Coronavirus has forced the world into social distancing. Around the globe, employees are transitioning to remote work. While some people enjoy working from home in their living room, it's not for everyone. Many people are finding themselves distracted and unproductive.
While your living room is typically space where you can wind down at the end of a long day, now it's your office. While you might have to deal with some foot traffic from your roommates and kids, you can make it a calm space for getting stuff done.
Your environment can have a surprising impact on your productivity. In this article, we'll cover a few tips for setting up your space in a way that'll foster creativity and focus.
Want more information on how to keep your mind and body healthy during Quarantine? Check out the ultimate list HERE.
Locate the Green
If your living room has a window, set your desk up against it, facing out. Many studies show that viewing green spaces can improve mood, focus, and efficiency. Taking time to lift your head and look out at trees and nature will also help you combat cabin fever.
The view doesn't have to be pristine rolling green hills. The natural light will boost your mood even if you're looking out to an empty street or vacant lot.
Cornell's Daylight and Workplace Study found that workers who are seated by a window with natural light reported an 84% drop in eyestrain, blurred vision, and headaches. The study also concluded that workers noticed a boost in productivity and a decrease in drowsiness.
You might have to move around some furniture to have the perfectly placed home-office in your living room. When you're looking for the sweet spot, always locate the sunlight.
A Makeshift Ergonomic Set Up
Ergonomics is the scientific study concerned with understanding how humans interact with the other elements of a system. The applied practice is meant to help design offices to optimize human well-being and performance.
When you're putting together a living room workspace, you want to reduce the chance of sprain and strain injuries. Believe it or not, sitting on your couch working isn't the best for your productivity.
Try to put together a makeshift ergonomic office where you feel comfortable, and you'll have more energy.
Avoid Clutter
According to Harvard Business Review, cluttered spaces can have adverse effects on anxiety, stress, and your ability to focus. For many families, the living room is a space for your kids to pile up their toys. It's often a room full of trinkets and memorabilia. If you want to zone into your job, try to keep this space as organized as possible.
The best way to set up your living room to make it productive is to keep it tidy. Even if you think that it's not having an impact on your focus, it likely is. You'll be surprised how much easier it is to pay attention to details when you're not distracted by small areas of clutter.
Trips To The Kitchen
As in your real office, you will be getting some exercise during your workday with trips to the kitchen and bathroom. Make sure to put away any sugary snacks out of eyesight, in order not to binge on excess food that you have lying around. Use the pause to actually prepare a quick meal as it will give you a breather from hard work and will boost your creativity.
And for best productivity, treat yourself with some good coffee. To avoid going to the store by going to Coffee or Bust instead where you can find your perfect version of a hot cup of focus and productivity.
Use Your Tv As A Monitor
If you usually work in an office, the transition to working full time on your laptop is tough. Your position is altered, and there will be more strain on your neck and your eyes. If you don't have a desktop or a monitor, use your TV as one.
You'll streamline productivity when you have multiple displays. Another plus side of using your TV is that you'll be occupying it. You won't have to worry about kids blaring cartoons while you're trying to finish up that big project or being distracted by the latest series yourself!
A Final Note
In this time of social isolation, it's essential to have a clear place to work. We continuously feel bad about having a hard time working. Still, we don't take a moment to look around at our current situation. Your living room can be a perfect home office, so long as you take the time to optimize your environment.
Meet the Author
Ashley Lipman is an award-winning writer who discovered her passion for providing knowledge to readers worldwide on topics closest to her heart - all things digital. Since her first high school award in Creative Writing, she continues to deliver awesome content through various niches touching the digital sphere.
