If you work at home, you know all too well how easily you can sink into the swamp of boredom every now and then. Here are five tips to help you get back on track.

Break it up
Taking breaks not only prevents boredom but also helps maintain productivity. Research shows that people who keep working for more than two hours straight experience a substantial drop in productivity. Taking a break every two hours is also good for your eyesight. Two straight hours of looking at a near object (the monitor or your paperwork) can cause considerable strain to your eyes. Every two hours, stop typing or writing and look at a distant object, for example, a tree outside your house.

It's in the cards
The card games on your computer (solitaire, free cell, and hearts) are there for a reason. They can help take your mind off your work for a few minutes, just long enough that when you go back to work, you feel refreshed. If you've been puzzling over a problem for hours, it often helps to think about something else for a short time before going back to the problem you want to solve. Sometimes, doing something completely unrelated to the task at hand is all you need to give you a bunch of new ideas for tackling old issues.

Take a walk...
...literally. Take a short walk around the house every two hours, or every hour if your workday is especially hectic. This short burst of activity will help relieve any mental tension you may be experiencing as well as the physical strain of sitting in a chair for long periods. This is especially helpful if you live in a place where the air is clean; taking deep breaths of the outside air will make you feel rejuvenated.

Stretch
Cats and dogs stretch several times a day. Stretching is an excellent natural method for relieving boredom and tension and making you feel good about yourself all of a sudden. Every half hour, get out of your chair and treat yourself to a long, slow, luxurious stretch.

Think green
Put a plant or a flower arrangement in your office and look at it every few minutes, especially when you're letting your mind wander. The jolt of fresh color will give your eyes something new to focus on and help your mind recharge.

The key to beating boredom is never giving in to it. Boost your productivity by fighting boredom actively.