We all know by now the pandemic has changed the way we live, work and play. What we don’t know is what the future will bring, just that we have to be ready to adapt. With offices, gyms, restaurants and more changing the way they operate every day, we have to be prepared for anything. One way we can do that is to make our homes more liveable, since we spend so much more time in them.

Organize and style your home office

If you’re like me and you had to transition from working in an office to working at home, you know the importance of having everything you need to get the job done. One tip to make the area somewhere you actually enjoy spending 8+ hours a day; choose a space in your home that’s quiet and free of distractions. This can be challenging in small spaces like my one-bedroom apartment so I made sure I cannot see the TV or living room which especially helps when my partner is home during the day. Pick an area that gets good light, or at least one window pointed towards you. A functional desk can make or break your productivity so something with good space for your computer, office supply storage as well some of your favourite decor is important. Comfort is key so choose a good chair. Consider the height of your chair and desk, and how your posture will be in front of your computer.  You want your shoulders to be relaxed and avoid tilting your head too far up or down.  Hide the cords and mess, there have been studies done about the link between procrastination and clutter, so get rid of what you don’t need to make your home more live-able.

Achieve a kid-friendly space

If you have kids, then you’ve likely had a dual job of parent and teacher at some point throughout the pandemic. Helping your kids focus while virtually learning can be a struggle but having a schedule can be a lifesaver. Structure is the difference between chaos and control so it’s important to be diligent with how you decide to organize you and your kids time. That said, coming up with new and exciting ways to keep your kids entertained can be a job in itself, try to ease up on screen time limits and don’t expect them to focus at their normal capacity.  Scheduling family and individual time is important for everyone in the household, consider booking quiet time where your kids can read, do a puzzle, take a nap or simply entertain themselves in their room and you can have a moment to yourself.

PAWsitively pet friendly

No one would deny that our pets are family, and spending more time with them is one positive to come out of our extra time at home. If you have been working from home pets can provide a welcomed distraction when you really need a break, and if you haven’t, they have been there to offer support during this unpredictable time. It’s important to remember support goes both ways, don’t change their feeding schedule too much and try to avoid over-feeding. Have a bed near your workspace where they can be comfortable but encourage them to spend some time alone as well, if you eventually go back to the office you don’t want them to develop separation problems.

Set up a home gym

If you’re like me, you relied on the monthly payments at your local gym to motivate you to get through the door, so finding that at home has been a struggle. Find the right space that works for your exercise needs and gear, which could be a simple quiet space with a yoga mat, mirror and Bluetooth speaker or, a full home gym with cardio equipment, TRX straps, resistance bands, weights and more.  Having a good mix of equipment that suits your workout style is important, but don’t feel like you need to buy everything at once.  Try adding a mirror, a nonslip rug and a few free weights and resistance bands that can be stored in a basket. Start with what excites you and build on that as you get stronger or feel the need to change it up. There are several at home workout sources such as Peloton, YMCA, Fit-On and Class Pass apps, that provide classes and group sessions to get you sweating if you are someone who enjoys having someone else create the workout plan for you.  Home gyms are no longer just a dusty old treadmill buried in the basement, they are making appearances on main floors and being styled to suit the rest of the home décor as they are now seen as an asset not a liability.