20 Productivity Hacks for Working From Home That Don't Involve Your Screen

Working from home brings benefits and flexibility, but it can also welcome in a wave of new distractions—especially the lure of our ever-present screens. Maybe you’ve felt your energy drain after one too many video calls or lost precious focus scrolling through notifications in the name of “productivity.” The truth is, screens are only one piece of our workday puzzle. There’s a whole world of analog routines, physical spaces, and small, sensory rituals waiting to help us work not just harder, but smarter—and with a deeper sense of well-being.

1. Set Up a Physical Workspace Boundary

Carving out a defined workspace—even if it’s just a corner of your dining room table—can make a huge difference in how your brain shifts gears for work. Your environment is a powerful cue for focus. When you physically step into a dedicated spot each morning, you signal to yourself and those around you that it's time to concentrate. This doesn't require a spare room or fancy desk. A chair facing a different direction, a floor mat, or even a portable tray can all reinforce the mental boundary between “home” and “work.”

2. Switch Rooms Depending on the Task

Changing your physical location for different tasks can refresh your brain and help you stay engaged. For example, you might answer emails at the kitchen table in the morning, then move to a quiet bedroom nook for focused projects in the afternoon. Each room or zone becomes associated with a different type of activity, creating mental “chapters” in your day. This approach taps into the science of environmental context switching, which shows our brains use physical cues to help us get into the right frame of mind for the work at hand.