Nobody could deny that the last 2 years have been a major test for people, for many different reasons. With the ongoing Covid-19 situation, we have all got to know our homes much better than we may have before. Between lockdowns and other restrictions, working from home, and for many unlucky people, the need to self-isolate due to exposures or even infections, we have been seeing a lot more of our homes lately.
When it comes to working from home, this has been seen as a challenge for many. While a lot of people have cited increases in productivity while working from home, others have found it difficult to bring their work into their homes. We spoke to TechQuarters, who provided small business IT support London SMBs relied on at the beginning of Covid when they were setting up their home working solutions. They themselves have gone fully remote with no intention of acquiring a new office space, and so they have invested a lot of time and support into making sure their employees are comfortable with their home working setups.
So, what is there to say about making home working easier? There are a number of practices and solutions that you can do to make it work for you.
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Take regular breaks
For some reason, many people had this idea that people would be less likely to stay at their desks when working from home, without acknowledging that people would regularly leave their desks for many different reasons when everyone was still working in offices. In fact, it has been discovered that people who work from home tend to leave their desks less throughout the day. The unfortunate thing is that this does not equate to getting more work done. In fact, staying at your desk can negatively affect your work, your mood, and even your health.
Taking regular breaks is a very important part of working – especially working from home. People aren’t really meant to be sitting down for 8 hours a day, so taking a short break every hour to walk around your house, stretch and be active is a good idea.
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Consider a Standing Desk
As mentioned in the last point, people aren’t actually designed to sit down for such long amounts of time every day. It quickly adds up, and many people begin to notice their fitness and health are affected when they start working in an office. People’s posture can sometimes get affected, or else they simply don’t get as much exercise. This is why more and more people these days are choosing to use standing desks, instead of regular desks. Click here for standing desk for back pain.
A standing desk is simply one that is high enough for you to work at your computer while standing up. Standing is a human’s default position, and it is probably the healthiest position because your posture is aligned and your muscles are engaged while standing. It could make you feel a lot better while working.
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Light your workspace well
Most people who work in an office, or who use their phones a lot, have probably been told about the risks of blue light – light from electronic screens imitates sunlight and can have negative effects on your sleep and energy levels. However, just as many people are often guilty of not having enough light in their workspace. Light has a lot of very positive effects on people. To start with, having the appropriate amount of lighting in your workspace will look after your eyesight, and lower the risk of eye strain. What is more, good lighting actually has the power to make you happier and more alert, which is great for both your personal life and your work.
So, how can you get more light into your workday? Overhead lighting is the easiest to deal with, but some people prefer desk lamps or floor lamps for shedding light directly onto your workspace. LED lightbulbs are the most energy-efficient, and they come in dimmable varieties, which is good for adjusting the light to your preference throughout the day. What is more, some LED lightbulbs even offer variable color temperatures; for instance, warmer yellow light is more relaxing, and cooler blue light is better for alertness – changing the color temperature throughout the day to your preference could also help you at work.
Of course, nothing can replace natural sunlight – the best type of light. If you can arrange your workspace to get the most out of the natural daylight, this is the best solution. You should also try and get outside during your regular breaks, to get more sunlight.
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Create a green workspace
It is proven that being in close proximity to nature is directly linked to your mood and mental wellbeing. People who leave around a lot of green space generally have more energy and have more stable moods. You can take advantage of this by including greenery in your office. If you have a window near your workspace, try filling it with house plants. Perhaps you can get a light that is good for your plants. Adding even a few plants around your workspace can help manage your stress levels and improve your concentration.
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