Science Says This Is How You Can Be More Productive When You Work From Home

Working from home seems super great. You can wear pajamas all day, you don’t have to make awkward small talk with coworkers you don’t like, and you can work on your own schedule. But it can actually be a major challenge due to all the distractions; the kitchen, the family, the TV, the internet.  Thankfully, science has given us a few pointers on creating a productive environment.

Add some quiet music. 15 minutes of music can increase concentration and output. This is not an excuse to blast that new album you’ve been wanting to listen to. Try mellow background music with few or no words.

Studies have shown that people are most productive when the room temperature is between 70 and 73 degrees Fahrenheit. Too warm and you’l just want to fall asleep.  Too cold and you’ll just want to curl up in a blanket.

Have you noticed that certain colors affect your mood? The same goes for productivity. If your home office needs a makeover, consider painting it something other than white or beige. They are the least productive colors and can create a depressive environment. Blue and green are the best colors for increased productivity. Blue is calming and green increases focus.  If you need to be creative, try yellow.

Give yourself breaks. Locking yourself in your office or room for five hours straight is not going to help.  Work productivity increases by 11% when people take regular two-minute breaks. I repeat, two minutes! Watch a funny YouTube video, check up on social media, or organize your desk. However, be careful to not fall into an internet black hole for a few hours.

Different tips work for different people. Try them out and let us know what worked for you.