If you’ve recently started working from home, you might have noticed that your mind and body have begun to feel the consequences. In that case, you need to design your home office in a way that promotes wellness. With that in mind, keep on reading for a quick guide on how you can create a healthy space to work in.
Bring in natural light
Before you get any further with designing your workspace, you need to know that its location is very important. So, if possible, look for a room that gets plenty of sunlight during the day. In case you were not already aware, there are many benefits to natural light such as improved mood, reduced eye strain, less drowsiness, fewer mistakes, increased focus, and fewer headaches. To maximize natural light, get sheer curtains or ditch them altogether and install a mirror or two to help light bounce around. Furthermore, layer artificial lights and get bulbs that mimic natural light.
Implement the right colors
Something else you can do to make the environment more productive is to choose the right colors for space. For example, a shade of green such as sage or sea-foam can boost your creative thinking and put you in a relaxed mental state. These calming hues can be implemented in many different ways. Painting your walls in one of these quiet colors can help you create this inspirational atmosphere in no time. If repainting the walls is not an option, you can get some accessories like stationery or rugs in green.
Get ergonomic equipment
When you start furnishing the space, it’s vital that you keep your body in mind. Therefore, ergonomic equipment is a must. If you will spend most of your workday sitting, you should not try to save money when purchasing a chair. Invest in a model that will properly support your neck, back, and limbs. Then, there is other equipment that can be ergonomic as well, such as keyboards and mouses, so try to get these as well.
Consider a standing desk
Perhaps you’ve heard the recent saying that sitting is the new smoking. Yes, even with an ergonomic chair, you will feel the consequences of sitting for eight hours a day. To prevent health issues, try adding a stand up desk or a height-adjustable one to your home office. That way, you can spend a part of your day standing. Studies show that standing desk benefits not just physical but also our mental health.
However, you also have to ensure you are comfortable while on your feet so look into anti fatigue mats that can reduce tiredness and decrease pain. If you opt for this approach, make sure your screen is at eye level and your elbows bent at 90 degrees when typing on your keyboard.
Add greenery
To inspire a sense of wellness, you should also add some greenery to your home office. Moreover, green, leafy plants can also boost your mood and creativity. No matter if you’re good at taking care of houseplants or not, you can find something that will enrich your space. Finally, some species like the peace lily can even improve the quality of the air you are breathing. If you’re scared that plants might be dangerous for your pet, you can invest in an air purifier with a HEPA filter.
Take regular breaks
Seeing as how you are working from home, you don’t have to commute and go out for lunch. This means that you are moving less so take regular breaks during which you will walk to the kitchen to get a snack, do a mini-workout, or maybe even go around the block and walk your pet. Doing this will be good for your back and limbs as well as for your eyes as you will not be staring at the screen for hours on end. The 20-20-20 method is a great practice to adopt.
Don’t eat at your desk
Finally, learn not to eat at your desk. If you eat when distracted with work, you will tend to overeat. Plus, not eating while working will keep the crumbs out of your keyboard. Instead, go to the kitchen and have a proper meal. Just remember to stock your fridge with healthy foods and snacks. In case you don’t have time to prepare a healthy meal, get one delivered to your doorstep.
From introducing natural light and cleaning the air to implementing ergonomic equipment and taking regular breaks, there are many ways how you can design your home office so that it promotes wellbeing.
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