It’s a whole new work from home world. Whether you’re adjusting to a fully remote work environment or a hybrid model situation, this past year has changed the way we think about our homes, our workspaces, our productivity and our work/life balance.
DID YOU KNOW: According to a recent Upwork survey, 26% of the American workforce will be working remotely through 2021. They also estimate that over 36 million Americans will work remotely by 2025. Clearly, what was formerly a perk, is now the norm. Interestingly, an Airtasker survey revealed that remote workers are actually more productive, working an additional 1.4 days per month, totaling nearly 17 days per year. How can that be? Studies are showing that people are able to do more work in less time and enjoy the flexibility aspect of the work from home environment.
7 Tips That Will Make WFH Continue To Work For You:
Create Space Within Your Space. Is your work from home office space a dedicated room, or is it a flexible family hub? Either way, it should be functional and comfortable because surroundings matter. Here are some spots you might not have considered for a home office workspace:
- The landing at the top of the stairs.
- An unused closet-just remove the doors!
- Repurpose a section of a walk-in closet.
- Finish off part of an unfinished attic or lower level.
Functional Furnishings. Two items are essential: A high-quality desk and a lumbar supporting office chair for your back and overall health. The Harvard Business Review found that untidy workspaces can worsen anxiety and your ability to focus. So, keep it clean and calm. Bringing together beautiful form and elegant functionality, try a folding computer desk for small spaces or an elegant writing desk with storage that checks off all the boxes.
Color Your World. Color has an enormous impact on us psychologically, emotionally and even physically. Greens are calming and restful. Blues have been shown to help manage stress, lower blood pressure and anxiety levels. Neutrals like “Greige” (a gray/beige) are the new, warm go-to hues that live with just about any color palette. Pinks evoke peace and tranquility when they are soft and subtle. Alternatively, bright colors stimulate and energize the brain. Consider pops of your favorite colors amid a more Zen and tranquil background for the best of both worlds.
Embrace Nature: A major trend in 2021 is bringing the essence of the outdoors, inside. You can do this with plants and flowers, botanical prints and nature photography. Consider asking your kids to draw you a happy garden or a majestic forest and then frame their one-of-a-kind artwork.
Press Pause: Taking regular breaks increase motivation, creativity and memory consolidation (the process by which experiences are transferred to long-term memory). Psychology Today reports taking movement breaks that include stretching, a brisk walk or a few quick push-ups, are vital for your physical and emotional well-being. They also allow your brain that necessary “time out” to renew and refresh. So be kind to yourself and step away from the screen…
Light It Up. If possible, make sure your home office space is near natural sunlight. Sunlight increases the release of serotonin, the happy hormone. It’s also a mood lifter and re-energizer to help you feel focused and calm. To put you in the best light for those important video conferencing calls, aim for either natural sunlight or a Daylight LED lightbulb.
Soft Touch. For all those hours you are barefoot at your workspace, make sure you have softness underfoot. Whether you prefer modern or vintage, these area rugs assure your feet are cushioned and comfy as you work.