With devices more capable and internet connections faster than before, working from home is more viable than ever. In fact, it’s the norm in large countries like the United States.
According to OWL Labs’ 2019 State of Remote work report, almost half of American employees surveyed said that they work from home at least once weekly. It’s a perk that most people want, too. Over 99% of the respondents in a similar study by Buffer said that they want to work remotely at least once in their career.
But despite the commute savings and productivity boost you may get while working from home, it can get distracting. This is especially true if you have other people in your home or you’re working in your room. The bed is just too tempting to lie on instead of tending to the task at hand. As such, you’ll need a home office to separate yourself from distractions. Here’s what you need to make sure you stay in the zone.
A Capable Computer
Freezes, hang-ups, and straight-up system shutdowns shave precious minutes or even hours off your day. You need a PC that can take on any task you throw at it, so you can focus on your work instead of scouring the forums looking for a hardware or software fix. But you don’t want to waste your cash on an overpowered computer, either. Here are a few guidelines when selecting a workstation.
- Daily Drivers – If you’re doing mostly word processing and you want multiple browser tabs open for your research, the latest Macbook, Mac Mini, or workstation from brands like HP, Dell, and Lenovo may be for you.
- Heavy Workloads – If your career requires you to edit videos and render 3D animations and models, you may want to get more high-end options like the iMac and Microsoft Surface Pro. And if you really want to maximize your render times, search for customized PC builders to create a computer with a powerful processor, graphics card, and ample memory.
Ergonomic Everything
The National Safety Council says that soreness and pain are two of the most common workplace injuries that resulted in lost workdays in the US. It’s mostly from repetitive motions like typing. You’re going to spend most of your workdays sitting in front of your PC. You might as well make it comfortable and injury-free. Get yourself an adjustable table that you can modify to your ideal height. Find an ergonomic chair that supports your back and neck so you don’t end up with neck and back pain for sitting for hours on end. An ergonomic mouse and keyboard set is also great if you want to minimize your chances of getting injuries like tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome from typing and clicking all day.
Some Stress Relievers
After a long stint of editing, writing, or data cleansing, you need to take a break to prevent yourself from burning out. Simply pulling away from your desk and looking at an indoor plant or the view outside will make you feel more relaxed. Keep your mind off the numbers and deadlines by reading your favorite book or catching up on your Ayushman Yoga astrology. Your mind and body will surely be refreshed and ready to take on the next task.
Working from home is great because you don’t have to wake up extra early to get ready and brave an exhausting commute. However, it’s also possible for your productivity to dip because of distractions like your bed, your TV, or even other people in your house. With a home office equipped with essentials like a fast computer, ergonomic peripherals, and your favorite stress relievers, you’ll always be in the zone to meet your deadlines and exceed your clients’ expectations.
