With remote and hybrid working remaining a popular choice for workers; many of us working from our home offices; and where that isn’t possible, our bedrooms, kitchens and hallways. How you set up your office has a huge impact on productivity and happiness at work - so we’ve found the tech you need to take your work space to the next level.
Working from home; but where, specifically?
A study from 2021 suggests that a huge number of us routinely work from our beds; 38% of workers, in fact. 68% of people are working from the sofa, with 51% at a kitchen counter and 35% from a closet.
Whether we don’t have the office space, or it’s just not meeting our needs, the reality is that many of us are still improvising a workspace when we’re at home. Research suggests that the way we set up our space, and the space that we work in has a huge impact on how we feel about our jobs, our work, and our mental health.
Creating a dedicated space
Wherever you’re working from, having a dedicated space that is comfortable and functional is key. Think about how you feel in the space, the kinds of distractions that you encounter when you’re working and whether anything can be added or changed to make the space you work from feel a little more intentional.
If you’re working from a communal area or space that you use for different things, consider any smaller changes you can make to help the space feel like a place which is just for work. Even a shift in the direction you face, or the position you sit in can help you to create a dedicated workspace.
Take it to the next level with tech
1. Get your screens at eye level
If you use a screen for work, one of the best things that you can do for your physical health and wellbeing is to get those screens at eye level. This drastically reduces the possibility for neck and eye strain. If you have a screen at eye level, there is no need to hunch, tilt your head or stay in an uncomfortable position.
Instead of balancing your laptop on a precarious pile of books, try a laptop stand. You can get these for less than £25, right the way up to over £100 if you’d like something a bit more fancy. You’ll also need a separate keyboard for these so that you can type freely when your laptop is in the correct position.
2. Block out noisy distractions
If you’re not the only one at home, then getting some peace and quiet might be key to productivity. If you don’t feel comfortable wearing a bulky pair of headphones when you’re on video calls, don’t worry; you can get noise cancelling earbuds that are discreet and will still turn off those distracting sounds.
Noise cancelling headphones are an investment; although you can get something that says noise cancelling for £50, it might not provide the quality you need. These Bose headphones might be expensive, but they’ll definitely do the job - and they’re even optimised for voice assistants.
3. Get smart with lighting
Winter might be on its way out, but there are still some early sunsets ahead of us and you might have gotten used to working in the dark. Setting up your workspace by a window means you’ll benefit from natural light whilst the sun is up, but not everyone has that luxury. Smart lighting can be a great way of ensuring that your space is well lit.
You can pick up a Wiz Smart Bulb for £12.98; they come with dynamic lighting settings, are optimised for use with voice assistants and you can even set a schedule for when lights come on, all from the app on your smartphone.
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