The phenomenon that sees people work variable hours or undertake some or all of their weekly work schedule from home is one that's been on the rise for some time. Uptake of the concept had risen by a grand 91% in the decade to 2019 and many people can claim the lifestyle benefits of ditching the 9-5. But, whether you are used to working in an office, a warehouse, or on the shop floor, one of the things that newcomers to remote working comment on is the number of distractions they have at home.

In the traditional workplace, you will have the knowledge that somebody – be it a company director, a line manager or any other colleague for that matter – will be watching you, monitoring your productivity and ensuring you aren’t spending too much time chatting to your friends at the water cooler.

 

Of course, when you’re at home it is unlikely that you have anyone to watch over you (apart from your pet dog, cat or goldfish that is), and so it can take excellent powers of autonomy and diligence to keep your productivity high without being distracted by all of your home comforts.

 

What is interesting is that both scientists and psychologists have come up with research that suggests a little procrastination here and there is actually good for you, and can actually make you more productive and focused on the task in hand - as suggested by Eric Mack at Inc.com.

 

To celebrate such a notion, here are some ways you can procrastinate while working at home and enhance your productivity at the same time.

 

Daydream Believer

 

When you are chained to your desk, it’s almost inevitable that at some point during the day you will find yourself daydreaming. It doesn’t even have to be anything grand – it could just be about what you plan to eat for dinner that evening, but most of us will lose concentration in such a way numerous times per day.

 

The good news is that having a little mental downtime is no bad thing – indeed, some business thinkers actively encourage daydreaming as it can increase subsequent concentration levels and boost creativity.

So go on… give in and let your mind wander. It could make you a better worker in the long run.

 

Video Star

 

One of the main issues with working from home is the knowledge that, in your property, you have things that are eminently more fun to do than the task in hand. For many, this will include video games, because let’s face it trying to populate a spreadsheet is even harder to do when you have a shiny PS4 or Xbox waiting for you.

 

In this case, the general advice is to scratch the itch: have a quick blast of your favorite game, so that you can mentally tick the box. Getting it out of your system will help you to have a clearer, work-orientated mind. If playing a console game feels slightly ridiculous when you should be working, there are plenty of browser games you can enjoy so that you don’t even need to leave your desk.

 

The games offered by online casinos are some of the most popular available on the internet, and many providers – including those listed at sites like Casinomarket.com and other similar platforms – will offer welcome bonuses and free spins to help you get started. These are a fun way to pass a few minutes while your brain is having a rest.

 

Getting Physical

 

Alexa Pipia, writing for BusinessInsider.com, has claimed that exercising in her lunch hour left her ‘bursting with energy’ ahead of her afternoon of work, and the release of endorphins from working out is also likely to help to negate the possibility of the dreaded 3pm lull.