Whether you work from home or just need a place to focus on hobbies, it can be helpful to create a dedicated space for those tasks. Designating an assigned room or corner in your home for working or studying can help you stay focused and get into a more productive routine. These tips can also be adapted to help kids stay focused on their homework during the school year.

Create Boundaries for Your Work or Study Space

If you have the room, your space for working or studying should only be for that task. This will help you create both physical and mental boundaries. Physical boundaries can look like setting up a dedicated room (or corner!) separate from other household responsibilities and hobbies. This can help you stay focused when you sit down to work and will also provide a visual cue to other members of your household that you're trying to stay on task. If you repeatedly work or study in that dedicated space, you can create mental boundaries for yourself, because your brain will begin to associate that room with that specific task. Mental boundaries can also look like remembering to take breaks away from that dedicated space, which can help you stay focused throughout your entire workday.

Curate Your Work or Study Space

If you're not able to dedicate a room as a quiet area for working or studying, experiment with home décor that can act as a physical or visual barrier. Start by experimenting with how your desk and chair are positioned. Large plants, bookshelves, or standing room dividers can create separation between your workspace and the rest of your home.

It's also important that you have enough lighting! Having a well-lit space can decrease eye strain and headaches. Try different lightbulb shades and temperatures to understand which works best for you. Ergonomic furniture can also help you stay focused. On the pricier side, this might look like a special chair that supports your hips and back, or you may want to try a standing desk. On a smaller scale, you could experiment with footrests, wrist support, or seat cushions.

Keep Your Dedicated Space Clean and Organized

This might sound self-explanatory but having a clean and organized workspace can help prevent you from getting distracted. Reserve the last five to 10 minutes of your focus time every day, or 15 to 20 minutes at the end of every work week, to do some tidying. Don't forget to use a disinfectant wipe on your desk surface—especially if you snack at your desk. Consider doing a deep clean on your computer screen and keyboard every six months to keep your tech in its best shape.

Be Mindful of How You Focus Best

If you struggle to stay focused for long periods of time, experiment with changes in your environment to learn what does and doesn't help you stay on task. Start with noise levels. Some people find that low-volume background noise helps them really key in on their task. Other people find that silence works best. If you don't have a room of your own to work in, try investing in quality noise-canceling headphones. If these work for you, set reminders on your phone to charge them regularly.

Next, try experimenting with temperature. Do you overheat easily during meetings? Try keeping a small fan nearby to keep you cool. Listening to your hunger cues can also keep you on task. If your stomach rumbles keep you from staying focused, try stashing snacks nearby. If food is a distraction and a method of procrastination, try setting a timer for however long you want to work and allow yourself to get up and get food at assigned mealtimes. Smells often help your brain remember what it's time to do, too. Try lighting a candle or plugging in an air freshener to help remind your brain that it's time to buckle down.