_1589183046906_1589183047075.jpg "An incorrect setup can make life harder, reduce your productivity, and impact your physical as well as mental well-being. (Getty)")
PremiumAs the workforce adapts to new ways of working, it becomes extremely important to set up the right kind of environment to enhance productivity. What was earlier the responsibility of your HR at your office is now your responsibility!
You are probably working from home, right at this very moment. And after the initial struggles of setting everything up and getting used to working in your pajamas, you have probably started to enjoy it too! If not, then you better start enjoying it, because as reports suggest work from home is here to stay.
In fact, for many office-goers remote work is the ultimate perk. Research shows that people want the flexibility of work-from-home more than they want a company-sponsored meal every day, or extended vacation time. Leaders are taking note and more than 70% of CFOs expect to move previously on-site employees to remote work conditions post COVID-19.
As the workforce adapts to new ways of working, it becomes extremely important to set up the right kind of environment to enhance productivity. What was earlier the responsibility of your HR at your office is now your responsibility. An incorrect setup can make life harder, reduce your productivity, and impact your physical as well as mental well-being.
So, here are some quick tips to help you become a work-from-home pro!
1. Declutter: Make-shift tables are the trend of the season, with dining tables to study tables being converted into work desks. A lot of times, therefore, the workspace is cluttered with common household items – from kid’s toy cars, or unused stacks of pens or newspapers lying around. It’s extremely important to set-up a dedicated, neat and clean spot for yourself to get you in the mood for work. Clear up your space, add a nice house-plant somewhere around, set-up some good ambient music (if you’re not distracted by it), and voila! You’ll soon be in the zone. To gain extra workspace on the move, add a portable display to your desk. Lenovo ThinkVision M14 is an effective and convenient option that can extend your laptop screen. You can easily place it on a coffee table or a work desk!
2. Ergonomics: Another issue which comes along with make-shift tables is that often they don’t provide the same natural angle that is needed for the eyes to look at the screens without straining your neck muscles. Ensure you ergonomically angle your laptop or use a stand to raise the height of the screen whenever required. Neither should you be craning your neck forward nor should you have to tilt it backwards. For detailed work, use a large external display with high specs. Lenovo ThinkVision L27q QHD will help you work faster than on a smaller display. “To find the right position, sit back with you chair slightly reclined and hold your right arm out horizontally – your middle finger should almost touch the center of the screen."- says Alan Hedge, PhD.
3. Accessorize wisely: Extension accessories can work wonders for convenience and comfort. You might want to consider external keyboards and external mouse so that you’re not constrained by the limitations of attached/wired input devices. To maintain concentration and help others do so, consider a mouse with silent clicking function like the Lenovo ThinkBook Silent Mouse or ThinkPad X1 Mouse. Other accessories to consider are portable screens for those frequently changing their workspace, and large external display for those working on small details (such as graphic designers and animators). For those working on multiple data points or tabs at the same time, multiple monitors could be the way to go. Research shows using multiple monitors can improve productivity by up to 42%.
4. Be easy on your eyes: Admit it. You are either in front of your laptop, or staring at your mobile screens or in front of your TV screens more than 80% of your waking time. Screens which emit blue light frequencies can be damaging for health in the long term. This not only causes eye strain but also insomnia. Ensure to adjust the blue-light settings of your PC. For Example, most Lenovo devices include Lenovo Vantage settings that include an Eye Care Mode to reduce blue-light emissions. ThinkVision S28u-10 monitor goes a step further with anti-glare panel and Eye Comfort & Low Blue Light certifications.
5. Know when to unplug: One could easily lose track of time while working long hours, day and night, especially when there is no set schedule. Ensure you take proper lunch breaks, and disconnect from work every once-in-a-while. Taking a break is essential to avoid burnout and to remain at your productive best.
Work-from-home brings along a number of lifestyle benefits but you can enjoy them only if you ensure that you will take care of your well-being while working with tools which help you work smarter, faster and better.
