By Erin McFeeters
Companies across the globe moved to virtual work in 2020 and as the pandemic pushes into 2021, many of them are considering making the shift permanent.
According to Business Insider, Google extended its work-from-home policy until September—employees will then begin working a minimum of three days in the office and the rest from home. Other companies across the globe plan to do the same. Indeed, a job search engine, plans to remain remote until July 2021.
With more varied workweeks predicted for the majority of 2021—check out these tips to refresh your home office or workspace in the new year to stay productive.
Have a Designated Work Space
Not everyone has the luxury to dedicate an entire room to their office, but that doesn’t mean you can’t manage working from home with what you do have. 2020 was the year many new remote workers headed to Pinterest for home office DIYs. Pinners created workspaces in open corners and added a workspace to bedrooms, closets, and more. Any open space or nook can be transformed with a little creativity. The best option to maintain a healthy work-life balance is to have an area you can shut down and put away at the end of the day.
Clear the Clutter
If you struggle to get started working in the morning, clear your desk of knickknacks, electronics, and other distractions. It’s great that you have a fancy charging station on your desk, but with your phone in constant reach, are you staying on top of tasks? Try keeping just your to-do list, computer, and a small lamp on the top of your desk and keep distractions away in your desk drawer or filing cabinet.
Have a Comfortable Desk Chair
Spending eight-plus hours sitting on a kitchen chair is not the best option for your back. Invest in a designated desk chair with lumbar support to keep your body in tip-top shape while working from home. If it’s not in your budget for a brand-new chair, check your town’s yard sale Facebook page or Facebook Marketplace for used ones. You can also find lumbar support pillows or more affordable desk chair options on Amazon. Make sure to take breaks to stretch, get up, and move around.
Make Your Space Zen
There’s something to be said about having a calming workspace. If you have distractions at home, try playing background music or investing in noise-cancelling headphones. Indulge in trying essential oils to calm or energize yourself. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, essential oils can help ease daily symptoms like stress, headaches, and anxiety. You can find essential oil diffusers on Amazon and Walmart at a low-cost. You can also purchase body lotions with essential oils and other aromatherapy accessories like necklaces and bracelets.
Invest in Tech
If you have the space, and money in your budget, consider investing in technology to amp up your remote working game. Items like monitors, Bluetooth keyboards, and a Bluetooth mouse can transform your workflow. Keep your eye on deals from stores like Staples, Office Max, Amazon, and Walmart in the new year. Better yet, ask your company if they have partnerships with technology programs to offer discounts or if they have reimbursement programs for buying technology specific to your office.