After more than a year into this pandemic, perhaps you’ve finally come to the conclusion that it’s time to create a home office. You have been freed from distractions, and your productivity skyrocketed. If you’re like many remote workers, this dynamic may have changed over time. In an article titled Working from home is hard work, the editor of Entrepreneur.com writes, “When the line between work and home blurs, it can get a little fuzzy.” If you want to know how to be efficient when working from home, click here to read more.

Working from home can be challenging than you think. It takes discipline and hard work to keep up when you’re out of the office. You can increase your productivity, but you will need to make some changes to your home office. These tips will help you improve your productivity and develop a better work ethic at home.

Practice Ergonomics

Contrary to what many business owners believe, comfort and productivity go hand in hand. While many office designers believe that a comfortable workspace helps employees be more attentive and focused, the reality is that it tends to distract them. A productive office space requires comfortable and functional furniture. Your health depends on the ergonomics of your workplace. About 90 percent of Americans report back pain, and 50 percent report having back problems each year because of their jobs. Sitting at an uncomfortable desk can lead to pain and illness. This tip can significantly affect your productivity.

Set the Right Temperature

Many people don’t realize that the temperature can have a significant impact on their productivity. It can be difficult to work if the temperature is too high or too low. Researchers at Cornell University studied the productivity of an insurance office. The researchers analyzed the effects of heat, ventilation, and air conditioning on employee performance. They found that workers made more mistakes and their labor costs increased by 10% when the temperature was too cold. Warmer environments led to a 44% decrease in typing errors and a 150% increase in typing performance.

Take Advantage of Natural Light

Northwestern University in Chicago found that employees who work in windowless rooms are less productive than those who work in rooms with windows. Even if you’ve left the corporate world to pursue your goals, chances are you still have some bad habits. “Many people reflexively put [their desks] against the wall in the darkest corner of the room,” Linda Varone, author of The Smarter Home Office, tells Fast Company. In doing so, they’ve inadvertently recreated a corporate cubicle. Your home office reminds you of your workplace, so you’re more likely to get stuck in that rut.