When you’re working from home whether for a big company or a local SEO company Toronto, there might not be many distractions. But when you’re in the office, it can be a different story.

Distractions are unavoidable. Luckily, science shows us that our environment impacts our productivity and what is good for us vs what isn’t. If your environment makes it harder to focus on the task at hand or produce quality work, then you should make changes as soon as possible (or plan ahead for when you have to go back to work). Your work environment affects your productivity in a variety of ways:

Noise and Light

By far the most common distraction in the office is noise. Background conversations, loud music, or clanging machinery are just a few examples of noise that can hamper focus and productivity.

To avoid these distractions, you can use noise-cancelling headphones to listen to music or a podcast, or you can use an app to create a more productive working environment by creating background noise that is similar to the sounds of a coffee shop.

Light is another big factor in productivity. If you work with artificial light, you may be more likely to experience eye strain, which can affect your ability to read and write clearly.

Organizational Tools

Clutter can be distracting and have a negative effect on your mood.

While some messes may be unavoidable, there are ways to tame your desk and keep the clutter to a minimum. If you’re struggling with a chaotic desk, try using a tool. In fact, there are many that you can find online that is designed to help you organize your tasks, manage your time, and keep your desk clean.

Lack of Ergonomic Comfort

Our bodies are incredibly adaptive, which is why even short-term issues can have long-term effects. Small issues, like a bad chair or bad desk setup, can contribute to long-term health problems.

This can cause you to take sick days and be less productive when you’re at work. To prevent issues, you can use ergonomic products that promote good posture, like a lumbar support for your chair or an ergonomic keyboard.