Since Covid 19 hit, the way we work has changed. These days, working from home has become the new normal.
Suddenly many thousands of office based workers have swopped buildings for breakfast rooms, ready to take on a brand new challenge.
Remote working has lots of perks. After all, coffee on tap, zero commutes, flexible lunchtimes, a relaxed dress code, and off-site supervisors is something plenty of us dream about.
However, despite the positives gained from escaping the office, there are several potential hiccups to watch out for,
The non-traditional home-worker is unlikely to have a fully equipped study or fancy garden shed-office. A corner of the kitchen table or breakfast bar is much more realistic.
That might do for a little while, but working from home shouldn’t mean compromising your health and comfort.
Without the usual health and safety protocols, remote workers must take this particular bull by its horns and create their own healthy space.
Lighting, seating, and workspace are the three key focus points of a healthy home working experience. Here we look at how you can make the most of what you have and identify what you need.
#1: Lighting
Natural light is always the priority, so make the most of yours by placing desks or tables close to windows. If you have French doors, they will work too.
A conservatory, sun, or garden room can also be a great source of natural light, so long as they are not as hot as a greenhouse!
Arrange to have your back to the light if the views or street activities may be tempting distractions. You can always take your break in the garden as a reward for being focused.
If additional light is needed, use angled desk lamps rather than the harsh strip lights many kitchens have.
Avoid eyestrain by investing in an anti-glare screen cover for your computer or laptop and taking regular breaks.
#2: Seating
Good posture and taking care of your back are vital when home working.
Having the correct seating is very important, so forget making do with a breakfast bar stool or a chair from the dining room.
Buying a good quality ergonomic chair is all about investing in yourself and your health.
If you spend several hours a day at work, a chair that you can adjust to suit your height, weight, and body shape is a necessity.
Choosing a model with back, arm, and headrests you can alter to suit your body is crucial for comfort and health promotion.
Ideally, your knees and hips will be around the same level, while your feet can sit comfortably on the floor. If you can’t reach the desk comfortably while sitting straight in the chair use a cushion to support your lower back.
If you need to use a regular kitchen style chair for short periods of home working, all is not lost. Although it’s probably the wrong height, you can give yourself a boost with firm cushions. Borrow some from your garden furniture, or use a firm pillow.
#3: Workspace
Every workspace would include an adjustable desk in an ideal world, so each could be the perfect height.
When working from home your options might be more limited, but there are still several ways to make the most of the workspace you have.
You probably walk to the restroom, kitchen, and water cooler several times a day in an office environment. Then there’s lunch to buy, meetings to attend and all sorts of other opportunities for natural movement.
Working from home can drastically reduce your activity level by changing your routine and lifestyle, so tackle this head-on.
Standing desks can be a good investment, as the act of physically standing up is better for your general health than long periods of sitting down.
Or you could try a desk riser, which adapts a regular desk into a standing desk – the perfect compromise between being on and off your feet.
Pay attention to how your workspace is organized. Whatever you regularly use, like staplers, rulers, pens, and notebooks, should be easy to grab, so invest in a couple of desk caddies. Stretching across desks is an easy way to strain your back.
To avoid neck, arm, and shoulder strain, the top of desktop and laptop computer screens should be slightly below eye level. Don’t be afraid to use specially designed platforms to make screens higher if necessary.
If you need to elevate a laptop it obviously cannot be used as you usually would. An external keyboard used at the appropriate level is a practical compromise in this situation.
Or you could push the boat out further by investing in a keyboard tray. These can be attached to your existing table for a useful temporary or flexible solution. Pair this with a wireless mouse for ultimate comfort.
