The idea of working from home has been popular for quite some time now. However, in the current Covid-19 pandemic scenario, it has become pretty much the norm around the world. It is no longer just an option but has in fact resulted in a necessity for many. While working from the safety of home definitely has its perks, the experience can be uncomfortable if you’re not careful about the design and productivity of your workspace at home. From efficiently setting up furniture and gadgets in the workstation to enabling a good sitting posture while working, it’s crucial for you to get the ergonomics right. Here are a couple of things you need to keep in mind.
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Allocate proper desk and chair for working
If you’ve been using the couch or the bean bag in your living room for working so far, then it’s high time you invest in a good desk and chair to use for working instead. Sitting on couch, bed, etc for long durations of work doesn’t exactly promote a healthy posture.
The desk you choose should have a height that’s in line with your elbows, meaning that your elbows are able to rest on the desk comfortably while you’re writing, typing, or doing any other work. Anything that’s too high or too low could cause a strain on your wrists. If the table’s height is adjustable, all the better!
For your work chair, you want to choose one that offers good support for the low back. Using a cushion can make sitting on the chair for hours more convenient. Your feet should rest completely flat on the ground when you’re sitting, so you should be able to adjust the height of the chair accordingly.
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Keep your work desk neat and organized
Even though you’re working from home, it’s a good habit to be mindful of how clutter-free and tidy you are keeping your desk. When there’s chaos on your work table, you’ll find it that much harder to get your mind to focus. A clean and organized workstation adds more efficiency to the way you work and enables you to get your work mode switched on that much more quickly.
Any stationery, files, documents, electronics, and other items that are relevant to your work should be properly arranged on the desk while removing any extraneous items to avoid creating a jumble. Use the desk drawers, if available, to store things that you don’t need on an everyday basis. When it’s time for you to wind up for the day, ensure to put everything back into its place before leaving the desk.
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Remember to reenergize yourself with timely breaks
During your work hours, your body and mind are likely to get fatigued if you don’t take enough breaks in between to revitalize yourself. You might find that you’ve begun to slouch a bit in your posture or that your mind isn’t able to stay focused 100% on the task at hand. Too much of sitting and working with no breaks will do that to you.
Timely breaks while working are essential in sustaining your productivity. When you feel physical and/or mental exhaustion creeping in, give yourself a few minutes to step out of your workspace. Don’t be just glued to your mobile phones during this time checking up on your social media, your eyes need a break too from all the screen time! For shorter breaks, you can just take a walk around the house or do a little stretching. For longer ones, you can go for a quick, brisk walk outside the house in the fresh air.
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Buy any accessories that make working easier
In addition to the basic essentials, make sure to buy any products or accessories like Head Phones that can make your workspace more convenient. For a laptop, consider buying an external mouse, monitor, and keyboard, for the sake of ergonomically accurate placement of each of these devices. If the screen doesn’t come up to the right height, prop it up with a stand.
Piles of paper flooding all over your desk? A file organizer box or rack can aid in better organization of all your paperwork. For extra comfort and support, you might like having your feet resting on a footrest. Installing a printer and a scanner for home use can also come in pretty handy so that you don’t have to make quick runs outside the house for the same.
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Adjust the positioning of your digital screen
Maintaining a gap of 20 to 40 inches between the digital screen and your eyes is a good idea. As time passes by when you’re busy working, you might start leaning into the screen and forget about maintaining this gap. Remind yourself now and then to sit back to the correct distance.
Make sure the screen brightness isn’t so much that it puts a strain on your eyes. Never work in a poorly lit area; try to make the best use out of natural light, and if that doesn’t suffice bring in apt artificial lighting. Whether you’re working on a desktop computer or a laptop, the screen should be positioned at such a height that its top is in line with the eye level.
