We used to spend every weekday working in our offices. But the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly changed that. Businesses are becoming more open to letting their employees work from home, considering that there is a high demand from the latter to allow it. Many companies are now also looking at hiring their employees remotely, which poses a lot of benefits for them, such as reduced costs and access to global talents.
During the quarantine, you might have gone along well working on your bed, but that’s not very ergonomic. Working in a non-ergonomic position for a long time can cause several problems, such as a decrease in productivity and worse, body pains, strains, and injuries. So if you’re going to start working from home, you need to set up an office. Here’s how.
Dedicate a space for your office
Working at home requires a lot of self-control. You don’t have to rush out of the house in the wee hours of the morning to beat the traffic. Instead, you can simply wake up, turn on your laptops, and proceed to work on your tasks. That increases the tendency of procrastination and feeling unmotivated to work. There are a lot of distractions, too, with the presence of family members, technological devices, and household responsibilities. The
You need to escape from all those things that will disable you from focusing on your work. So find a spot where you can do that. As much as possible, look for an empty room where you can set up your work station. If you don’t have an extra room, you can use your living room, basement, or bedroom too. But make sure you find a spot that’s free from distractions and clutter. Consider putting up long-span shelving so that you can store your office supplies and organize them neatly.
Invest in ergonomic equipment
According to ergonomics, workplace conditions such as temperature, lighting, and the optimization of your equipment can affect your productivity and health. So you want your home office to be as ergonomically fixed as possible. Invest in office chairs with lumbar back support to reduce back pain. Buy tables that are of the right height, so your arms fall naturally while you work on your computer. Make sure your monitor is at eye-level to prevent putting a strain on your neck. All these things will contribute to your productivity and long-term health and wellness.
Consider upgrading your computer
Two things are absolutely crucial when working from home: a trusty computer and a reliable Internet connection. You’ll be doing most of your work on your device and communicating with your colleagues through online platforms. The last thing you want is a device that can’t accommodate your work-from-home needs.
If your laptop or desktop computer is running too slowly or not functioning properly, consider getting a better one. The speed and optimization of your device will also determine your productivity and motivation. So if you plan on working from home in the foreseeable future, you need to think about investing in highly functional computers.
Working from home is indeed ideal for employees, considering that they can save money, reduce stress, and work at their own pace. But it also poses a lot of distractions and difficulties—all of which can be addressed by setting up a proper and ergonomic work station. So take these tips and build your home office to boost your productivity while working from home.
