Learn tips for a healthier and more productive workspace at home. Don’t sacrifice health or productivity in your career!
Let’s Keep You Healthy And Productive Shall We?
The following is a guest post by Carmen Dexter. Interested in having a guest post on my website? Click here for my guest post submission form.
If you’re one of the millions of Americans working from home, you know the challenges it brings – increased distractions, overworking, and mental health issues, just to name a few. But there are ways to create a healthier and more productive workspace at home, and we’ll show you how.
So whether you’re producing your podcast, recording the audio version of a book, or just WFH FT, it’s important to choose the best space, minimize noise (important for recording and concentrating), add plants and flowers, and clean up your workspace every day.
Choose the Best Space
Location
Whether you work for yourself or a huge corporation, choosing the correct space at home can make the difference between a good day and a bad one. Don’t cram yourself into a corner or closet. Room to spread out lets you stretch or stand as needed.
If space limitations don’t allow this, turn your table into a desk (doing double duty!) and add shelves above for vertical office storage, again, saving space.
Lighting
When it comes to lighting, natural is best. Try to set up your home workspace near a large window. If that’s not an option, warm LED lighting is the way to go.
While cool lights better mimic the outdoors, the blue in them may harm your eyes or throw off sleep patterns. Moderation is key when it comes to using blue lights. A smart table lamp may be your best bet, as it lets you switch between warm and cool lights.
Ergonomics
A workspace that’s designed to provide efficiency and safety prioritizes ergonomics. For example, choose an office chair that supports your spine and has an adjustable height, so your feet can rest flat on the floor.
Sit at a desk or table instead of directly in front of drawers or cabinets. It’s important to be able to stretch out and move your legs and feet around to keep the blood flowing. Try putting a footstool underneath to allow more positions for your legs.
For your arms, consider a computer mouse that fits your hand and a cushioned keyboard. This allows you to rest your forearms comfortably and helps keep your wrists aligned.
Minimize Noise
If you’re lucky, your home office is in a room far from the other living spaces, but you may have roommates, children, or a partner at home while you’re on the job. To minimize noise and distractions, try putting acoustic panels on the walls. They come in many colors and designs to add to the beauty of your space while cutting down outside noise.
Most interior doors are hollow. Builders use them because they’re cheaper but they don’t keep sound out. Consider upgrading to a solid-core wood door. They have a wood frame but are coated in vinyl with a synthetic inner core. It weighs less than solid wood but still keeps out sound. It’s also less likely to fluctuate in size due to heat and humidity.
Hardwood floors are all the rage in home design but they don’t muffle sound. If you don’t have carpet, use throw rugs in rooms above and around your office space. And like the wall panels, you can add them to your interior design.
Add Plants and Flowers
Looking forward to going to work is good for your mental health, even if you’re just going down the hall, wearing pajamas. Adding vegetation and colorful blooms to your workspace helps with that.
Plants clean the air, increasing attention span, productivity, and creativity. Studies show they reduce anxiety and depression when you’re having a difficult day. Flowers and greenery also help minimize noise levels, as well as bring a sweet aroma to your home office.
Clean Up Each Day
You may be worn out at the end of the day but no matter how weary you are, tidy up your home workspace! Dirty spaces can create health problems. Dust and dirt can build up, creating issues for those with asthma or allergies. If you never wipe down your desk and equipment, bacteria and microorganisms may multiply, getting you sick.
If your workspace is in the kitchen, be aware of leaks or dampness. Mold, even if hidden, can spread through the air, causing respiratory problems. This can be a potential problem no matter where your desk is located in your home if you live in a very humid environment.
Home Sweet Home Office
The benefits of a sparkling office space include increased productivity. Clutter creates distractions that can send your mind racing. Organization makes it easier to focus on your tasks. When everything is in its place, your day begins and ends with the feeling of a job well done.
About the Author
Carmen Dexter is a journalist and teacher living in Texas. Her favorite activities include concerts, football games, and, of course, writing! On any given evening, you’ll find Carmen playing with her dogs, Rizzo and Rocky.
