Six apps to reduce distractions when working from home

Executive overview

Working from home doubles distractions — both digital and environmental. A small set of apps can block interruptions, batch low-priority tasks, and keep you out of your inbox until you're ready.

The key move is separating browsing, email, and focus time into distinct modes — never letting them bleed together.

Website and app blocking

• Serene blocks distracting sites and software during set work periods
• Serene also prompts you to name your most important task before starting
• Plays ambient music during focus sessions as an added aid
• Freedom is a similar alternative for website blocking

Mobile focus

• Forest grows a virtual tree while you focus; leaving the app kills it
• The loss-aversion mechanic is surprisingly effective at preventing phone checks
• Set the timer for the specific task duration, not open-ended

Email management

• Superhuman is a closeable email client — no persistent inbox in view
• Natural language commands (e.g. "remind me if no reply in 3 days") reduce manual triage
• Closing email software entirely is more effective than minimising it
• Send from Gmail lets you compose and send one email without opening your inbox
• Useful when a morning task requires sending something but not reading anything

Saving articles for later

• Pocket lets you save articles to read in a dedicated batch session
• Prevents tab rabbit holes triggered by links inside articles
• Install as a browser plugin for one-click saving while browsing