While CEOs and managers are still trying to make office life attractive, many employees feel they have seen the light. If there was one positive thing that the COVID-19 pandemic gave us, it was the boom of remote work. In 2019, a mere 5.7% of U.S. employees worked remotely. Within two years, however, the numbers rose to 17.9%.

Some argue that you miss out on the interaction with colleagues with remote work, but people don’t seem to mind. The control that you regain over your life simply feels too cathartic to give up.

If you have landed a work-from-home position, congratulations! Perhaps you are thinking of ordering office supplies for your home office and wondering how to set things up.

Not to worry. In this article, we will discuss three essential elements for a great WFH experience.

1. Focus on Natural Lighting and Fresh Air

Numerous studies have shown that the lighting and ambiance around us can affect productivity and focus. An interesting article in Harvard Business Review discusses a study that looked at factors contributing to health and workplace environment.

According to Jeanne Meister, founding partner of Future Workplace, natural light and air quality are “invisible factors” that affect productivity. This is an important reminder to open your windows and let fresh air and sunlight inside when you work.

Good lighting is also going to be critical for virtual meetings. If the natural lighting isn’t cutting it, there are tons of LED options you can choose online. Having a clean and well-lit room seems simple, but it creates a great impression when people speak to you virtually.

2. Don’t Forget About Security

Just because you happen to work at home, it doesn’t mean that you stop caring about security. Companies these days take info-sec very seriously. Many places often have strict guidelines about the manner in which you store or access official data.

Depending on your line of work and position, you may even be entrusted with confidential material. This can include financial records, proprietary company information, or sensitive client data. While adequate cybersecurity protocols should address any safety concerns, you will still want friends or family to respect your privacy.  

Many security firms recognize this growing need and are starting to offer access control systems for residential homes. They ensure that you, and only you, are authorized to enter and exit your workspace. These systems often rely on biometric data such as fingerprints, iris scans, or key passes to grant access.

In this regard, investing in quality components will be important. When it comes to modern security and access control, electric strike devices are key.

There are some components that you don’t want to cheap out on. According to The Flying Locksmiths, electric strike devices are a critical component of most access control systems. Depending on your needs, it can be worth investing in quality smart locks and access control devices.

3. Invest in Ergonomics

If you are going to be working from home, you are probably going to be sitting for long hours. Most people remind themselves to get up and move about, but you will still be sedentary for the most part. Several studies have shown that poor sitting posture often leads to excruciating back pain later on.

Slouching or hunching forward causes your spine to take on unnatural curves. This ends up putting pressure on your intervertebral discs. Often, this pressure causes nerve compression, which leads to severe lower back pain and sciatica.

Ditch the comfy sofa that you might have thought about using as your primary seat. Instead, invest in furniture that encourages good posture.

The first thing you want to get is an ergonomic chair. Pick one that allows your feet to rest flat on the floor. Also, look for sufficient lumbar support, adjustable seats, and armrests. Similarly, your desk should provide you with ample workspace. You don’t want your monitor to be right up in your face. You can easily find adjustable monitor mounts that are affordable and simple to install.

Finally, get an ergonomic mouse and keyboard. If your job is going to involve a lot of typing, a mechanical keyboard will be a great investment.

Conclusion

Working from home doesn’t look like it’s going away anytime soon. No matter how much toxic office managers complain, the fact is, productivity hasn’t taken a hit as they predicted. On the contrary, reports have shown that productivity has increased.

People are finding it increasingly easy to maintain the much-advised work-life balance that felt impossible to achieve in offices. Regardless of how you feel about WFH, try to make the best of your newfound freedom.