Working from home has been a dream for many, and due to the pandemic, it has become a reality for a lot of people. Being able to do one’s job from one’s own space can be an exciting notion, but it is not sure to suit everyone.
As we still have no clear indication on how long the global lockdown will keep up, we could see working from home become the new normal.
After all, people are likely seeing that they can do a lot from their computer. In that case, why waste time being in an office? Some studies indicate that people tend to have increased productivity levels when working from their homes.
This surely does not apply to everyone, as preferences will vary. However, in terms of efficiency, even just cutting one’s commute is bound to be beneficial time-wise.
It must be said that working from home is not necessarily all peaches and daisies as it comes with its own set of specific challenges.
Keeping track of tasks, staying focused and determined from a space where you are used to relaxing can be tough. It requires fostering discipline and being wary of distractions.
Depending on your situation, you might have kids, pets, and other things interfering with your concentration. A dedicated, ergonomic workplace at home can really help to focus one’s energies.
If you have a spare room for your workspace, then that is ideal. If not, then just work with what you got. Creating a comfortable workspace at home is an important step in maximizing your efficiency, and we are here to help you achieve that.
Amongst other things, keep in mind not to overstrain yourself. When no bell rings at the end of your workday, it is easy to keep pushing when rest may be needed.
Walks, naps, and games like the Book of Ra are great ways to give yourself a deserved refresh. Now, here are the six tips that will help you to create an ergonomic workplace at home.
How To Create a Workplace at Home
Keep Your Space Clean
Making a workspace at home cozy and welcoming has a lot to do with keeping things organized. The more stuff you have in your room, the more the cluttered area will impact your mood and motivation.
On the other hand, having only your essentials in the work area helps to make the space feel light and fresh. Those are the feeling you want when you are preparing for a new day filled with pertinent tasks, not a draining atmosphere from the get-go.
The issue is not so much about how to organize your workspace from home precisely, but rather that you simply keep it tidy enough for your own liking. Generally speaking, the simpler and cleaner you keep it, the better.
Create an Ambiance
One of the nice things when creating a workspace at home is that you have full creative freedom. You do not have to cater to anyone else’s opinions and can craft your personal little oasis however you like.
It is important to exercise this freedom and set up an environment that has you feeling good and inspired. Simple things such as cozy lights, plants, and various decorations can be used to elevate the atmosphere of your workspace for home.
A certain mood will have you feeling a certain way, and that naturally translates to your mentality. You want to keep yourself uplifted and cozy. However, making it too cozy can backfire.
After all, you don’t want to be tempted to lounge all day, but rather be productive. Get creative and discover the interior designer in you!
Invest in a Good Chair
For most, it seems that there is no way around having to sit a lot when you work from home. That is not the best thing that you can do for your back, so you need to make that as comfortable as possible.
Investing in a professional chair that encourages good posture can mitigate the negative impact of sitting down for extended periods.
Other than that, you could also get a standing desk to have the option to vary your position. Standing desks are excellent, and they can even put you in a different mental space when working.
It may seem like a far fetch, but doing work while standing can give one a whole new perspective on tasks. However, even with a good chair and a standing desk, you should not forget to do some stretching exercises to get your blood flowing.
Aromatherapy to Boost Concentration
If you have not tried aromatherapy, then this could seem like a strange workplace-at-home idea. However, hear us out. Essential oils are proven to have an impact on your body and mental state.
Why should this be of interest? Well, you can hack your biology to encourage specific mental states. Smells like orange and peppermint are known to help with focus.
There are a lot of essential oils that have a wide variety of effects. You can use them to stimulate your mind, calm down after work, have a good night’s sleep, and loads more.
An essential oil diffuser is a great addition to your creative workspace at home. Trust us on this one, you will love it once you find the specific smells that suit you. Essential oils are like pizza; everybody can find a topping to enjoy!
To-Do Lists
Building your workspace does not only consist of physical additions, but also the right practices and routines. A simple thing like creating a to-do list for the day can have a vastly beneficial effect on organizing your mental space.
Once you have a clear list of tasks that need to be done, it gets a lot easier to stay on top of your game. It may seem like a very simple idea, but if you haven’t tried this, be sure to experiment with it! Such lists can help to increase productivity, as well as boost your feelings of accomplishment.
Once you can tick a task off, it seems like a weight drops from your shoulders. It makes for a great feeling that fuels the momentum of the day!
Make Room for Breaks
Make room for effective work breaks. We mean this literally, as well as figuratively. To stay focused and productive, one has to have efficient brakes.
This meant that you should make time for them, as well as, ideally, have some space for doing some quick exercise routines.
Good brakes should refresh you, as well as be fulfilling and efficient. Exercise, a 20-minute meditation, or taking a walk are all things that truly make a positive impact to gather your strength.
Social media, on the other hand, can be an energy sap. That becomes evident after starting to scroll through your feeds – the time flies, and it seems like it passed in a flash. If you want to have excellent performance, be sure to plan your brakes to be as efficient and qualitative as possible.
Hopefully, this article inspired you to make some beneficial changes to your workspace and your habits. Working at home can be a blast once you develop the necessary mental habits and know how to manage your time well.
Finding the best configuration in terms of the arrangement of furniture and so on can take some time. Do not be afraid to experiment with your set-up whenever you feel like changing it up.
We wish you the best of luck in crafting your ideal, safe workplace at home. If you have any tips yourself, please let us know in the comments below!
