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Many of us have experienced less than perfect working environments, but with work-from-home roles on the rise we can finally take the reins and customise our working space. As employees across the world reap the benefits of ‘home offices’, we decided it was about time to share our top tips for how you too can optimise the space you work in.
It all starts with light
The backbone of one’s general wellbeing is light, and without a good natural source it’s easy to feel run down. Natural light is known to effectively improve health and wellbeing among humans; it stimulates the production of vitamin D, improves bone health, and is a proactive element of good sleep. Studies have shown that a lack of sunlight has a significant impact on our Cortisol levels which can often trigger SAD (seasonal affective disorder), evoking feelings of stress and anxiety during periods of low sunlight exposure. The immediate solution is to set up your working space in an area with a good natural light source such as by a window or near a glass door. If you are more sensitive to light, try setting up in indirect light but make sure that your environment is still well lit throughout.
A little bit of green, a lot less stress
In recent years, designers have been incorporating the colour green into a series of public spaces. From restaurants to libraries, green has been popping up more and more, soothing with its calming tones. According to colour psychology, colour wavelength has a significant impact on our emotions. Those with a longer wavelength such as red can evoke feelings of excitement and warmth, while others with shorter lengths such as green can stimulate a sense of soothing and calmness. So, if you’re not ready for a bold wall colour, one of the best ways of making your workspace greener is by introducing plants. Not only do live plants improve air quality in the home, but they also aid in minimizing stress, staying alert and promoting creativity. Surrounded by plants you will boost your morale while catching a glimpse of that all-important colour green.
Differentiate your downtime
Home-based roles have revolutionised millions of offices, however when working remotely it is vital to exercise a level of self-control. Mental associations can play a big part on our performance, thus separating your work from your downtime can be an great start to optimising your environment. The quality of work is often much lower when in a proximity to a bed, as well as our sleeping schedules falling victim to reduced amounts of melatonin from extensive computer usage. When able to, set up your home office away from the bedroom and you will soon discover the advantages. If you find yourself without an alternative, try to keep distance between the desk and your bed or opt for a physical divide with the use of smart furnishings. Finally, limit the use of electronic devices in/before bed and experience a restful start to your working day.
Calm your senses
Humans have five basic senses: touch, sight, smell, hearing, and taste, each one with an idiosyncratic system that analyses the world around us. Feeding us information about our surroundings, they can often be a catalyst for many behaviours in the workplace.
- To appeal to your sense of touch, choose appropriate and comfortable clothing. Softer, breathable fabrics will make you more comfortable and could aid confidence. Consider upgrading your office chair to better your posture.
- Surround yourself with positive reinforcement and pleasant visuals. Photos, plants and personalised items can help to make one inspired. Try keeping your space tidy, but don’t overdo it, as an empty office can often feel impersonal and cold.
- Many studies have proven that scent has a multitude of effects on the brain. While aromas such as chamomile and lavender can calm an overactive mind, cinnamon and rosemary are known to improve concentration as well as attention.
- While working from home, many of us have experienced auditory distractions. When possible, try minimising outside noise through headphones or soundproofing foam – a fantastic tool that improves any home office. Alternatively, if you struggle with working in silence, consider office-friendly white noise (available through most streaming platforms).
- When on your lunch break, it can be beneficial to choose enriching foods that stimulate your sense of taste. Snacks such as blueberries and green tea are high in antioxidants, while small portions of nuts and seeds can boost Omega 3. Though most importantly, remember to stay hydrated!
With our whole team having always worked from home, we know it can be hard to get the balances right sometimes, if you’d like to chat about your home-working ideas or anything else, please get in touch, we’re always happy to share our experience:
makeithappen.. E: makeithappen@mbsmih.com T: 01903 688789