Working from home? Home office tips to keep you happy, healthy and productive

While most of us have been working from home for a while now, it's easy to fall into bad habits. Here are a few easy - and proven - ways to increase your comfort and productivity in your home office.

The right chair

If you haven't already, invest in a good quality ergonomic office chair. After all, you're spending hours a day on it so splurging a little more on higher-quality will quickly pay off - also, your back will thank you later! If your home office has plush carpeting or a shaggy rug, a traditional office chair with wheels might be impractical. You can easily overcome this with a chair mat - not only will this make moving around easier but it will also protect your flooring.

Measure up

Make sure the size and style of your furniture suits the space available in your home office. Corner desks work well in smaller spaces, whereas a wall-to-wall desk is better suited to a larger or narrow room. Take into account any equipment you will regularly need access to such as a printer, phone charger, external hard drive or any charging docks and assign it a home. Also, if you have the extra space, consider bringing in an armchair to create an informal work-zone where you can catch up on emails before you get started on more focused work at your desk.

Give yourself space

When you're setting up your home office, envision how you will feel working there. You don't want to be facing a wall five days a week so if possible, face a window - ideally one that offers a nice view. This will give your eyes plenty of opportunities to shift focus away from the screen throughout the day. If there is greenery outside, glancing at the view will do wonders for your mental health. If not, take matters into your own hands and bring in some indoor plants - you'll be surprised how much they will improve your mood and concentration throughout the day. 

Lighten up

Have a variety of lighting sources available for your home office. A window offers plenty of natural light - which will do wonders for keeping your circadian rhythm in check - but if this isn't possible, consider a desk lamp which can be useful for task lighting - particularly in the late afternoons or early mornings. 

Get rid of clutter

Choose multifunctional equipment and wireless tech where possible to cut out unnecessary clutter around your home office. Going wireless will reduce messy cables and increase overall efficiency. For the necessary cords, keep them from getting unruly with cable ties and hide them behind the desk for a sleek finish and calming ambience.
 

Look after yourself

While it's easy to get caught up in work - especially when working from home - it's important to remember to look after yourself. Take regular breaks and if possible, go for a walk during lunch. Dedicating time to focus on your mental and physical wellbeing while working from home will increase productivity and help focus. For those of us needing a gentle reminder, there's plenty of gadgets that will help keep track from activity tracker watches to stylish hourglasses that add to the decor. 

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