How to Keep Things Interesting When You Work from Home

As many of us transition to a work-from-home environment and get used to a new lifestyle for the foreseeable future, we have to evaluate how to keep things interesting and fun at home to keep us energized and motivated. Sometimes we get bogged down by the monotony of staying in the same place all the time.

The internet is full of memes with people doing fun, creative, or just plain crazy stunts at home to keep themselves entertained. While everyone may have a different approach, there are some really easy ways to ensure you break up the boring parts of your day with some excitement, fun, and creativity. 

Find out which activities work best for you, and try to incorporate a bit of all of them for the best results! Here are our top five recommendations for keeping things interesting when you work from home.

1. At home exercise

Is your gym closed? That’s no excuse to let self-quarantine get you out of your best shape! If you follow any influencers on social media, you’ll see that just about everyone is posting their own take on a home exercise routine to keep you active and in shape at home. 

Even for those of us who aren’t fitness fanatics, even just taking a few minutes out of your workday to do some simple exercises can have a major positive impact on your health! Start your morning with a burst of energy, or save it for that midday slump when you need something to keep your creative juices flowing.

2. Find a great playlist

Music can make or break your motivation and focus. Having a great, constant playlist in the background is a great way to stay “in the zone.”

Fortunately, streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music have developed over the years to curate just about any playlist imaginable. Most of these services offer a free trial, so why not give it a try?

Whether you prefer chill beats without lyrics or need something energetic and upbeat to keep you going, there’s a playlist for you! Best of all, listening to a curated playlist is a great way to hear brand new artists that’ll keep you moving and grooving on and off the clock.

3. Take frequent breaks

Don’t underestimate the power of breaks when it comes to productivity! When you work from home, it’s tempting to simply push through long hours as the line between your personal time and work time becomes more blurred. 

Structuring your break schedule is a great way to maintain a balance of rest and work throughout the day. Websites like Tomato Timer are a great way to set structured breaks throughout the day.

You can get creative with your breaks too! Consider making a new drawing every day. For every short break, add a little bit more to it and see what your creative juices create at the end of every workday. You could be the next undiscovered Picasso or Michaelangelo...or you could just enjoy it for the fun of it. We won’t judge you.

4. Take an online course

Here’s a novel idea: If you’re getting ahead of your work schedule and find yourself with a lot of time on your hands, explore some of the thousands of free courses online! Learn just for fun, or study something that adds to your qualifications. Even learn a new language!

Websites like edX actually offer free courses from well-known universities like Harvard and MIT. You can find many apps for both iOS and Android, like Khan Academy, that offer free access to tons of educational resources, and are expanding their offerings every day.

Challenge yourself not only to do your best work at home, but learn and grow your skillset more than ever before!

5. Alternate sitting and standing

Boredom sometimes comes from a lack of motion. If you’re sitting in the same position for long hours, you’re bound to feel lethargic and drained after a while. That’s why many home office workers are investing in ergonomic home office furniture. 

A standing desk is the most obvious choice for anyone who wants the flexibility to sit and stand throughout the day. Electric motors and memory settings, like the ones found on Autonomous’ SmartDesk 2, allow you to lift and lower your entire workstation with ease—no need for manual adjustments. The minimalist aesthetic fits in with any home decor, and the flexible color and surface options mean you can choose a desk that suits your space perfectly.

When you’re seated, an ergonomic chair like Autonomous’ ErgoChair 2 is a highly adjustable home office chair that conforms to your exact needs and measurements for an optimal seated position. Especially for those working long hours day in and day out, your back will thank you in the long term!

Conclusion

Staying at home all day can feel boring and repetitive. These are some of our favorite ways to shake things up and keep things interesting.

What about you? What are some of your best daily boredom-busters while working from home? Sound off in the comments below!