The last twelve months has seen more of us working from home than ever before and we can certainly expect this trend to continue. There is wealth of benefits for a company which has staff working from home, and employees often enjoy this way of working too. Having said this, working at home brings the potential for problems and distractions, which can lead to a stressful day at the home office. The key to mitigating this risk is to make sure that your environment is as stress-free as possible, and here is how to create it.
Dedicated Workspace
Spending your day at the ‘office’ sat at your kitchen table is not going to be a good environment for you to work in. For you to get the right conditions you have to make sure that you have a dedicated area of your home which is solely for working. Even if you have to share this with family and work at different times, it is something which is worth doing. There is a certain shift which the mind makes when it enters a space like this, and getting into work mode requires a space which is just for that.
Bring The Outside In
Not only do plants looks great in the work space, they are also proven stress relievers. Adding one or two plants to the space can really help you to focus and to deal with stress better. Opt for hardy plants like succulents which are very simple to maintain and can survive most conditions.
Try a Standing Desk
Sitting down all day is not natural and it can result in problems with muscles and your overall posture. It is not just your physical health which you risk when you sit down at a desk all day, but also your mental health. Research has revealed that constantly sitting increases anxiety and ability to deal with stress. Companies like Papaya have some beautifully designed desk options which can help you to feel and work better.
Mass Declutter
If your work environment is chaotic then this is a feeling which you too are likely to carry. The aim here should be to keep the space clean and tidy, and as minimal as possible. Organize drawers, get rid of rubbish and aim to remove anything which isn’t related to your work from the space. If you like to keep certain things (e.g., your pens and pencils) within your reach, opt for a multipurpose organizer. There are desk organizers with pen holders and mini trays that can hold your writing implements. Those can keep your paper clips, adhesive or washi tapes, and pins neat and tidy, as well. You can look at multi-level organizers or paper trays as well. These will allow you to separate various paper sizes so you can grab the one you want quickly. Time to say goodbye to shuffling through sheaves of paper before you get the one you need! This will ensure a more positive frame of mind, as well as making it easier to find things when you need them.
Bright Space
If you want to have the very best working environment then you need it to be as bright as possible. Open up windows to allow as much natural light to flood in as possible. If your office space doesn’t get much natural light then look to invest in a high quality lamp or spotlight which mimics natural light. Fluorescent bulbs and dimly lit spaces are not at all conducive to a healthy work environment.
Some simple changes can greatly reduce your levels of stress when working from home.
