Back in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic sent almost everyone home and lots of people quickly found ways to do their jobs remotely. Today, many people have discovered they can work from home for good and they are spending some or all their days in their remote work locations.

After you got your home office set up, you might not have thought much more about the best ways to maximize your effectiveness and productivity when you’re not in a traditional workspace.

“After the pandemic, many people wanted to continue to work from home, and they are making it work,” said Sara Heck, an employee communications advisor with Banner Health. “Working from home, for many people, is a relief and a blessing. A lot of people no longer have a two- or three-hour drive to and from work each day. That gives them more time to spend with their families even if they’re working longer hours.

In addition to eliminating commute times, some research has shown that working from home allows for greater productivity and less distraction, as well as a more convenient and quieter work environment, better work satisfaction and a lower attrition rate. Heck shared some tips for staying productive.