Working indoors? It can be tough to focus when the allure of your backyard pool is calling your name! But who says you have to choose one or the other?

We think working poolside—maybe even dipping in your toes—is a great way to boost productivity and get the job done in a way that works for you. Take a look at today’s blog to see five great benefits of switching your surroundings!

It’s an easy path to fresh air

Sometimes, all you need is a little bit of fresh air to clear your mind and gain a helpful shift in perspective. Why walk along the street when there’s a beautiful expanse of color and beauty right in your backyard? Take a walk around the pool, dip your toes in, or maybe have even a ten-minute swim break for a fun, refreshing way to clear your head.

The view can be inspiring

Just want to kick back and relax? Pull a lounge chair by the pool and soak up the sights: moving water, a sparkling-blue pool, the lush landscaping and clear sky that surrounds it. The view alone can put you at ease and inspire you (as greenery has been proven to do).

We all know the view from indoors can be incredibly tempting, so indulge yourself and experience it firsthand!

Swimming can ease physical and mental stress

Are your muscles feeling tight after hours of sitting at a desk? Or are you stumped on a hard-to-solve problem? Taking a quick swim break can help you ease both physical and mental stress, loosening up your joints and giving you a chance to immerse yourself in the water and get your mind off the task at hand—so when you do return to it, you’ll be doing so with fresh eyes.

The water can soothe you—even when you’re not in it

While there are, of course, benefits to jumping right in and swimming around, it’s not the only way to reap the benefits of your backyard pool. Even being around water has been shown to make you feel a little more relaxed, all while improving your mental clarity. The sound of the water moving (especially if you have a fountain, waterfall, etc.) can block out other noises, letting you focus better on what you want to accomplish.

It can boost productivity

Water can also boost your productivity! Inside, you may be losing valuable time (not to mention brain power) to the pursuit of staring out the window, wishing you could jump right in. By putting yourself in or near the pool as you complete a task, you’re eliminating the distraction and better positioning yourself to focus in the more comfortable environment.

This season, try taking your projects to the pool. You never quite know when inspiration will strike!