According to a study conducted by Global Workplace Analytics, 50% of the United States workforce holds a job that is able to be done from home, at least partially. 80% to 90% of the workforce says they are willing to work remotely. More and more companies are becoming more flexible and more and more people are working from home. One in five American’s are now working from home on a regular basis. The Upper Valley is no exception. Working from home definitely has plenty of benefits, it also comes with some disadvantages that can really cause you some pain. You'll definitely want to avoid these mistakes when working from home.
Working from the Couch or from Your Bed
You should really make a designated office space. It’s important to get your mind into work mode. The better we define rooms and their purposes, the more productive they become. You are more likely to stay on task and get your work done in a room with no distractions and the tools you need to succeed, rather than a room where you spend your Sunday’s binge watching your favorite show.
Using a Terrible Chair
Many sofas and couches are low and deep, creating a c-shaped spine. This puts stress on several parts of your body which can lead to serious injury if not fixed. Keep your spine in line with a good office chair. There are six things you will want to consider when buying an office chair.
- Height — whether it’s adjustable or not, you will want to make sure the chair sits at the proper height for the desk or table you are using. A good rule of thumb is to position the seat so your feet remain flat on the floor and your arms are within easy reach of your desk. Your knees should be at 90 degrees and your thighs should be parallel to the ground.
- Seat Depth — you'd be surprised how often a chair doesn’t fit your body. Keep your feet firmly on the floor, the backs of your knees should be about three inches away from the seat.
- Reclining Seat — experts recommend a seat that reclines at a 135-degree angle, give or take.
- Wheels — this is really personal preference, and really comes down to the type of floor. You want something that you won’t have to continually adjust back to its place throughout the day.
- Armrests — armrests should allow you to rest your arms comfortably without effort and without placing stress on your joints.
- Lumbar Support — find a chair that offers a firm, adjustable support for your lower back.
Working in the Dark
Home offices tend to lack proper lighting in order to make you truly productive. Improper lighting can lead to sleepiness, squinting, or hunching. Supplement the lighting you have in your office space with task lighting to make sure everything is well lit. Home workers need at least 50 watts of halogen light on their workspace or 5-10 watts of LED. Dimmer switches can also help, you will want to be able to adjust lighting based on the natural light outside as well as your mood.