Even before the pandemic, remote work has been on a steady rise, increasing by 44% five years prior to the global lockdowns. Benefits such as flexible work schedules and improvement of work-life balance appeal to employees. Meanwhile, employers see remote work as an effective way to boost employee retention and attract more possible employees. However, remote work has its challenges too. For many people, it’s not always easy to stay motivated and disciplined when working from home.

Fortunately, there are solutions to help you work remotely — and this includes having a dedicated workspace. To help you create a work environment for you, here are a few pointers to keep in mind:

Have good lighting
Lighting can have a significant effect on a person’s concentration. There is a connection between light and the circadian rhythm, which determines sleep cycle, relaxation, and stimulation. As such, good lighting can improve a person’s alertness and productivity. It also reduces headaches that come from eye strain. Natural light is ideal, so it would be best if you situate your home office desk by the window. This is because aside from giving you enough light that isn’t harsh, the sun can also improve your mood and hormonal balance.

Decorate with plants
Plants bring the benefits of nature to your workspace. They can improve indoor air quality, which reduces health problems. The color green is also a restful color for the eye and helps improve overall mood. Plants can even be a cheaper and more natural alternative to sound insulation, absorbing noise pollution to help you have a quiet environment. However, there are some plants that may fare better in your workspace than others. For instance, the ZZ plant can take care of itself even if you sometimes forget to water it.

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Focus on ergonomics
An ergonomic workspace consists of furniture and accessories that are designed for you to be able to work in comfort, while also supporting your body as you work. For instance, an ergonomic chair supports the natural curve of your back — reducing the pain and strain in your back, hips, and neck. A good chair should also promote circulation in your lower limbs and have armrests that let your shoulders fall naturally. But even with an ergonomic chair, make sure to stand up every now and then, as sitting for too long can make you sedentary. To help combat this, you can use a standing desk every 30 minutes. Standing up eases the pressure on your lower back, improves your overall circulation, and boosts metabolism. Good posture, better comfort, and less exertion help you focus more on your tasks. You won’t have to be distracted or keep constantly readjusting yourself just to prevent pain and discomfort.

Keep your space organized
An organized space can greatly minimize distractions within your workspace. Your physical environment has a significant impact on your mindset and the way you work. Because you see a lot of things on your desk, your mind is also flitting to each of them – from that empty cup, you should have washed earlier to those documents you’ll be reviewing later that day. This can cause you to feel overwhelmed.

To avoid this, you should take the time to clean and organize your workspace in order to improve your concentration on the task at hand. An organized space also means you know where things are placed, so you don’t need to spend so much time looking for them.

Written and submitted by Chanel Travis
For lisajeffs.com’s exclusive publishing