Remote work is now the go-to option of many employees and business owners alike. They like the idea of staying in the comforts of their own home and still be able to pay the bills. This means no more commuting to get to the office and more spare time for you and your family.
But then, remote work is not all unicorns and rainbows. There are times when you will feel unproductive, and your sanity can be put to the test. What better way to keep yourself sane and productive than with a few home office upgrades?
Creating a Designated Workspace
The first thing you need is to choose your own designated workspace. Not all people can be productive while working on their kitchen countertop, inside their bedroom, or in their makeshift office in the living room. As much as possible, aim for your own space where you can work in private.
If you have your own home, you can consider hiring builders for a sunroom. A home office might not be the first thing that comes to mind when building a sunroom. But in reality, this could be the perfect place for your home office.
A sunroom makes use of abundant daylight, which is known to boost one’s productivity levels. The fact that you can see your beautiful yard from your new sunroom-slash-home office makes you feel closer to nature. This helps give your mood and health a boost which is crucial while working from home.
You don’t even need to keep your lights open during the day. Since your sunroom is already well-lit, you can start enjoying more energy savings. This is already a win-win situation if your goal is to boost your health and productivity at the same time.
Invest in a Standing Desk
Many employees spend most of their time working behind their computers. This makes them susceptible to slouching, back pain, and shoulder pains. What better way to improve your office than by getting yourself a standing desk?
Sitting all day can have detrimental effects on your health. This weakens your legs, increases your risk for cancer, and can lead to cardiovascular disease. This can also make you more susceptible to weight gain and depression.
Standing desks can be adjusted to numerous heights. This means you can use your desk while sitting and change positions so you can be more on your feet. You can even invest in a stationary bike to keep your legs moving while you work.
Standing desks can help you ensure a better posture while working. This is since it can accommodate you no matter your height or reach. Since this also helps reduce your chances of back and shoulder pain, you can boost your productivity.
Consider Adding Plants to Your Home Office
Many people think plants are just for decorative purposes. In reality, you can consider adding plants in your home office as a productivity trick. This is supported by a new study conducted at Washington State University.
The study claims that having plants inside the room can boost productivity up to 12%. They divided the volunteer into two rooms; one room with plants and one without. Up to 10% of people working inside the room with plants became more attentive.
How you choose your indoor plants will depend on your knowledge of taking care of plants, the amount of available sunlight inside the office, and the amount of space in your office. Make sure you go for plants for beginners if you are not familiar with taking care of plants. Leverage vertical space if you have a small home office and determine how much sunlight reaches your home office when choosing local plants.
Give It Your Personal Touch
Personalize your home office according to your own taste. Maintain balance by giving your home office space a bit of character. This will make it feel like you own the room and is an area for your work.
Think of things that motivate you and find ways to incorporate this in your home office design. This can be wall art featuring your beloved family or your favorite go-to destinations. It helps to add a few pieces that translate to your dreams and aspirations.
Don’t forget about investing in things that support your version of comfort. If you are not a fan of a cold room, consider investing in a ceiling fan instead. This helps keep you cool while giving you more energy savings in the process.
Sometimes, the best way for remote workers to maintain their sanity and productivity is through a series of home office upgrades. You don’t necessarily need to go overboard and blow your budget. What matters is that you invest in the right upgrades that will best suit your home office needs.
