Working from home is a novel experience for most, if not all of us. At home, we're used to relaxing and unwinding after a long day. But suddenly, we are at home 24X7, trying to cook, do our chores, eat healthy, and keep ourselves updated about COVID-19, all while thinking about work

On a personal level, we are all trying to figure things out as they come. It is a lot to handle by oneself and so we, at Araku, have compiled a few pointers that can help you stay productive. Work-life is important to most of us and staying on top of our tasks helps us stay focused, even when in isolation.

Read on to find some tips and ideas on how to boost your productivity and stay efficient without feeling overwhelmed.

Corner office

Having a dedicated space to work is important and therefore, is the first on the list. It helps you concentrate on your tasks without distractions or temptations. But if working at different spaces helps you do your tasks better, go for it. One day you can curl up on the sofa and the next day you can settle next to the dining table. The trick is to do whatever works for you. However, if you know that trying to concentrate anywhere close to the fridge or besides PS4 affects your efficiency, move immediately.

Love freely

The real trick is to indulge. No, really. During WFH, you may not always be rewarded or acknowledged for your finished tasks. This is why you must take matters into your own hands. While stocking your fridge with essentials, don't forget to add a few things to pamper yourself. If drinking good Speciality Araku coffee every morning starts your day on the right note, do it (We feel you. It's the same for us). Or if having a piece of chocolate makes you happy, have it once in a while. Treat yourself a little, you've been working hard during tough times.

Break a bunch

Take mini-breaks every 75 to 90 minutes to keep your head from breaking down. Ideally, we would recommend preparing a snack, calling up a friend, watering your plants or playing with your pets. The aim is to be away from the screens--be it on your phone, laptop or TV.

Taking multiple breaks may sound counterproductive but it is not. While working at an office, we would automatically take breaks for lunch, have random water-cooler chats or socialize while sipping cups of coffee. Breaks help us restart our work. They're helpful as long as you take them in small doses and not to watch a movie (reward yourself with a movie-night instead).

Create boundaries

Log in on time to log off as well. Just because you're home, doesn't mean you should be working every second that you're awake. Establish these boundaries to have a work-life balance.

Ensure to make time for yourself and restore your energy with things you like doing–like reading, baking cookies, sketching, painting, or playing music. WFH can be draining if you're unable to stick to a routine. So make sure to not overwork and close the work-tabs when you need to.

Tune in

Working from home is peaceful but sometimes, it can get a little too quiet. The eerie silence intensifies every little noise, be it the footsteps of the neighbour upstairs or the cat that just outside the door. Depending on the nature of your work, listen to some light, slow music–preferably instrumental. You can check out various music streaming services and their pre-existing playlists to amplify your productivity.

If you’re obsessed with coffee as much as we are, then you’ll probably pair it with every pointer that we gave so far. It is needless to say that brewing coffee feels therapeutic to many. The slow process of pour-over packs in a sweet satisfaction of a well-made cup while the quick yet resolute plunge of the French-press brews a cup full of intense aroma. Coffee refreshes and rejuvenates the mind, so if you love it, just relish it.

We hope you’re taking care of yourself and the people around you. It is a tough time for all of us so let’s try and cope with it the best way we know how to. Also, if you have coworkers who are living alone, make sure to reach out to them and ask how they’re doing, maybe share this article with them, as well?

This is the time to truly connect with everyone you’ve known, even if for a bit of an awkward chat. Who knows...maybe you guys can grab a coffee someday after all this is over and talk about which of the above advice helped you the most.