletal injuries, all originating in discomfort. Step 2: Find an optimum computer monitor position—usually directly in front of you—to avoid neck pain caused by extensive screen time sessions. Step 3: Regulate the room temperature—not too hot, not too cold is our stance on the never-ending battle over the best office temperature.

MAKE IT FUN

Decorate your designated workspace. Bring in some fresh flowers or light up a scented candle. Put on some music. If you think vision and mood boards can improve your career or if you simply need a creative outlet, be our guest. Decorate with style and make sure to change things around every once in a while. Pro tip: Get dressed—we mean it! Staying in your pajamas all day won’t help your mood or your productivity. Throw on something comfy yet stylish (forget tight fabrics, buttons, snaps or high heels—you’re at home after all), put your hair up in a messy bun and make yourself some coffee. You’ll thank us later.

EAT. SLEEP. REST. REPEAT.

Get out of bed, go to work, eat, sleep and repeat. A little routine never hurt anyone. Working from home can easily mess your balanced, healthy lifestyle. How to avoid burnout? Design the workflow pattern that’s right for you. Schedule time to respond to emails, make lists, sort papers, organize and plan your daily or weekly activities. Set your boundaries: Establish work hours and let your family members know that work from home is not a group activity. Remember to take breaks to eat, exercise, rest and sleep. Oh, and hydrate.

STAY INSPIRED AND MOTIVATED

How to keep your creative juices flowing? First things first: Avoid distractions. Stop checking your messages for the millionth time and keep your social networking frenzy in check. Stop making excuses, always prioritize and make it happen. Following your passion in life is easier said than done, so every once in a while take a step back and look at the big picture. Remember why you’re doing what you’re doing. Take a deep breath. Bring your focus back to your vision and mission. You got this!