Working from your home office is a great way to stay productive without having to leave the house. However, you may notice that you experience physical health problems when you’re not in the office, or that certain elements of your home office add stress to your day.
These tips can help boost the health of your home office while creating a more functional workspace.
4 Tips For Creating A Healthy Home Office
1. Eliminate Disorganization
It’s easy to get in the habit of tossing all your papers and files on your desktop, especially when you get busy. You may have good intentions to clean up and organize the home office at some point, but other tasks tend to take priority.
A disorganized workspace makes it difficult to focus and can cause you to feel more stressed out than usual. You may also struggle to find important documents, which slows down your workflow.
Instead of working in a messy space, take some time to completely organize your office and get rid of stuff you don’t need. As you clear out the clutter, you may experience lower anxiety levels and feel calmer in your working environment.
2. Improve The Ergonomics
While you’re getting rid of old stuff, make sure to toss that office chair you’ve had for years. It’s important to replace the furniture in your home office regularly to make sure you have plenty of ergonomic support. When you’re not properly supported in your desk chair, a place that you may spend eight hours or more per day, you may experience pain or discomfort in your back, shoulders, and neck. Get up and stretch every hour so to keep the blood flowing as well.
3. Clean, Healthy Air
Poor indoor air quality is a problem that impacts homeowners across the nation. The HVAC system in your home helps to maintain a comfortable atmosphere, but it can also re-circulate allergens and contaminants in the air that can make you sick. Regular duct cleaning service can improve the quality of the air you breathe, as can the addition of a ventilation system.
You can connect a whole-home ventilator to your HVAC system to clean up the air, or you can use a single-room unit that cleans the air in your office. Add some greenery as well, since certain types of plants offer natural air purification.
4. Keep It Comfortable
It’s difficult to stay productive if it’s too warm and you start to feel sleepy. Similarly, if you’re shivering in your home office, you may find that it’s not easy to concentrate on your work. Maintain a comfortable temperature by setting the thermostat between 72 and 74 degrees.
You can also add HVAC zoning to maintain better control over certain areas of your home, rather than heating and cooling the entire space. Make sure to keep up with regular HVAC maintenance and any necessary repairs to ensure the system can keep up with your needs.
By making a few small changes in your home office, you can create an atmosphere that encourages productivity while offering support and comfort. Depending on your individual needs, you may want to tweak the shifts to your office, but a well-maintained HVAC system, a comfortable desk chair, and a well-organized space will all go a long way in your quest to achieve greater success from home.