Most of us who are now working from home used to work in an office before the pandemic. We walked out our workstations thinking that we will only be setting up shop in our house for a few weeks. Then weeks turned to months as the number of positive cases and fatalities continued to rise with no hope for a vaccine anytime soon.
That was when it finally dawned on us: we
could be working from home indefinitely.
Six months went by fast. By now we should
have eased into this work-from-home lifestyle, yet somehow we find ourselves still hitting the same road
bumps from six months ago: ability to focus is still an issue, productivity is
ever fluctuating, and our backs are literally breaking from work.
Why
investing in ourselves is important
Our outside should reflect what’s on the
inside. We could wake up and feel energized, motivated to accomplish many tasks,
only to have that energy dissipate as soon as we sit on our uncomfortable chair
and lay our hands on our kitchen table-turned-work desks.
We have to think long term, and so we should
recalibrate the conditions of our working environment to make it conducive for
peak productivity, heightened focus, and healthier lifestyle.
In addition to your staple items like
laptop, high-speed internet, office stationery, keyboard, and mouse, here are
15 work-from-home essentials for your home office:
1. Office chair
Your chair is the most crucial part of your
workspace as it determines your sitting position and level of comfort at work. While
any chair might work, choose an ergonomic office chair that is height adjustable
with a 360-swivel base, adjustable backrest and seat depth, and built-in lumbar
support.
Plug in your phone, laptop, smart home devices,
lamp, speaker and every gadget in one …everything you need in one long
extension block, ideally with USB outlets.
3. Art decor
Spruce up your workspace with some wall décor
items like vases, geometric wire décor, decorative cards, or paintings and
artsy personal effects like frames with photos to add an aesthetic touch and breathe
life into the area.
4. Plants
Plants attract positive energy, improve air
quality, reduce your physical and mental stress, and make your office
environment more pleasant.
This will help keep your desk clutter-free
and organize your stationary items and papers. It also makes it convenient for
you to grab all that you might immediately need in one place.
6. Stand-up adjustable desk
A functional work desk should be fine, if
you want to avoid sitting idle for too long, you can have an adjustable desk
that you can raise so you can stand. It helps reduce risk of weight gain, high
blood sugar levels, heart disease, and back pain.
7. Monitor
An added monitor to your laptop screen can
help you view more tabs simultaneously, switch programs, be more organized, and
increase your productivity.
8. Noise cancelling headphones
Invest in a pair of noise-cancelling
headphones to listen to music and get into the work zone without the disruption
of regular house noises and commotions.
9. Coffee mug warmer
Having a constantly warm coffee on your
desk will keep you from drinking room temperature coffee and repeated visits to
the kitchen counter to make some more.
10. Desk lamp
To compensate for the lack of adequate lighting
from sunlight when we’re working at night, a desk lamp would be a thoughtful addition
to your desk.
11. Cabinet/drawer
It is a space-saving idea and a convenient thing to keep a cabinet or drawer near you where you can grab important files and other miscellaneous items within your reach.
If you want tips on how to set up your own proper home office, click here.