Some quick fixes to drastically improve your remote working experience
By: Kathleen Sharp
After over a month of mandatory lockdown in Paris and other major cities around the world, businesspeople, students, and entrepreneurs everywhere are still adapting to remote working, or télétravail. Certainly, making the switch from office life to home office affects our comfort and productivity levels. Here are some easy hacks to improve your quarantine worklife.
Adjust your monitor
Working at your desk can be strenuous on the neck if your monitor is positioned too low and causes you to need to tilt your head down to look at your screen. Adjust your monitor height so you can see your screen straight on. If you have a laptop, stack sturdy books under it to bring it to the right height. One caveat is that this will put your keyboard at a bad angle for typing, so you may want to invest in an external keyboard. Your screen should be about an arm’s length away from where you sit. Adjusting your screen brightness to fit the room you’re working in will also prevent your eyes from becoming strained. Backlighting or reflections from windows can majorly affect your comfort.
Use a mouse
If you are working on a laptop, use a mouse and mousepad to keep your fingers from cramping from constant clicking. It’s a simple change that can prevent hand and wrist pain. Plenty of affordable wireless versions are available for sale by online retailers like Amazon or Fnac.
Invest in your eye health
Keep a notepad nearby for whenever inspiration strikes! Image Credit: Unsplash/Lauren Mancke
It may not be an ideal time to visit the optician, but consider calling to ask if your doctor can order you blue light blocking glasses with your prescription. These glasses filter the harsh high-energy blue light emitted from digital screens which tire the eyes. Non-prescription wearers can easily order a pair online. Alternatively, consider switching your screen settings to yellowish “night mode” which will make the screen more yellow, giving you a similar effect. Another simple trick to combat eye fatigue is adopting the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, stare at an object 20 feet away (approx. 6 meters) for 20 seconds.
Light a candle
Harness the powers of aromatherapy by lighting a scented candle or using an essential oil diffuser. Aromatherapists tout cinnamon, mint, citrus fruits, and rosemary as scents that increase productivity. And if you’re having a tough day, woody scents like cedar or pine. It won’t just remind you of the great outdoors you’re missing, they’re said to also reduce stress levels and improve mood. One of my favorites is L’Occitane’s Rameaux d’Hiver candle!
A dreamy desktop complete with an eco-friendly water bottle and friendly houseplants! Image Credit: Unsplash/Domenico Loia
Keep a tidy desk space
This one seems like a no-brainer, but the ideal desk is clutter-free and neatly organized. By taking just five minutes at the beginning or end of each workday to put away unnecessary papers, pens, or objects, you’ll have an easier time staying focused. Besides your computer, a reusable water bottle (hydration!), and a notepad and pen, your desk should be spic and span. This gives room for your elbows as you type and room for heightened concentration! If you’d like, adding a small houseplant to your office space will help with air quality and mood.