Tips for Making Working from Home More Enjoyable

Whether you've chosen to work from home or it's been mandated, doing so may be new territory for you. You're bound to be challenged as the structures an office environment may have provided you with no longer exist. But working from home might just become addicting. You can make it an enjoyable experience.

Gone is the commute, the office politics, and the multiple interruptions you may have previously faced. Instead, while working from home, you get to call the shots and stay productive from what might be the coziest office space there is. Who says productivity, fun, and comfort don't mix?

Below you'll find a list of unconventional guidelines you might not have thought of incorporating into your work-from-home day. Read the list and decide if working like this sounds heavenly or not:

• Do set yourself up in the best place in the house since you'll be spending several hours a day there. That is, why work in a dark corner when a more enjoyable spot may work better for you?

• Do try working in your PJs. Working in PJs is one of the great benefits of working from home. There's no need to shower and comb your hair unless you plan to do video conferencing.

• Do try getting dressed in work clothes from time to time. Some individuals find they are more productive when dressed in workplace attire.

• Do go outdoors and take a breath of fresh morning air. There's nothing better to get your motivation going than to stand in the outdoors for a few minutes or to catch some sun rays.

• Do feed the birds if you live in a place with a yard and have a nice window to look through. A routine like this will make a great start to your day, and it will be fun to watch the birds and squirrels as you work.

• Do go for a quick walk. A quick walk up and down your street or around your backyard first thing in the morning will help you feel connected to the world while loosening your joints.

• Do get yourself a great coffee maker or tea kettle and the accessories to go with such. Being able to brew your own coffee or tea at will is one of the perks of working from home.

• Do stock up on protein bars and other healthy snacks for quick breakfasts so you can get to down to working right away. Set a boundary so you don't overeat.

• Do check your email and social media accounts with your first cup of coffee or tea since staying social will be important to your well-being. When your first beverage is finished, start your paid work.

• Do let your pets join you. Sharing your workspace with pets is one of the perks of working from home.

• Do get up and stretch now and then. Sitting at a desk all day is a posture killer and a recipe for developing muscle stiffness.

• Do set a time block where you will focus and apply yourself to your paid work. Say no to household distractions during this timeframe.

• Do hydrate. Keep water at your desk to sip as you work. Hydration will keep you from feeling tired.

• Do stock your fridge in your downtime so you'll have what you need to make simple healthy lunches. Set a lunchtime and take a break.

• Do pop a great dinner into the oven or slow cooker to enjoy after work. Being able to prepare dinner before quitting time is a perk of working from home.

• Do set a time for getting out of the house because it will re-motivate you. Go for a walk, walk the dog, workout at the gym, or meet a friend or workmate for coffee.

• Do set a quitting time. Quit at dinnertime for the night or take a longer dinner break and do more work later in the evening--whatever works for you.

Times are changing as more and more individuals are working from home. Try these tips, and then add in your own to suit your living situation and personality. Make the work-from-home experience enjoyable and fun and you'll stay motivated and productive.