In the past few weeks, millions of people around the world have switched to working from home for the safety of themselves and their community. While working from home may seem easy at first, it provides its own challenges. We have compiled 5 tips to staying productive and positive while working from home.

Stick to a Schedule
Office life provides a natural schedule. Working from home is a lot more flexible, so it's easy to be overwhelmed or distracted. Create a routine and stick to it. It will help work/life balance as well as boosting your productivity during work hours. 

Create a Dedicated Workspace
Set up where you feel comfortable, but also where you can focus on your work, take a call or a video meeting. At the end of the work day, log off and make sure to leave the workspace to create a mental and physical separation of your work and personal life.

Take Breaks
When you live and work in the same place, it becomes vital to take a mental break by changing your scene. Take a stroll around your block, or take a 15 minute break in your backyard or patio. Getting fresh air will help mitigate feelings of "cabin fever". If you do not have the opportunity to venture outside, a quick round of exercise would get the blood flowing and clear your head. Do 10 jumping jacks, stretch or find an office yoga routine that suits your needs.

Try Not to Multitask
Being at home, you will undoubtedly get distracted with tidying up, cooking, trying to finish up some chores or even having the TV on. Limit your household upkeep and TV watching to 15 minutes breaks throughout the day to prevent distraction. When you think of a household task that needs to be done, write it down on a to-do list. That way, you won't try to do chores during work because you're afraid you'll forget to do it later.

Avoid Isolation
Social distancing can be hard on your mental wellness. Spend some time each day to check in with your coworkers. Opt for a call or video chat over an email to get more "face" time and feel more connected. After work, it's a good idea to reach out to friends and family, even if it's for a few minutes. 

Ultimately, successfully working from home requires you to be comfortable and focused. Remember, change takes time to get used to, so take your time finding a routine that works for you and your company.