Millions of employees transitioned to work-from-home (WFH) setup, as companies transition to remote work and maintain operations. Sitting all-day to do your tasks may take a toll on your health. Working remotely doesn’t have to be difficult and strenuous.
Aside from the stress from the health risks of the pandemic, constantly working from home without going outside can take a toll on your overall well-being. If you think you’re working remotely for the rest of the year, here are some tips to improve your WFH experience.
Tip #1 De-clutter
Before you start any work, it’s best to organise your work desk. Experts say that keeping your desk organised can be good for your mental well-being, avoiding irritation and restlessness. Just like what the adage says, “a clutter-free makes for a clutter-free mind.”
Tip #2 Invest in an ergonomic chair
Since you have to work on your desk for hours, it’s crucial to invest in an ergonomic chair to make you comfortable. It can help you maintain your posture and avoid slumping as you accomplish your day-to-day tasks. Invest in a chair that is designed to support the natural posture of your back and help reduce stress points in your body. Better if you can buy a full-length chair that can cushion your neck and have armrests for further support.
Tip #3 Have a desk suited to your work needs
Your desk setup may differ depending on your industry. For developers, it’s important to have a two-monitor setup with an additional laptop set up if needed for an easier process in software development, so it’s natural to have a desk that can cater to your typical setup. A desk that is too small will make you distracted, while too large a table would be impractical.
While using your dining table as a work table is okay, it’s important to separate your workspace from the eating area to separate your “work” from “eating.” It also prevents food fragments and drops from beverages to stain your work papers or damage your computer.
Tip #4 Don’t stay in one position for a long time
Time flies for remote workers. Whether it’s because of the tasks lined up for the day or the online meetings that sometimes take hours, it is tiring when you’re stuck on one position for too long. Make a conscious effort to take a 10-minute break and take your mind off work for a bit. You may enjoy a snack or stretch for a few minutes.
Tip #5 Stretch and take short walks
Sitting all-day can cause pressure to your joints and back. You need to stretch your legs and walk around the house for a few minutes or just go up and down the stairs. Aside from improving blood circulation, walking refreshes your mind and could inspire new ideas.
Tip #6 Have desk plant or some indoor plants in your rooms
Having an indoor plant like cactus and succulents can help you relax and feel at ease. Indoor plants work wonders for wellbeing, as they promote good air circulation and can stave off harmful viruses in the atmosphere.
Green is also one of the most relaxing colours. Green is restful for the eyes and as it is the opposite end of the spectrum to red which is the most emotional colour. One of the benefits of plants is its ability to absorb harmful UV rays of strong light and can also reduce glare. To avoid straining your eyes looking at your computer screen for a long time, take an instant break and by looking at anything green.
Tip #7 Get good lighting
When it comes to lighting, you might think of having a lamp with white or warm-white colour to warm up your mood. If you’re working at night. Having a quality source of light at night is important so your eyes won’t get damaged staring too much into your computer as the main source of light.
Tip #8 Create a schedule and stick to it
If you’re working remotely for the first time, it might be challenging to set boundaries of personal and work time. Create a schedule and to-do-list you can follow throughout your day. Put rest between long online meetings and set a specific time for eating.
Tip #9 Try to enjoy WFH as this may be a long-term thing
Find ways to enjoy WFH as much as you can. Since the effects of the pandemic will not go away anytime soon, the remote setup for many companies may last at least the end of the year. You may decorate your desk, put motivational quotes or some inspirational pictures, or a mini-roasting corner if you love coffee. Try to enjoy WFH ad be grateful for your everyday life.
Tip #10 Avoid working on your bed
Avoid working on your bed since your brain associates the bed with sleep. The simple of act of getting into bed cues the body that it’s time to wind down. The “mental link” is will be destroyed since your work is brought to bed. It will just stress you further and stress is the last thing you need at times like these.
What other tips would you recommend to improve WFH experience? Let us know in the comments!
