By Niamh Sweeney. Source: Workee blog
Given the current health crisis our civilisation stands in solidarity against, 2020 has seen a growing interest surrounding working from home and optimising productivity within the at-home environment. Recent research carried out by Review42 shows that 52% of sedentary global employees work from home at least once a week, if not more, due to the pandemic. This implies that working a sedentary job external to the home is declining in demand and may face extinction. Designing a simple workspace within the home also necessitates understanding that the process requires trial and error, whereby you switch designs around until you allocate one that works for your body and mind. One size does not fit all in terms of a career, nor does it in terms of a workspace. As an online office, we plan to share credited advice surrounding how to design a simple workspace within the home — which will assure comfort psychologically and physically!
Choosing a designated space near a window, with a serene level of noise
Our first piece of advice is to prioritise natural light and natural restoration, if accessible, when designing your home office. According to the 1995 Attention Restoration Theory by Kaplan, attending to nature or engaging with nature can reduce the risk of mental fatigue. Having minimal exposure to a natural environment also boosts our directed attention capacity, which allows us to focus on our work-related tasks harder and for longer durations. If a window is not accessible within proximity to your workspace, we recommend scheduling micro breaks throughout the day that allow you to engage with nature (such as walks, nature documentaries, or simply gazing out a window while contemplating). You could also decorate your workspace with flowers, plants, or pictures of natural scenery.
It also goes without saying that a quiet or meditative space is usually essential for optimised work performance. If lack of background noise is not realistic due to children, housemates or construction, it may prove useful to invest in a budget friendly pair of earphones. When adhering to the Mozart Effect, listening to classical music can also enhance concentration if silence is not an option.
Learn our full article with even more tips at Workee Blog: https://workee.net/blog/how-to-design-a-simple-workspace-within-your-home
