Creating a Live-Work Sanctuary
As we prepare for Monday morning, amidst the current stay-at-home situation that we are all mandated to obey, you might find yourself wondering how you are going to remain productive while working remotely.
If you currently work from home full time or occasionally your main objective is to minimize distractions while children, pets, and spouses are cooped up inside with you. If you have never worked from home you may be scrambling right now to find a flat, clean surface to place your computer. Either way, I have some suggestions on how to create an energizing and productive working space at home.
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ELIMINATE CLUTTER. The presence of clutter creates anxiety, stress, and distraction. Take 10-15 minutes before you begin any work task to organize the area.
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CREATE ZONES. Typically spaces with lower ceilings foster a greater ability to focus while higher ceilings promote creativity. Keep this in mind when locating a space to work from home. Further, if the space you’d like to work also includes things like a bed or sofa incorporate a curtain or folding screen to stay on task.
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ADOPT A PLANT. There are so many reasons to include a live plant into your space – Plants increase oxygen levels, encourage a healthy atmosphere, improve attentiveness, and they remove toxins from the air.
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STIMULATE OTHER SENSES. While you are working you may want to practice aromatherapy (peppermint oil improves concentration) and play some music to drown out background noise.
If you are interested in taking a little more time to think about the design of your space…
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CHOOSE COLORS AND TEXTURES WISELY. If you Google “what color promotes productivity,” the answer is blue. Pay attention as well to the intensity of the color; the more intense the more stimulating the color. Regarding textures, natural wood furniture is a great neutral accent that will provide warmth and a feeling of being grounded. Speaking of the ground, you may want to add an area rug to amp up the comfort factor.
The best thing you can do in situations where it seems life is out of control, is to…
Take Control of What You Can
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Take responsibility for maintaining and organized and clutter-free home
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Return things to their designated places
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Clean up after ourselves
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Use each part of our space for it’s intended purposes
If we care for and protect our spaces, they will in turn care and and protect us.
