Shelter-in-place orders are essential to curbing the spread of COVID-19. That said, they have introduced many workers to a particular challenge: working from home.

For many remote workers and freelancers, working from home is just another day in the office. But, for those who are more accustomed to working in an office, trying to set up shop in your living room can prove to be pretty tough.

Are you struggling to adapt to working remotely and aren’t sure what you can do about it? We’re here to help.

Here are five work from home guidelines that are sure to help you stay productive until you return to the office.

1. Get Dressed

When you start working from home, it can be pretty easy to fall into the trap of not getting dressed every morning. After all, no one’s going to see you. Right?

Unfortunately, staying in your jammies all day long can make it very difficult to get into the “office” mindset.

If your working from home, make sure you take the time to get fully dressed before you sit down at your desk for the day. Changing out of your pajamas may not seem like that significant of a step, but it can help you maintain your sanity and productivity.

2. Set Your Hours (and Stick to Them!)

When you work in an office, the line between your work-life and your home-life is pretty clear. But, once you start working from home, that line gets pretty blurred.

If you aren’t careful, your work will start to overtake your “personal time,” and if you never stop working, you run the risk of burning out.

Take some time to set up a definitive schedule, and *stick to it. Set up a timer in your work area to help you keep track of when your workday ends.

While you can try to stick to the same hours you kept when you were going into an office every day, working from home is an entirely different beast. So, if your job allows it, you may want to consider creating a new schedule to better suit your needs.

Read More: How To Ensure You On Top Of Your Work Whilst In Lockdown

3. Don’t Forget to Take Breaks

Taking breaks may seem counterproductive. But, they are essential to maintaining your focus for prolonged periods.

Taking a few breaks during your workday to get up, stretch, or grab a cup of coffee, are essential to staying comfortable, energized, and productive. Try setting a timer to remind you to get up and move every 50 to 90 minutes.

4. Create a Designated Work Space

The first rule of working from home is: Never work where you nap.

It can be tempting to set up camp on the couch every day. But, working in areas that are usually for relaxation can blur the lines between your work-life and home-life.

If you’re having trouble focusing and staying productive, try setting up a designated area to work in every day.

Remote worker environments should be in quiet, private areas, where you won’t have to worry about distractions.

5. Build a Morning Routine

Finally, if you don’t have to worry about planning around a commute or clocking in, you may stop following your regular morning routine.

Sticking to a morning routine can help you kickstart your day and stay energized and productive until quitting time.

Find Success By Following These Work From Home Guidelines

Working from home is harder than it sounds. That said, by following these five work from home guidelines, you’ll be able to set boundaries and get back to being productive.

Are you looking for more advice on how to work from home? We’ve got you covered.

Check out the rest of our blog for more helpful articles, tips, tricks, and advice today!