Many office employees suddenly became remote workers in 2020. What began as working from home for a few weeks has become a permanent working environment for many people.
Depending on your housing situation, your couch might have become your new workspace. Or you might be lucky enough to have your own dedicated office. Or you might be trying to navigate working from home while sharing a space with your partner, roommates, or kids.
Whatever your work-from-home setup looks like, chances are that you haven’t had the chance to put much intentionality into it. Now that working from home is here to stay, these are a few easy changes to make your workdays happier and more productive.
Exposure to natural light
Something that office buildings lack is the opportunity to enjoy daylight. Most offices have fluorescent lighting and limited access to windows or the outdoors.
Lack of natural lighting can cause several health issues, like eye strain, headaches, and fatigue. It can even contribute to conditions like seasonal affective disorder (SAD), particularly during the colder winter months.
Try spending most of your working hours in the area of your home with the biggest windows that bring in the most natural light. If your home isn’t positioned for good sunlight, prioritize taking breaks outside to get some vitamin D.
Another option is to purchase a light therapy lamp. These lamps are designed to simulate daylight and can be helpful during the winter months when daylight hours are shorter.
Working in a quiet area away from distractions
Working around other people and pets in your household in the same place that you eat, sleep, and relax can lead to getting distracted throughout the day.
This can add stress and make it hard to focus. If you have an important meeting or a lot of work to finish, communicate with your partner or roommates that you need the quietest part of your home during that time.
A good pair of headphones and listening to music or a podcast is a great way to tune out distractions and be more efficient.
Limit sedentary time
Sitting for extended periods of time not only affects your focus and productivity – the biggest problem is that it affects your physical health.
According to the Mayo Clinic, being sedentary can increase your risk for increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, and abnormal cholesterol levels. It’s recommended to get up and walk at least every 30 minutes.
It’s beneficial to take breaks from work every 20-30 minutes, so combining this with taking a break from sitting can contribute to your overall wellness.
If you can take a longer break during the day, get outside for a short walk. Even taking a non-video call on your phone while you walk around your neighborhood is an easy way to sneak in some exercise.
Get a change of scenery
Working in the same area with the same people can be monotonous at best, and a mental strain at worst.
A coworking space provides the benefits of an office environment, with the flexibility of working remotely. Most coworking spaces offer ample daylight, complimentary coffee, secure WiFi, and private conference rooms.
A coworking space might be a better alternative to working in a coffee shop or library that might be loud, crowded, or full of other distractions.
Dress for success
Although it’s tempting to stay in your pajamas all day, you might want to consider putting together an outfit for your workday.
Even if it’s just an upgraded loungewear set or a pair of jeans, dressing for success can help set the tone of your workday, make you feel more productive, and increase your confidence during your virtual meetings.
In conclusion
Not being tied to a tired office space gives remote workers the opportunity to increase their overall productivity and wellness. Taking these steps will help to optimize your workspace at home and make your weekdays more enjoyable and effective.
What measures have you taken to improve your remote workspace?
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