Gear Up Your Home Office to Aid Productivity
According to a 2021 Gallup poll, 45% of full-time workers in the United States are working from home either all or part of the time. If you fall into this category, you’ve probably realized just how challenging it can be to stay motivated and focused while working from home. Fortunately, there are some simple upgrades you can make to your home office to boost your focus and productivity.
A Supportive Office Chair
It’s hard to focus on your work when you’re uncomfortable. Old or poorly designed office chairs can contribute to distracting neck and back pain. Upgrading to a supportive, comfortable office chair with an ergonomic design can make all the difference. Specifically, look for one with plenty of adjustable settings that will allow you to achieve customized comfort. Or, ditch the office chair altogether and invest in a standing desk!
An Ergonomic Keyboard
People often overlook the importance of economics on a computer keyboard. If you spend a lot of time typing, the wrong keyboard and improper form can contribute to carpal tunnel syndrome and other issues. And of course, this can affect your work performance.
Ready to upgrade your keyboard? Look for one with an ergonomic design that will support your wrists and encourage correct form as you type. Meanwhile, it’s important to take regular breaks from typing, so schedule some into your day.
White Noise or Noise-Canceling Headphones
Noisy pets, rambunctious kids, and other everyday sounds can quickly become distracting when you’re trying to work from home. One simple way to drown out distractions and improve your focus is to invest in a great white noise machine or a pair of noise-canceling headphones.
Not only can white noise improve focus, but its use has also been found to boost creativity and reduce stress. Even better? You don’t necessarily have to spend money on a white noise machine to capitalize on its benefits. There are plenty of free white noise apps and even white noise recordings on YouTube that you can access for free.
The Right Lighting
Proper lighting can make all the difference in your productivity from a home office. Natural light, for example, can give you a much-needed energy boost. If you have a window in your home office, invest in a great set of blinds or shades so that you can adjust the amount of light coming into your workspace with ease.
Meanwhile, task lighting in the form of a desk lamp can support such tasks as reading, viewing photos, and the like. Just be careful to set up your task lighting in a way that prevents shadows, as these can become distracting—especially when you’re trying to write.
Boost Your Productivity Today
Working from a home office can be a blessing in many ways, but the work-from-home life does require a little extra focus to stay productive. With these tips and home office upgrades, you’ll be on your way to maximizing productivity and staying motivated all day long.
