Tips On Creating A Healthy Workspace At Home

Working from home has become the ‘new normal’ for many people. Whether it is because of the widespread onset of the Covid-19 pandemic or because of working from home a few days a week, many of us converted our spare rooms into our home office workspaces. But a poorly designed home workspace can cause you stress, which in turn can affect your overall job performance. Take the following tips into consideration in order to design a healthy and productive home workspace. 

Sit Or Stand Comfortably

It is important for you to be comfortable in your workspace, and the same goes for your home office. Having ergonomic support for your body is critical in avoiding pain in the neck and back. Choose a comfortable chair that arches your back and provides good support as you move around your workspace. This way, you will ensure that your spine is upright and healthy. 

If you feel that you need to move more during your working hours, consider getting a sit/stand desk. There is growing evidence by researchers in ergonomics who praise sit/stand desks for reducing chronic lower back pain for those in sedentary working positions. 

Also, it is important to remember to take regular screen breaks. As you get up and look away from the screen, your eyes adjust back to normal and your body is relieved of the stress associated with sedentary work. 

Illuminate Your Workspace

Natural light is very important for those individuals working in an office. Being near a window with a source of natural light can improve one’s mood and focus. With this in mind, do your best to reduce glare with appoportaie window blinds and screens. 

If natural light levels are not sufficient in your workspace, be sure to get the best desk lamp which can mimic a natural light spectrum. Also, avoid shining your desk lamp directly at your eyes as you can suffer from unnecessary eye strain. 

Improve The Air Quality

Researchers have found that by merely opening a window, average work productivity increases by 11 percent. This is especially true in the winter months, when a lack of sunlight and fresh air can lead to job dissatisfaction and an overall lethargy. 

Installing air purifiers can also help with the air quality in your workspace. You can control air-borne particles in your workspace by having a HEPA filter purify the air in your home office. 

Also, you may want to reconsider using air fresheners in your workspace, as research has found noxious chemicals in air freshener aerosols which can aggravate asthma and disrupt hormone function. 

Go Green

Plants in a workspace have been found to have significant psychological and physical benefits in reducing stress, lowering blood pressure, and improving mood. Some potted plants have incredible physical benefits for those working in offices. Spider plants, for example, can remove formaldehyde in the air, while lavender can improve your mood as it is a natural stress-reliever. 

Stay Hydrated

It is important to stay hydrated for a few reasons. You can boost your metabolism and reduce tiredness if you consistently hydrate your body. Dehydration can also directly affect your work performance, as poor hydration has been found to cause headaches, affect memory, and significantly decrease your attention span. 

Also, it is a good tip to make sure that you drink more fresh water compared to coffee on an average working day. 

If you have any questions regarding your workspace or how we can meet your insurance needs while working from home, please contact us today so that our knowledge staff can help you out.