According to Medium.com’s “Crossover” blog, one of the most important things about working from home is creating boundaries. Maintaining or selecting a dedicated workspace helps minimize distractions from family, pets, TV and all the other goings-on at home that might beg your attention.
The blog suggests physical boundaries help maintain mental boundaries. Having a place to “go to work,” even if it’s just a table or a corner, gives your workday some structure—and entering that space becomes a mental trigger that it’s time to focus.
When it comes to organizing your work space for maximum efficiency and minimal damage to your body, The Mayo Clinic recommends the following:
- Keep key objects—such as your telephone, stapler or printed materials—close to your body to minimize reaching. Stand up to get anything that can’t be accessed while sitting.
- If you use one, place your monitor directly in front of you at about arm’s length. The top of the screen should be at or slightly below eye level.
- Use a speaker or headset instead of cradling a phone between your head and neck.
- While typing or using a mouse, keep wrists straight, upper arms close to your body and hands at or slightly below the level of your elbows.
An American Society of Interior Design study showed 68 percent of those surveyed were unhappy about lighting—a key point, because workspace lighting can impact productivity, health, mood and well-being.
In addition, a 2017 Cornell study showed sitting within 10 feet of a window reduced eye strain, headaches and blurred vision symptoms as much as 84 percent—so trying to maximize natural light in your home workspace is critical. If it isn’t possible because your workspace is in a basement or interior room, consider obtaining ceiling lights that imitate natural light or sunlight desk lamps.
John Voket is a contributing editor to RISMedia.
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