With most businesses choosing to do their operations remotely, employees are also forced to work at the comfort of their homes. For some, this is a good chance to cut transportation costs, save money, and have more time for themselves. Others think it’s bad news about achieving work-life balance, especially people without a healthy home office to get some work done.
Not setting up a specific room for work can make it harder for you to focus on work and stay productive. But besides designing a room for practicality and function, it’s best to create a healthy work environment at your home. It’s fairly easy to ignore our bodily and mental needs when too busy with other things. Find out below how you can create a healthy work-from-home setup.
1. Get better lighting
Most people don’t pay that much attention to the lighting they use in a room. If you’re used to working under a desk lamp, it shouldn’t be too dim or too bright.
Find one with direct exposure over the desk to assist you with sketching, writing, or reading documents. Prioritize having sufficient sunlight by having enough openings or windows in your workspace. Lack of exposure to natural light can potentially lead to lethargy, particularly in cold months.
With enough exposure, you can improve your sleep pattern and mood. Of course, you’ll need artificial lighting for long working nights or unfavorable weather. Choose the best light tones and intensities that suit your preference and needs.
2. Create boundaries
Setting boundaries on where your home office starts and ends is vital for achieving work-life balance. The truth is, this isn’t actually easy to do. If you’re lucky enough to have an entire closed room for your home office, you don’t have to exert great effort. Simple decluttering and organization can save the day. However, if you live in a space with an open floor plan, the work can be more challenging.
Room dividers are the best solution to create barriers. You can use a foldable room divider, a standing bookshelf, or a curtain. If you can designate an extra space, setting up a nook will do. Be creative and use a closet or cupboard for a desk-and-shelf office design. The most important thing is to not do your work all over your home. Limit it to one spot in your house.
3. Setup for movement
A healthy home office is not only designed for sitting all day and night. Movement is important for your body and brain. Sitting for long periods can increase your risk of obesity or cardiovascular-related problems. Invest in a standing or adjustable desk that you can use when doing work while standing up.
There are also treadmill desk conversions and exercise work desks that you can get if you have extra money. Find a height-adjustable work surface that provides freedom of lower-body movement but is still big enough for your gear. These desks are typically more expensive than standard ones, but they are a good investment for your health and wellness.
4. Schedule pest control
Many homeowners tend to focus on house cleaning and forget one crucial task: pest control. Scheduling for tick and pest control services can lower your risk of getting illnesses usually carried by mosquitoes and ticks. Even a simple moth, bug, or fly can harm the health of you and your family.
Pest control is also essential for keeping your kids or pets healthy and safe. Rodents and cockroaches, for instance, carry numerous infectious diseases that can be transferred to your kids or pets through bites. There are also things you can do yourself to make your home pest-free. These include not leaving uncovered food lying around the house, sealing windows and doors, and installing outdoor blinds.
5. Buy a good screen
Laptops are really convenient to use and carry anywhere. However, these low-contrast and small screens are not ideal for permanent work. They can dry your eyes and give you feelings of discomfort and headaches. Invest in a quality screen of at least 22 inches. This can give you a screen with less blue light, lower contrast, and better height for a comfortable sitting position. Avoid placing the screen wherein it reflects daylight as it can cause more strain on your eyes.
If you want to perform your best, you need a home office that supports all aspects of your well-being, from mental to physical. With the tips in this guide, you can create a healthier work-from-home environment that you can use to your advantage. Don’t forget to maintain healthy habits, too, to better safeguard your well-being.