If you focus on being happy in your office space, then you’ll accomplish more.
And that’s always a good thing, right?
Many things can squelch productivity. You may get interrupted by noise or not feel comfortable in your environment.
If you figure out how to correct some of these issues, happiness and contentment will follow.
Check out some of our favorite tips on how to be healthy, happier and more productive in your home office!
1. Invest in an Ergonomic Desk Chair
Did you know that around 80% of the population will experience back pain during some point in their lives?
If you’ve ever had back pain, then you understand how it can affect work. If the pain is bad enough, you may not be able to work at all.
Thankfully, there’s an easy way to reduce the pressure on your spinal cord:
Ergonomic desk chairs.
An ergonomic chair can help you maintain better posture. It also eliminates pressure on your nerves, which reduces pain.
When shopping for an ergonomic chair, look for one with an adjustable system. It should also have a lumbar curve. These features will provide your back with the support it needs.
After you pick out an ergonomic chair, you’ll be more likely to stay productive. And, if you’re not in pain, you’ll be happier as well.
It’s a win-win situation! Plus, you’ll feel pretty comfy in your new chair too!
2. Add Some Decorations
If you don’t have any decorations in your office, get some. They’ll help you feel more at home in your workspace, which will lead to higher productivity.
Adding something as simple as a plant can do wonders for your working environment.
A few other ways to spruce up the area is by adding the following:
- Some framed personal photos that make you smile
- A picture of a favorite destination you’ve been to or hope to see
- A candle with one of your favorite scents
- A few of your favorite books as decorative elements
By putting things that make you happy in your work area, you’ll be more inspired to get to work and get things done.
3. Drink Enough Water
As simple as it sounds, drinking water can make your days a lot better. When you’re hydrated, you start sharper and feel healthier.
But unfortunately, a lot of people fail to do it.
When you go without water for too long, you’ll start to feel tired. Not to mention, your muscles can cramp up from a lack of hydration. Both of these symptoms will have an impact on your productivity.
So, don’t be afraid to drink a lot of water, even if it means going to the restroom more frequently. Your body and brain need it to function properly.
To motivate yourself to drink water, invest in a water bottle with a time marker. Put it on a prominent place on your desk so you won’t forget about it.
If you live with a roommate or family member, ask them to keep you accountable. They can remind you to drink more water and, who knows, maybe your healthy habit will rub off on them too.
4. Take Time Away From Your Home Office
When you work from home, it’s easy to get caught up doing tasks on your computer. Before you know it, your entire week is over, and you feel like you haven’t taken any breaks.
That’s because you haven’t created time to do so!
Don’t be afraid to schedule time away from the apartment. Even if there are essential things to do in your office, they can wait.
Here are a few things you can do when you’re not glued to your desk chair.
Take a Lunch Break
You should take a half-hour or so to eat lunch every day. Put your computer on Sleep mode, make yourself a sandwich, and relax for a few minutes.
Even if you’re busy with a project, you need a break at some point.
Without a lunch break, you’ll have a hard time concentrating. When you have difficulty concentrating, you’ll have a harder time getting things done.
Catch Up With Friends and Family
Another thing you can do with your break is to catch up with your loved ones. Depending on their schedule, they may be able to carve out some time and get a bite to eat with you.
If you can’t meet them in person, give ‘em a call! A brief phone conversation can give you the mood boost you need to get back to work.
Go for a Walk
Walking is great for the brain. It’s a way to get some fresh air and it gets your blood circulating, which helps the brain function better.
So, use your break to take a stroll around your neighborhood. Grab a cup of coffee from the nearest cafe, or head to a nearby park and sit on a bench for a few minutes.
You’ll come back feeling refreshed and ready to take on the world!
5. Set Some Boundaries
Boundaries are all about setting up guidelines for yourself. If you want to be as productive (and happy) as possible, you have to learn when to say no.
One example of a boundary is telling your loved ones that you have set work hours (if you work at home).
They may feel like it’s okay to drop by and say hello or ask you to take a long break. But if a family member stops by whenever they feel like it, they’re not going to do you any favors!
In this type of scenario, you should be able to tell them that you’re unavailable while you’re working. If you allow them to push you off-schedule, you won’t be as productive, and that’s what you’re trying to prevent!
Besides setting boundaries with people, you should also set them for yourself.
More specifically, set some work-from-home boundaries. They could include sticking to a schedule or not working during the weekend.
And, another boundary could be making a point to separate your work life from your personal life.
That means when you’re working, you should wear something other than pajamas. Save your PJs for weekends or after-work hours (even though they’re super comfortable!).
To stay productive and sane, set some boundaries ahead of time. They’ll help you focus and stick to a proper work schedule.
The tips above will keep you happy and motivated. Take some time to put them into action, and you’ll be amazed at how well they work. These are not all, there are more ways to level up your home office.
Working from a home office can be tough, and not everyone is built for it. Some folks simply need the structure of a traditional office space and a 9-5 schedule.
But with the tricks above, you should be able to live a healthy and productive work life.