PRODUCTIVITY IN THE HOME OFFICE: HOME OFFICE ESSENTIALS WE LOVE

TEXT: NANE STEINHOFF

Since the pandemic, most people will have gotten used to the new normal that is working from home. Although not everybody is a fan of it, setting up a comfortable office space in your own home will not only make the experience more enjoyable, but also more comfortable and productive. And if you still lack productivity, here are our top-five tricks for being more productive in a home office setting.

Take eye breaks

Have you heard of the 20-20-20 rule? As your eyes can become tired when working on your computer for long periods of time, eye experts suggest taking frequent breaks from the screen to avoid headaches and tired eyes. The 20-20-20 rule suggests taking a break of at least 20 seconds, every 20 minutes and to look around 20 feet away.

Work with purpose

This seems like an obvious one but let’s remember that distractions are plentiful when working from home, whether the laundry needs to be done or your dog is overly needy. To have a clear plan, write down a realistic list of tasks that you want to complete every day – and then as you do each of them, enjoy the rewarding feeling as you cross them off the list.

Exercise equipment? Yes, please.

Now that even your journey to work has become a thing of the past, it’s time to grab some exercise equipment and put it in your home office. Resistance bands, light weights or even a small step machine can help you focus during your workday. Simply take a short break, do a bit of exercise and immediately feel refocused and reenergised.

Comfort is key

Get comfortable – in the sense of investing in a high-quality office chair, a good monitor, a comfortable mouse and much more. It’s important to sit in an ergonomically correct position, or you could try out a standing desk instead. An anti-glare screen for your computer can also be a lifesaver.

Declutter often

… and ruthlessly! There’s nothing worse than a cluttered workspace. It’s normal for things to collect on a desk, but it’s important to take a moment regularly to declutter anything that doesn’t serve a purpose. After all, how can you concentrate when you’re surrounded by mess?