You may have been one of the thousands of employees that were forced to work from home during the coronavirus pandemic. With many companies still encouraging remote employment to reduce the spread of COVID-19, it may be time to invest in a functional home office setup. Here are a few things you should have.
A Dedicated Desk or Table
To be mentally and physically productive, you don’t want to log into your laptop from your couch or propped up in bed on your pillows. This may be fine if you are having a sick day, but getting out of bed each morning and heading to your desk prepares your mind for work. It also helps keep your work organized.
An Ergonomic Chair
Sitting for long periods of time, whether at home or at the office, can do a number on your posture. You can find affordable desk chairs, complete with back support and shock reducing casters to use at your desk or table.
A Light Source
Good lighting is important for avoiding eye strain. Using a desk or table keeps your laptop or computer a healthy distance from your eyes, reducing the glare. However, you may need to support your workspace with overhead lighting, a lamp, or natural light. Locating your working space near a window has been shown to increase productivity, lower stress levels, and regulate the sleep-wake cycle.
A Storage System
Even if a lot of your work is done electronically, you will want a dedicated space to store paperwork. Because you are working from home, you can use your expenses for tax purposes during the next filing season. You will need to save all your receipts. You should also have any important work paperwork organized and stored within easy access.
Working from home can be a challenge in a workspace that isn’t functional. These are just the essentials for your space, but get creative in making it work for you.
