Things You Can Do To Create A Comfortable Zone For Remote Work
It’s essential to create a comfortable zone for remote work, especially if you’re new to working remotely. It doesn’t have to be ornamental, but it needs to be ergonomic and functional with the same types of tools available in the office. You want to make sure your remote workspace appears as professional as possible. So, if you want to create the perfect remote work zone, keep reading.
Find a Dedicated Work Area
Try to find a perfect work area in your home. You need to choose an area everyone near you recognizes as your dedicated workspace. Whether it’s a balcony or an extra room in your home, ensure the space is only associated with work. Aim for a space that is well-lit to avoid eye-straining.
Plan the Layout of Your Remote Space
Once you’ve found a dedicated work area, plan the layout of your new remote workplace based on your needs. Start by taking the measurements of the dedicated space. Then, assess your workflow needs and sketch potential layouts. Keep in mind the following principles when planning your layout – function, flow, and familiarity. With a proper layout, you’re ready to set up your ergonomic remote space.
Set Up an Ergonomic Workspace
The cornerstone of a remote workspace is investing in high-quality furniture, which includes an ergonomic office chair and desk.
A dedicated desk can provide plenty of space and allow you to have external resources and equipment available at your fingertips. The ideal desk should be around 120 centimetres wide and 80 centimetres deep. Make sure the spot you place your desk in the layout gives you freedom of movement.
As for the height, we recommend a sit-stand desk that allows you to adjust the height from about 60 centimetres to 125 centimetres. A sit-stand desk will allow you to switch between sitting and standing when working remotely seamlessly.
An ergonomic chair that suits your posture and is adjustable is important. Generally, an ergonomically designed chair that is good for remote work should have the following basic features.
- Conforms to the shape of your spine
- Provides good lumbar support for your lower back
- The backrest is separate from the seat to enable adjustment in two directions
- Has fully adjustable armrests
Invest in the Latest Technologies
In addition to a dedicated work area and an ergonomic workspace, consider investing in the latest technologies to make your remote space feel more like an office.
Things like a docking station to connect your monitor, keyboard, and mouse. Investing in these things will help enhance your productivity and make working remotely a much better experience. The next vital technology for a remote space is a fast and reliable internet connection. You may need a router or a Wi-Fi extender to boost your signal for a stable connection, especially during conference calls.
You also need the necessary tools for video meetings. Aside from your laptop’s built-in camera, you should consider investing in a quality webcam. This will ensure high-quality videos whenever you are in a virtual meeting. Similarly, you need a quality microphone for your remote setup.
Create a Dual Monitor Setup
Having a dual monitor setup is another excellent way of creating a comfortable zone for remote work. Beyond boosting productivity, a dual monitor configuration can improve your overall remote working experience.
For starters, a dual monitor setup is excellent for Zoom calls. You can dedicate one of your monitors to the Zoom call and the other one to reference notes and materials. Furthermore, you can use dual monitors to compare critical data. Comparing files and projects while working has never been easier than with a dual monitor setup. You can also set up one monitor in landscape mode and the other in portrait mode.
Create a Biophilic Work Environment
Incorporating plants into your remote office space doesn’t just improve aesthetics, it can also help improve your health. A sustainable home environment will reduce environmental impact while boosting creativity and productivity.
You can incorporate a biophilic design into your remote workspace by including indoor plants. Place your plants on floating shelves, ladder shelving units, or freestanding bookcases. In addition to these suggestions, you can get creative with your remote office greenery.
Schedule Meaningful Breaks and Rewards
When working remotely, it’s easy to overwhelm yourself with work and forget to take breaks. But this could negatively impact your focus, mood, and productivity.
Taking breaks while working remotely can help you manage stress, boost your energy levels, and enhance productivity. Breaks are not only crucial for preventing burnout but also for improving mental health. In addition, they’re enjoyable and are more likely to improve your mood.
When you feel you’ve got so much on your plate, you may feel like you don’t have enough time to take breaks. However, according to research, breaks of different kinds are significant for enhancing your well-being and productivity. The following are some of the most important breaks you can take during your remote work day.
Coffee Breaks
These are the most popular types of breaks people usually take at a regular office. You can take a break from your remote office and refresh yourself with a cup of coffee. This is usually easier if you have an automatic coffee machine nearby. Depending on your preference, you can also substitute coffee with any other beverage, like tea.
Movement Breaks
Your body isn’t designed to stay stationary for long periods. So, taking breaks to move around is essential. Even if your remote workspace is small, move from one point of the room to another or make a few laps around the desk.
Relaxing Breaks
What better way to restore your motivation and reduce stress than taking relaxing breaks? It’s one of the best ways to prevent decision fatigue. While at it, go outside and get some fresh air before returning to your remote workstation.
Social Breaks
You don’t have to isolate yourself when working remotely completely. You can reconnect with other people during your social breaks. Relate to others, share experiences, and feel part of a group. Even if you are an introvert, choose someone who doesn’t make you hate your work, and spend some time with them through social media or face-to-face.
Be Mindful of Distractions
When you are working remotely, you may feel more inclined to pick up your smartphone or check your social media platforms. You can avoid such distractions with the help of productivity apps. This way, you can maintain your focus and meet your deadlines as planned.
If you are dealing with noise from your family members or surroundings, you can use noise-cancelling headphones to block the distractions.
Conclusion
Remote work might have started off as a short-term necessity. However, the reality is that remote work is here to stay. So, having a dedicated spot for working remotely is extremely important. We’ve covered all the important things you can do to create a comfortable zone for remote work.