Working remotely has become increasingly popular since 2020. Although many in the workforce still enjoy the ability to work from home, some companies have started to call employees back to the office.

One of the most significant threats to productivity when working from home is distractions. These unnecessary interruptions—from small things like taking a call to more serious things like watching an episode of your favourite series—can drastically reduce work efficiency. Despite this, research shows that remote work leads to an increase in productivity of almost 7%.

Also, due to the attractiveness of working from home, many individuals are looking for hybrid or fully remote jobs. When at home, workers have the freedom to indulge in a few worthwhile—and even productive—distractions between work tasks.

Worthwhile distractions

Before delving into the best distractions, let’s look at why these activities help increase overall productivity. Although each distraction has unique qualities, they all share something in common that helps rejuvenate workers.

This latter quality is the feeling of freedom that taking a quick, relaxing break allows. Recent studies have shown that taking a 10- to 15-minute break every hour or so can drastically improve productivity—as opposed to workers who work continuously on a task for extended periods.

These breaks, which allow workers to clear their minds and recharge before continuing a task, are the perfect opportunities to indulge in some distractions. The productivity trick is being able to limit these distractions to short periods equivalent to a quick break in an office setting.

Catch up on housework

Among the most rewarding distractions is doing necessary housework. From unloading the dishwasher to tidying the family room, doing these tasks in short bursts throughout the day can have the house in tip-top shape by the end of the working day.

There are two additional benefits to doing this: First, by indulging in housework, workers can remove the mental worry that unfinished household chores can create. This allows them to focus more on work rather than worrying about tasks they must complete later.

Second, a cleaner work environment can boost concentration and efficiency. This is because workers are more likely to enjoy their time working in a clean environment and will be able to find any necessary work tools or files more easily.

Spend time with family

Organizations often require workers to return to the office to avoid distractions caused by friends and family. These distractions can appear in various forms, such as phone calls, text messages, or family members demanding attention at home.

However, engaging with friends and family can help remote workers fulfil their need for social interaction during the workday. In an office setting, this is commonly fulfilled through interactions with co-workers or face-to-face client meetings.

Spending a few minutes speaking to friends on the phone or engaging with family members can help reset an employee’s focus and lead to better work output. Additionally, the increased time spent with family members makes workers feel like they have a healthier work-life balance, increasing job satisfaction and inspiring them to work more effectively.

Find forms of digital entertainment

Although this distraction requires a higher level of willpower in creating time limits, engaging in various forms of digital entertainment can be a perfect workday distraction. Allowing yourself to have some digital fun can help reduce stress, which in turn leads to higher levels of inspiration for working.

Social media is one of the most common forms of digital entertainment that workers use while unwinding during a break. They can watch funny videos, catch up with friends and family, or post some thoughts.

iGaming services are another excellent form of digital entertainment. These services give players a chance to win something and are easy to access with any device—allowing the option to use even a phone as a primary deposit option.

Streaming services like Netflix or Amazon Video are also great entertainment options. However, these require strict self-control, and workers should set clear time limits for watching a movie or series. Consider breaking up a show into five- or ten-minute portions, or even just watch a single scene.

Take a nap

Statistics claim that almost one in every five British residents does not get enough sleep at night. For adults under 64 years, an average of between seven to nine hours is recommended to function effectively and feel alert. Unfortunately, many UK residents only get around six and a half hours of sleep per evening—which is below the recommended minimum.

This lack of sleep has a direct impact on a worker’s ability to function and work effectively. Therefore, taking a short power nap during the day can help improve focus and overall well-being. It is recommended that these naps not exceed 20 minutes, with 15 minutes being ideal.

When taking a power nap during a break, it is essential to deter any other distractions. This can be achieved by activating “Do Not Disturb” mode on all devices and ensuring that anyone else at home knows not to interrupt you. After you wake up, you can use your new boost of focus to continue working.

Some other distractions may be worth indulging in while taking a break from work, including the possibility of starting a side hustle or investigating other lucrative remote work opportunities.

The distractions listed above, however, are proven to offer the most remarkable boost to productivity and joy. They also lead to a more positive work-life balance, increasing job satisfaction for employees and quality work outputs for employers.