For many of us during this time working from home is a new and mostly temporary arrangement.

I have been working from home for a number of years now and have gone through the teething problems of setting up and maintaining a work area.

Here are my main tips that will hopefully help you.

1. Consider your work needs.

You may be fine just setting up a desk in the corner with a computer. However for some it may be clearing out the garage and have space to move around.

So, have a think about what that would look like for you.

2. Designate a specific work zone

Having a specific work zone makes it a lot easier to move from the head space of working and not-working.

In my situation we had to sacrifice our main bedroom to make space for the office and have toilet facilities available.

It may be line on the floor, walking into a room setup specifically for it or anything that makes a distinct separation – cross this line and you are working – go back and you are at home.

Consider what type of environment you operate best in. Do you need total privacy, a little background noise, or easy access to the kitchen for coffee refills?

Eliminate or contain distractions.

3. Work with what you have.

This is not the time to rush out to Ikea and spending the next 2 weeks building and breaking stuff.

Start with what you have. Even if it is a laptop on the dining room table.

Be creative – you may have an old desk under a pile of stuff that can be used, maybe a screen that can act as a wall.

4. Choose a filing method and keep things organised.

Yip – a filing method. Paper and stuff collects and tend to clutter our world.

Having a place to put things, can be as simple as a shoe box, helps with some sort of order.

For many there should be online solutions available for files, but we also need to think of what fills the desks and our work area.

5. Prioritise comfort.

This is a time where you don’t have to wear high heels or work boots to work. So why not get comfortable?

Comfort can include the chair you sit on, what you wear, back ground music, a cup of tea, anything that will reduce you from being distracted and help you enjoy working.

Now here I will add that computer, desk and chair setup will make a big difference in how your body will adapt to the work.

I have already had a few people in the past few weeks complaining of sore backs and necks.

For the time being, during the Corona isolation – I have decided to do a Telehealth workplace assessment free of charge.

So if you have any questions about your desk setup, chair or work area, why not book a 15 min appointment. We can connect via video and I can then see where I can help.

Simply book it online.