Many people have misconceptions about what it means to work from home. It can be all too easy to think that working from home means that you have a dream job; quite the contrary, it presents a series of unique struggles that other people simply cannot understand. With a variety of unique challenges, distractions and stresses that can all work their way into our lives on a daily basis, many people simply cannot empathize with the struggle. Anyone who isn’t a seasoned veteran when it comes to working from home may find themselves cracking under the pressure. Today, we’ll review some tips on how to not lose your sanity if and when you have to work from home.

Use Music to Pass the Time

Concentration when working from home is crucial, but you also need a break from the monotony from time to time. Numerous studies have shown that pinging users and employees with music throughout the day can actually make them more efficient when it comes to completing tasks. Obviously, not all jobs can be done with music blaring in the background, but many creative and mundane tasks alike can be made more tolerable – and more efficient – by merely creating a playlist and enjoying your favorite tunes. It’s also worth noting that the release of dopamine and endorphins in the brain will naturally put you in a better mood…which is often needed during the work-day.

Be Sure to Take Breaks

Traditional work schedules in office, service or other environments regulate breaks very strictly. In most cases, you remain busy and do not have a variety of potential distractions that can claim your attention. When working from home, though, things are different. In order to reduce the likelihood of burn-out, you’ll want to be sure to take the occasional break. These can be structured into the work-day at specific times or they can be taken whenever necessary (but budgeting in a finite number of them). Working from home presents different challenges and struggles, and as such, taking a break when your creative juices have been exhausted will do wonders for you and for your work.

Plan Out Each Day

In order to get the most productivity out of your day while also maintaining a routine, be sure to plan in advance what each bring will bring in the office. When you know what to expect in advance, what work will need to be handled, and so forth, you can rest a bit easier during the off times and be more productive during work hours. Losing your sanity from stress and uncertainty while working from home is more common than many believe; by adhering to a consistent pattern and routine, you can help eliminate some of these potential hazards. Whether you need to join a big conference call this week or you have 4 projects that need to be completed across 4 different days, be sure to plan all of this out via scheduling so that your goals each day are clear.

Whether you’re pinging users within the company with emails or contacting potential customers one-by-one, working from home can be just as stressful – if not more so – than working in a traditional office. By planning out each day, taking breaks and listening to music, you can break down some of the monotony and stress involved with at-home working and be more efficient in the process.