For some of us, working from home is relatively new while for others it’s been a way of life for at least the last year—maybe longer. No matter what your deal is, it can always be better. Which is why I wanted to share with you seven work from home tips that have beyond improved my life.

I love working from home. It’s difficult to see myself trekking into an office five days a week after experiencing this kind of freedom. It’s also hard to imagine working for someone else—but that’s an issue for another time. (I’m the best boss I’ve ever had.)

Here’s a look at my typical work from home schedule.

7: Wake up
7:30: Quick yoga and/or meditation
8: Coffee & start work—edit novel, emails, writing, freelance articles
1: Lunch with a book
2: Back to work
3:30: 1-hour work out—yoga, cardio, or pilates
5: Cook dinner
7: Spanish lesson, watch a show or movie
10: Computer off for the night
10:30: Read in bed
11: Sleep

I’ve never been as productive as I am when working from home. Yes, there are lot’s of distractions around but I hardly ever let them get to me. After all, I’m working for me and I’m the last person I want to let down. Even though my schedule varies day to day depending on what projects I have going on, I manage to make time for self-care, nutritious foods, and plenty of breaks.

Here are seven work from home tips that help me make the most out of my busy routine.

7 Work from Home Tips to Make Your Life So Much Better

Slip into orthopaedic slippers

I know this might make me seem like a grandma, but trust me, orthopaedic slippers are the way to go. At home, most of us aren’t wearing shoes that support our feet properly. Or any shoes at all, for that matter. Walking around on hard surfaces with bare feet isn’t doing our soles any good. Opt for orthopaedic slippers that can help to absorb shock, provide support, and reduce stress on your joints.

Finish your day with a hip-opening yoga class

To combat sitting fatigue and “dead butt syndrome” I do daily yoga classes. Hip-opening practices can be especially helpful if you’re sitting down for the majority of the day. Try to incorporate at least 10, 20, 30 minutes of stretching into your daily routine. Trust me, your body will thank you. Briohny Smyth has a short & sweet hip stretching class that I love on Alo Moves.

Get a standing desk

Do you even realize how bad sitting is? Like, really realize it? It’s so bad that it’s been labeled the new smoking. Gross. (Chain smokers, meet serial sitters.) You don’t have to get an official—AKA super expensive—standing desk, either. I bought a bar table from Structure and a cushioned mat off of Amazon to create my standing work station.

Drink lots of lemon water

Plain tap water works too but to jazz things up a bit, add some lemon or lime slices. Seriously, there is nothing more refreshing that a litre of chilled citrus water. You’ll get your eight daily glasses in no time.

Curate a workflow playlist

You know I’m obsessed with finding the right music for every occasion. Back when parties were still a thing, I used to take responsibility for the music at all of my friend’s fiestas. However, these days I’m mostly curating playlists for my upcoming novel or setting the mood for a productive work from home day. Listen to my WFH Motivation playlist on Tidal, Apple Music, and Spotify.

Schedule regular breaks, just like you would at the office

Even though I’m working from home, I still take regular breaks. It’s so important. The worst thing you can do (besides sitting for endless hours) is overwork yourself and burn out. Didn’t you hear? Hustle culture is cancelled and no one is about to renew their subscription.

Set boundaries for yourself

Just because you’re working from your home office instead of one in a high-rise building, it doesn’t mean that there shouldn’t be boundaries. In my opinion, if you’re working a 9-5 job then you should be working between those hours. If your boss expects a prompt reply at 11 o’clock at night, they obviously don’t respect your time. That being said, there are always exceptions. If you’re launching a new product and emailing from bed is a one-off, of course you should do it.

What are your life-changing work from home tips?

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