Are you struggling with how to set up a home office with consideration for your wellness? With more people building home offices this year, this has become a new normal and presents its own unique challenges, given how many hours you could spend at work. In this article, I’ll provide some tips and ideas for how to create a home office environment that won’t sacrifice your well-being.
This will include topics such as establishing an inspiring space, choosing healthy standing desk and chair options, brainstorming healthier lunch and snack ideas, adding movement breaks throughout the day, getting fresh air/office plants etc.
Home Office Wellness: 9 Ways to Make Your Space More Healthy
1. Keep a tidy and professional background
One of the benefits of setting up a divide in your room for a DIY office space is that it creates a clean and professional background. You can also use the wall behind you, which not only benefits Zoom calls and video conferences, but overall productivity and motivation. When we have an organised workspace, we create an environment that is less distracting and helps us be more productive.
2. Maintain Air quality
Most indoor spaces lack the proper ventilation to support a balanced amount of oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide. If you’re lucky enough to have access to fresh air, take advantage of it! Set up near a window that opens or on a balcony and enjoy the breeze during warmer months. Keep bugs out with a screen if necessary. House plants and air purifiers in the desk surface are also great ideas if you don’t have access to fresh air or if it’s too cold outside.
3. Get a good chair
If you find yourself sitting in a chair for long periods of time, whether at home office space or work, it is important to have a comfortable and supportive chair. A good quality desk chair can reduce strain on your physical health, improve your poor posture, and allow you to sit comfortably for extended periods of time, avoiding neck pain and body pain.
The Swiss ball is a great, cheap option – especially when you combine it with standing for portions of the day. It forces you to engage your core to maintain posture, which in turn reduces lower back pain. Additionally, it will keep you moving with minor position changes and improve blood flow overall.
4. SET Digital boundaries
It’s easy to stay connected when you work from home, but it’s crucial that you maintain healthy habits and set digital boundaries for your mental health and prevent working during personal time or normal circumstances. A few examples of this would be: turning off notifications after a certain hour, not logging into your work email on a computer monitor, or keeping your devices out of sight. If you make it difficult to do work while doing something else, then you’re less likely tempt yourself.
5. Access to good light
It’s not just for Zoom calls! Proper lighting can improve your mood and circadian rhythms as well as making all the difference for video calls.
Morning light helps jumpstart your brain for the day. Research has shown that natural light can have a profound impact on mood, stress levels, and happiness. If you don’t have great lighting or windows in your home, consider investing in some sunshine-mimicking bulbs and some bright but warm lamps to help lift your spirits and keep you awake – especially when afternoon fatigue is setting in during the winter months.
6. Discourage personal intrusions.
Well-meaning friends, family members, and neighbors may believe that working from home means you’re available to hang out or chat at any time. However, this isn’t the case if you work from home.
7. Avoid cabin fever
Use this extra time at home to your advantage by frequently getting some fresh air and taking up a new hobby, like gardening or walking.
8. Keep your attitude in check
Don’t let your current circumstances prevent you from being creative, tranquil, happy or productive. Your perspective is your greatest asset.
9. Build support system
If you start to feel lonely while working from home, consider setting up a supportive group with friends or colleagues in the same situation. By regularly meeting and sharing creative solutions, you can help everyone adjust more easily to this new way of living and working.
Final Thoughts On Home Office Wellness
Remember, your home office is meant to be a productive and comfortable space for work. Don’t sacrifice your health by creating an environment that doesn’t support it. Take the time to establish an inspiring and healthy workspace, from tidy backgrounds to proper furniture and lighting, maintaining air quality and setting boundaries for digital communication during personal time. It may take some extra effort, but it will benefit your physical and mental well-being in the long run.