Work from home is here to stay. For many of us, it has been over a year since we started working in a home setup. While this protected us from getting infected and gave us our comfort, the downside is that many people struggled with mental and emotional breakdowns. A study by the University of California found that “Working from home increased work expectation and distractions, reduced communication with the co-workers, ultimately affecting productivity.” Furthermore, those who keep high expectations from themselves often feel frustrated by all the distractions that remote work brings.

Here are five tips for staying sane while WFH:

1) Set a Plan

It is easy to drift when you are working from home without external reminders. A plan will simply help you stay focused. Some workers use a formal schedule or just a simple checklist. But in the beginning, it is necessary to spend a few minutes every day reflecting on your tasks and when you want to complete them. Organization paves the way through the chaos, ultimately helping you to be productive.

2) Be flexible with your expectations

The experience of working from home during a pandemic was very different from what you expect under normal circumstances. You might have to deal with children or other adults, which would be an added distraction while working. In any case, don’t expect to be a model work of productivity while working from home. Have acceptance that people will be talking in the background or occasionally hear a baby cry. Remember you are not alone in this, and similar circumstances are faced by many alike.

3) Set Up a Workspace

Look for spaces in the house that are quiet and convenient, when you do not have a home office. If possible avoid those areas of your house that are close to traffic flow. A well-lit workspace, adequate back support, and an appropriate screen setup will make sitting for long periods more comfortable.

4) Set Boundaries

When working from home, you need to learn how to establish boundaries. Without the time signals, we would feel tempted to continue working. Therefore, it is very important that we set office hours and try to stick to them as much as possible. You mustn’t do overtime just because you work from home.