Though it may seem like the epitome of relaxation, working from home in your pajamas can be tough to stay efficient, healthy and motivated. Although there are many advantages that come with working remotely, such as increased flexibility and decreased commuting costs, there are also some potential drawbacks. These can include things like feelings of isolation from coworkers, increased cybersecurity risks associated with working on unsecured networks and devices, and employees burning out because they feel pressure to be “always on.”
Creating an environment that encourages productivity while also promoting wellbeing is critical to maintaining your work and mental health. Fortunately, you don’t have to do it alone. Tools that make your home office smarter can help you improve your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing while telecommuting.
Working from Home and Your Health
For most people, working from home is preferable to conventional office work — over 66% of respondents who worked remotely during the epidemic would prefer to keep doing so. Apart from the increased personal freedom, there are plenty of other incentive for why people love working from home. You don’t have to spend money on gas, coffee or lunch breaks, and you can use that extra time to run errands or enjoy your hobbies.
Though working from home has its benefits, it also comes with the risk of heightened feelings of loneliness and isolation. If you’re a people person who thrives on brainstorming with coworkers or meeting up for lunch, an empty house office might be somewhat dull. If you’re an introvert, the lack of social interaction may take a toll on you in ways you didn’t expect.
But there are many things you can do to mitigate the effects of social isolation while working from home. You can use video conferencing tools like Zoom or Skype to stay in touch with your coworkers, set up a dedicated workspace away from distractions like the television, and take breaks to get some fresh air or take a walk around the block.
Ways to Improve Your Wellbeing While Working from Home
You spend about half of your working day at work. This time spent in your home office instead of a crowded workplace may lead to feelings of loneliness and burnout. These factors make optimizing your home office for wellness critical to achieving peak efficiency.
If you want to make your home office as productive and efficient as possible, investing in some ergonomic furniture and smart home technology can be a game changer. Here are 15 ways that smart home office tools can help you boost productivity and wellness while working from home.
Self-care is a practice of positive thinking and putting your physical well-being first that may be done in both your home office and at home.
Home wellness technology can assist you with this:
1. Use digital frames to display artwork that inspires you
Art has been scientifically shown to improve critical thinking while reducing stress. By selecting digital frames for your home office, you can change pictures with a push of a button — and after doing some research, you can pick pieces that will inspire you to be more productive.
Benefits of art in the home? Art has many emotional benefits, for example photography improves attention, vintage art increases empathy, and family photographs are proven mood-boosters.
2. Create a space that celebrates nature, with a smart indoor garden
The term biophilic design refers to a theory of design that emphasizes the connection between humans and nature. It seeks to bring the outdoors inside to enhance air quality and encourage innovation. If you don’t have a green thumb, live plants may seem like a lot of work.
Smart indoor gardens automate the process of growing plants at home, allowing you to simply click and grow rather than repot and water. You’ll be able to relax and enjoy your home without worrying about maintaining it. You’ll also get the added benefit of a beautiful indoor environment that will improve your general health and wellbeing.
3. Get the fresh air you deserve with a smart air purifier
Air purifiers, similar to houseplants, improve the air quality in your living space by removing pollutants. The air quality in your home may reduce as toxins, like dust, build up when the air isn’t moving. A smart air purifier guarantees efficient cleaning days and monitors particle levels using a voice assistant.
4. Get a workout while you work with an under-desk elliptical
Although working from home has its perks, such as no commute, it can also lead to a sedentary lifestyle if you’re not careful. When you’re walking around an office, going shopping, or being more active in your neighborhood, it’s a lot easier to get in your daily steps.
Smart fitness equipment, like an under-desk elliptical machine, can help you stay more active even while working from home.
5. A smart water bottle can help you stay hydrated
Depending on how much water you drink, it can either help or hinder your focus and weight loss journey. If you’re like me and often forget to drink the recommended eight glasses of water a day, a smart water bottle can be your solution. This device not only tracks how much water you drink each day, but also sends reminders to help you hit your daily intake goals. Other features include hydration statistics and temperature sensors. the botell brand and app have garnered a lot of media attention of late.
Smart gadgets for remote work productivity
Being able to work effectively is just as important as being comfortable in your home office. While many workers are finding it difficult to put down the computer at night while working from home, they’re also being confronted with additional distractions during the day.
Use smart gadgets to keep your focus with these tips:
6. Get a better grip on work by cutting out unwanted noise with these handy headphones
You’re not the only one who struggles to focus with noise in the background. If you have a home office, chances are your kids (or other family members) are constantly disrupting you. Loud neighborhood noises like lawnmowers, delivery trucks and construction can be disruptive and make it hard to concentrate or focus on work calls.
Noise-cancelling headphones with active-noise cancellation (ANC) technology absorbs low-frequency sounds before they have a chance to reach your ears, ensuring that you can focus on work in peace.
7. Create a well-lit environment to increase productivity with smart bulbs
Poor lighting might have a negative influence on your productivity and comfort without you even being aware of it. You may change the style of light in your home office by using smart bulbs if natural light does not enter from a nearby window. Also, this lighting method doesn’t use as much energy as traditional bulbs; it requires 70-90% less electricity.
Smart lighting is a technology that has gradually been taking over the traditional light bulb. These new bulbs connect to your home’s Wi-Fi or via Bluetooth, and can be controlled remotely through an app on your phone or with a smart-home assistant such as Amazon’s Alexa or Google Home. Some more expensive models even have settings for studying or working, which helps you focus by emitting a precise light.
8. A smart pen can help you digitize your notes
Do you still prefer to write down meeting notes on paper? A smart pen now allows you to convert your handwritten notes into digital files. Rather of having to type up notes after a meeting or a conversation, your pen will automatically record and save them.
9. Use a Wi-Fi thermostat to cool down or warm up
Working from home offers several advantages. One of the main benefits is that you can control the conditions. Setting your thermostat correctly improves both comfort and productivity in the workplace, and a Wi-Fi thermostat makes changing both temperature and humidity in your home office simple.
The usual temperature at workplaces is 71.64 degrees Fahrenheit, but other elements influence it. Warm climates promote innovative thinking, while chilly rooms aid people concentrate on repetitive activities.
10. A smart mug will keep your coffee at the perfect temperature
There are now smart mugs that you can buy which have their own app and keep your coffee at a uniform heat. While this device may seem a little over-the-top, having a warm cup of coffee or tea does wonders for productivity.
Office ergonomics tools for the home
Ergonomics is the study of how to make a work environment fit a person’s needs so that they can improve workplace safety, increase efficiency and raise morale. Engineers and designers apply ergonomics when creating desks, software and more.
When working remotely, using ergonomic concepts in your home office setup might help you improve the functioning of the space.
Here are some pointers to get you started:
11. Dual monitors will help you see even more
Dual monitors allow you to multitask more effectively by allowing you to view several windows at the same time. With this home office arrangement along with the best monitor arm, you can complete items faster and work alongside notes and paperwork at the same time.
Place your computer monitors directly in front of you, about an arm’s length away, for optimum office ergonomics. The top of the screens should be at or slightly below eye level so that you do not have to slouch to view them.
12. Get a standing desk for your office
Add a standing workstation to your routine. This workplace improvement may help you avoid obesity, heart disease, and neck discomfort. Even people who exercise regularly are susceptible to the ill effects of prolonged sitting.
Standing desks can also boost your productivity. WebMD found that call center employees who used standing desks were 45 percent more productive than those who sat the whole shift. There is also growing evidence that using standing desks is better than sitting all day in preventing longer term health issues.
13. Smart-glasses can help you avoid eyestrain
Beyond just 20/20 vision, eyeglasses have become smarter. Smart glasses are computerized glasses that not only improve your sight, but also provide displays of useful information like incoming calls or even current health statistics.
If you want a cheaper option, go for glasses that filter out blue light from computer screens. This way, you can reduce your exposure and risks from too much screen time. For example, ocular muscle fatigue can lead to reduced accuracy and productivity levels, as well as cause discomfort.
14. A smart posture trainer can help you avoid slouching
Did you know that 80% of the population will have back discomfort at some time in their life? The smart posture trainer is a small adhesive that buzzes gently to remind you to improve your slouched position. Using biofeedback, the trainer helps you improve your posture naturally.
15. A wireless mouse and keyboard can help reduce wrist pain
Wrist strain can cause carpal tunnel syndrome. Purchase a wireless keyboard and mouse to reduce reaching and clicks. Because these gadgets aren’t attached to the wall, they may move with you as you go about your day in different parts of your workspace. To reduce wrist strain, Mayo Clinic recommends clicking with different hands whenever possible and using keyboard shortcuts.
Bonus Tip
Once you’ve installed smart tools and digital gadgets in your home office, protect your expensive assets by renewing your homeowners insurance policy. Eco-friendly improvements or security systems may even lower your policy.
And, of course, gadgets and smart devices can also do so much, so be sure to still visit your doctors to ensure that your health is in good condition. At the very least, you should have regular checkups with a physician and a dental expert like this dentist in Leominster.