Remote working was once considered a rare thing and most of us never had the luxury of working from home. However, now because of the ongoing pandemic, it is being practiced all over the world. But to our surprise, it’s not as much of a luxury as we had expected. Work from home can be pretty stressful, especially when the boundaries between work and home become very thin.
A lot of companies have also declared that they might go completely remote in the coming years even if the situation improves. In such a scenario, it becomes important that we set up a proper work environment within our homes so that we are mentally prepared to work during office hours and can maintain a proper work-life balance.
To ensure this, we have prepared a quick guide on a few work-from-home essentials, that include some items and tips that you can follow to focus better on your work, while still enjoying the comfort of your home.
Also read: Best laptops to buy under 35,000 INR
A Guide to working from home essentials
First, you have to select a quiet and secluded space to set up your new workspace. This space has to be somewhere away from unnecessary disturbance and noise. Considering that most of your meetings will also take place here, choose a space with not too many background distractions. Once this is done, you can start off with building your workspace.
Here’s a checklist of home office essentials you can buy:
1. First and foremost, get a desk
No matter what, do not (I repeat Do Not!) sit on your bed for work. This is not only bad for your posture, but it will also keep you feeling lethargic the whole day. If you do not have a desk and chair already, invest in one. You can get cheap laptop desks that can be used either with chairs or can even be comfortably placed on the floor.
2. Try to get an Ergonomic chair
While this is not an absolute necessity, it will be better if you can get an office-style good quality chair for yourself. These chairs have an ergonomic design that will make u sit upright and maintain your posture. Think of it as a one-time investment and buy a good-quality chair. It will keep you comfortably seated for hours in front of your desk. You can opt for this Ergonomic chair if you are looking for one.
3. High-speed Wi-Fi is a must
If you haven’t invested in one already, make sure that you get a high-speed Wi-Fi setup in your home as soon as possible. You might think that mobile data can get your job done, but it might not be sustainable for long-term work. Nowadays Wi-Fi packages are cheap and all-comprehensive and you can easily get it set within an hour. Choose a good plan based on your usage and preference. However, make sure you get the Wi-Fi coverage in your workspace area especially.
4. Headphones or earphones with mic
Since you will have to attend all your meetings online, your communications need to be clear. For this, get yourself a good pair of headphones or earphones, or earbuds based on your preference. Just make sure that the mic is of good quality. Again try investing in a good pair of earphones noise-canceling earphones for a smooth and noise-free experience.
5. Water bottle and coffee mug
Even though you are basically at home, you need to keep a water bottle with you at your desk. Don’t get yourself distracted over going to the kitchen every time you need water. Also, keeping water by your side will make you consume more water and keep yourself hydrated. This is very important since we tend to neglect our water intake when at home. Make sure you follow this routine and consume at least 5-6 liters of water every day.
6. Table plants
While this might sound like a mere accessory, keeping small plants at your desk can actually improve productivity. It will help you to relax better, as well as act as a change of sight to make you focus better on your work. You can opt for either a small money plant or a decorative pot plant; anything that you like and pleases your eyes.
7. Footrest
Footrests are a good option especially if your table does not come equipped with leg rest. When you are sitting at your desk for long hours, you might not be able to maintain a good posture. Footrests help to provide this comfort and will help you to improve your posture when you sit at your desk all day long.
8. Table Lamp
Since you might be working for late hours at your home, you might need a dedicated table lamp for your desk. A table lamp will help to maintain a well-lit and lively space.
9. Power extension board with Multiple Sockets:
With soo many gadgets to handle during your work hours and only a little space available at your disposal, you might need multiple power sockets to keep your devices charged and working throughout the day. While offices are usually equipped with multiple sockets at your work desk, that might not be the case at your home. You might have to keep running around your home trying to find power sockets, which can be an inconvenience. Buying an external power socket can help solve this, you can easily plug in at least 4 to 5 devices in one go.
10. Laptop cooling pad:
There is a high chance that you might not be sitting in a fully air-conditioned room like your office. When you are working on your laptop for such long hours, chances are that your laptop may overheat. You can invest in a good laptop cooling pad, which can help keep your laptop, if not cooler, but at room temperature and reduce the chances of its damage from overheating.
Personal tips to increase your productivity while working from home:
1. Maintain a routine:
The most important thing you need to follow while working from home is setting and following a routine. We might feel that work from home is easy and more comfortable, but you might easily lose sight of your personal and professional boundaries when both are not physically distinguished. Ensure that you fix hours for your work, usually the same as your work timings, have lunch and tea break at fixed timings, and most importantly; log off for the day at your fixed time. Remember that you are bringing work to your home, and not making your home into an office.
2. Communicate with your family members:
While you understand the seriousness of your work, your family might not be on the same page as you. Usually, when family members see you at home, they may assume that you are ‘free’ and ‘available’ at all times. Try to communicate with your family members in advance about your work timings, and make them understand at what hours you can be approached and at what hours you should not be disturbed. This will help to maintain your work decorum and concentration.
3. Declutter:
Make sure your workspace is always kept clean and you do not have any non-work-related items at your desk. This will help to keep away from unnecessary distractions, and at the same time enhance your concentration at work.
4. Change into your work attire:
This might sound like a hassle, but by doing this you will mentally prepare yourself for work. When we work from home, the biggest challenge is not just getting to work, but getting to work with the same attitude as working from your office. Changing your clothes and physically being ready for work can drastically change your focus on work.
5. Prepare a To-do list:
Preparing a to-do list will keep your work more systematic and help track your work progress better. You can write down the major tasks for the day, and keep striking off the ones that are done. This will keep you actively working on each of the tasks, and you can also get prioritize your tasks better. At the end of the day, you can assess what all you have achieved if you were productive throughout the day or not. This will definitely ensure that you don’t slag during work time and follow a more thorough routine.
6. Exercise:
It has been proven by multiple studies that Exercise does help increase your performance at work! Exercise helps to raise your energy levels and reduce your stress and fatigue while working. Try to exercise at least for 15 minutes daily. Follow some simple exercises to start off with, that help you move your muscles and keeps your brain active throughout the day.
7. Relax and unwind:
Working from home can be really stressful, especially if your office demands long work hours. It is important that you focus on your mental wellbeing during these times as well. When office hours are over, try to follow any activity you like, maybe cooking, reading a book, listening to some music, or meditation. Also, try spending some quality time with your family post your work hours. Whatever you choose to do, just remember to relax and unwind from the stress.
Conclusion:
Setting up your work desk at home is the first step towards ensuring a successful work from the home regime. Once you prepare your work environment, you can focus better on your work and increase your productivity. While this might seem like a lot, it is all a one-time investment. It will later come down to how you decide to maintain your work-from-home atmosphere. Try to work within fixed hours, and ensure that you take time out for yourself and relax regularly.