If you work from home, then you know how important it is to make sure that your office space is comfortable in order to boost productivity.
Thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic, more people than ever are working from home and using their bedrooms, kitchens and living rooms as pop-up offices.
There are many benefits to working from home, like reduced travel time, saving on fuel and the comfort of working in your pyjamas, but at some point, you have probably struggled with the multitude of distractions and temptations a home office offers.
One of the best ways to avoid getting distracted and boost productivity is by improving your work environment. The interior experts from the Private Rehab clinic, Delamere have provided five tips for adjusting your home office to create an inspiring space.
Bring in natural daylight
Allowing natural light into the workspace can influence several health aspects such as mood, sleep, vitamin D levels, eye health, and it even heightens productivity levels.
There’s nothing worse than working in a dark and dingy space. Bad lighting can actually strain your eyes, particularly if you’re staring at a computer screen in the dark.
Consider how you can rearrange your home office space to make the most of natural lighting, without positioning it directly on your screen. A well-lit room is important to maintaining a positive mood, productivity and health.
If you feel that your current working space is not allowing enough natural light in, try replacing your dark heavy curtains with a simple white blind. Or move your workspace closer to a window to allow natural light and fresh air in.
A study carried out by Eco Business discovered a strong correlation between working in daylight and productivity. The findings revealed that workplaces with sufficient daylight saw an increase of between 5 and 40% in productivity and sales.
Clear your desk of clutter
Whether you are experiencing symptoms of anxiety or just feeling unmotivated, chances are your messy environment isn’t helping your nerves. Reducing clutter in our lives allows us to tackle stressors head-on, and that benefits our mental health.
Fight off distractions by removing clutter from your desk. If there’s nothing but a computer and essential office supplies within your space, the chances of focusing on work are much higher than if there are things around you that might distract you.
If your desk is multifunctional or used in a room that serves another purpose besides work, a serving tray is handy for removing the items when they are not in use. Jars are also great for storing your office supplies, you can move them to a shelf over the weekend.
Prioritize comfort
Personal comfort at the desk affects productivity, comfort and well-being. We spend a large amount of our time working, so ensuring that you have a suitable working environment is crucial to maximising productivity and efficiency levels.
The main goal is to minimize the physical strain and fatigue associated with poor working posture. By creating a space that is comfortable and designed to meet working needs, you can reap significant benefits. A well set-up work environment will provide us with a tangible way to feel better when working and prevent any aches and pains down the line.
A good desk and chair are extremely important for maintaining good posture. Find a chair with a footrest so that you can rest comfortably without straining your back. Another step is to raise your laptop or computer so it’s in line with your eyebrows, you can do this by safely stacking it on books or a high work surface.
Standing, in moderation can be beneficial to people’s health as it helps to prevent back pain. Of course, the demands for certain jobs mean that people cannot leave their desks, the best solution is to invest in a sit-stand desk.
Inject some colour
Colour plays a huge role in how we react and respond to things surrounding us. It can affect how we feel, how we think, how we interact with one another, and our mental wellbeing. Colour is a subtle yet powerful tool, and it can influence our mood whilst working from home.
Blue can generate a feeling of calmness and serenity. It is often associated with tranquillity, peace and security. Adding blue to your home office can help to manage stress. It is considered a very soothing colour that helps calm the mind, reduce anxiety, slow down heart rate, and lower blood pressure.
If you want to start your day on a high, add yellow to your working space, as it’s known to increase concentration and help with fast decision making during stressful situations.
Add a touch of nature
Plants are scientifically proven to make us feel happy, reduce feelings of anger and stress. Indoor plants are also known to boost productivity and concentration – that’s why they are perfect for the home working environment.
The calming scent of lavender makes it a perfect aromatherapy accompaniment. The fragrance from the plant is believed to promote a sense of calmness and tranquillity, with properties helping to reduce stress, anxiety and possibly even mild pain.
Snake Plants, in addition to adding a beautiful touch of green to your home, can help improve indoor air by absorbing airborne toxic pollutants, such as formaldehyde and toluene that impact your sleep, mood and energy levels.
