The current COVID-19 state has caused in a global lockdown. With firms often having a tough time settling to changes in process, working from home became a common solution. Still, firms and staff are finding it stressful, more so that COVID-19 has forced them to adapt to a foreign working setting. Firms are worried about output, while remote workers are worried if they can stay productive in a work from home setup.
The Coronavirus outbreak has caused several companies to force their staff to work from home. Most firms — large and small — are grappling to build useful working conditions for managing their staff who work remotely. Employees are also having trouble with their routines in their new setup.
There are plenty options how firms and workers can do their usual process during the COVID-19 pandemic; namely, through working from home, working remotely, and telecommuting. First off, let’s understand their differences.
The Difference between Work from Home, Remote Work, and Telecommuting
COVID-19 has allowed for more flexible plans for staff. They have been part of today’s modern work life. “Work from home,” “remote work,” and “telecommuting” are used alternately; but there are differences between them.
Working from home means you are doing your tasks at home. On the other hand, if you’re working remotely, you do your tasks from any location, without the need to report to your company’s onsite office space. Lastly, if you’re teleworking, you’re fulfilling your role from a remote location, but might have to come to your company’s onsite office space sometimes.
The pandemic has forced firms to send their staff home to operate virtually. It has been constantly posing new issues with workers’ efficiency and mental health. We’re in foreign waters; it’s crucial to find ways how to work aptly and socialize while also caring for our mental health and well-being.
Most staff are working full time from home, away from their co-workers, friends, and family. Our usual habits are disturbed, causing in increased anxiety, stress, and strain on a physical, emotional, and mental level. Furthermore, it’s normal for workers to have a tough time attending conference calls, project meetings, and company events through a computer screen. Distractions are everywhere — making it tough for staff to focus and achieve tasks on time.
The Importance of a Good Work from Home Setup
Building a home office setup is not as simple as you think. You don’t simply lean a table against a wall, grab a chair, plug in your computer, and start working. It may surprise you how a proper work from home setup affects your productivity. If you want to stay focused, having a good setup is crucial. A well-thought-out setup can help you work easier. If you truly want to be productive, you must give your work from home setup a lot more care.
Other than efficiency, there are also health perks of having a good office home setup. It can save you from headaches, blurred vision, neck and back strains, carpal tunnel syndrome, poor body posture, body aches, and distractions. It can even improve your work-life balance. You must have a proper home office setup to perform your best while also improving your health.
The Essentials of a Good Work from Home Setup
Now that you know the value of having a good work from home setup, here are the things you need to put together to achieve it.
1. Ergonomic Office Chair
You’re slouched at your desk, neck craned, and what was once a minor lower backache has progressed to a point where it’s harming your productivity. Sound familiar?
Hot take: Gaming chairs will do you no good. Getting a comfy ergonomic chair with full lumbar support will help you focus and reduce back pain. Workers who were given an ergonomic chair reported less negative symptoms throughout the day and a total improvement in productivity of 17.7%, according to a 2003 ergonomics research.
2. Ergonomic Keyboard
Is your standard keyboard is really that bad? Your hurting wrists should answer that for you. The situation becomes worse as you type, too. Your forearms are strained, and you have to stretch your fingers at odd angles to reach the keys. To strike each letter on your keyboard, you may need to use a lot of effort, sending a tiny shock wave up your fragile finger bones over and over.
Improved comfort is one of the ergonomic keyboard’s advantages. In a natural position, your hands and arms relax. This allows you to become your most productive self.
3. Laptop Stands
One perk of using a laptop stand is that it raises the screen to eye level. If you’ve used a laptop for an extended period, you’ve surely felt stiffness or even pain in your neck and back well before the day is done. This is mostly due to the laptop screen’s low height, which causes you to always glance down to see it. Plus, laptop stands mostly have an adjustable height!
A laptop stand also allows you to connect an extra keyboard to your laptop while keeping the screen from being pushed too far back. When you need to be closer to the screen, such as to interact with a touchscreen laptop, dual rise laptop stands even let you slide the external keyboard beneath the laptop.
4. Desk Lamp
A basic soft light desk lamp is another feature of a cozy and productive work atmosphere. A soft glow creates a pleasant, inviting atmosphere in your office, which may help you work more relaxed and stress-free.
5. Standing Desk
Standing desks have been around for a long time, but they are becoming increasingly popular as people recognize the health benefits they give. Standing for 30 minutes at a time (4 hours or more per day) while working can have a significant impact on your health and physique, and it’s easy to do — provided you have the right tools.
Standing desks can lower your risk of heart disease, reduce back pain, and lower your risk of obesity and type2 diabetes. It can also improve your mood and boost productivity.
6. Natural Light
Place your work setup near a window so you can get some healthy vitamin D! Employees benefit the most from natural light because it increases performance by lowering stress and increasing satisfaction. Natural light also helps in regulating the body’s natural circadian rhythms (sleep-wake schedules).
7. Plants
Plants are more than just decorations. According to studies, plants are beneficial to one’s health since they filter the air and are therapeutic. Plants bring life and color to indoor places. Plants may also help us manage stress. In fact, psychologists have discovered that introducing some greenery into the office can boost productivity by up to 15%.
8. Strong Wi-Fi Connection
Without a doubt, a dependable and fast internet connection is crucial to any efficient working environment. It’s vital to get a fast internet connection that’s both stable if you want to work as productive as possible.
How to be Productive and Efficient in a Work from Home Setup
You have enough flexibility to complete your job while working from home. However, if not properly planned, this can easily turn into a missed opportunity. It’s difficult to stay productive while managing the demands of your job and your home in a remote work setup. Here are 4 tips to help you keep organized and manage deadlines while working from home.
1. Wake up at least an hour before working.
You may have flexible work hours when working from home. But getting up early can get in you in the right headspace since you have the chance to “transition” — providing you with more time for yourself. Having more time to sip your coffee while reading through the newspaper or to simply enjoy the silence can help you feel more relaxed as you approach a busy day.
2. Set a schedule.
Maintain regular hours and stick to them. Many workers find that having clear boundaries for when to work and when to call it a day helps them maintain work-life balance. The long-term effect of sticking to a schedule is also helpful in your efficiency at work!
3. Take breaks.
Allow yourself to take a break, especially during your lunch hour or meal break. Setting aside time for breaks and making vacation time a priority can help you avoid burnout, reduce stress, increase creativity, and remain productive. In fact, not taking breaks is one reason behind job dissatisfaction!
4. Use your sick and vacation leaves.
Take time off when you’re sick, or just need to take a break. Taking time off work can be beneficial to your physical and mental health. You’ll be less stressed, have a decreased risk of heart disease, have a better outlook on life, and will be more motivated to achieve your goals.
Enjoy Work-Life Balance at FilWeb Asia
For both businesses and individuals, working from home can be beneficial. Remote work flexibility can cause increased productivity, enhanced work-life balance, and cost savings. FilWeb Asia, Inc. offers flexible work from home jobs to kick-start your career this pandemic. Contact us today!
