Setting Up Your Workstation for Success During WFH

By Rehana Paul
In March 2020, those of us in cubicles and corner offices alike traded our workspaces in for a desk at home. Whether you’re lucky enough to have a desk in a quiet office or empty bedroom, or you’re working on the kitchen table, here are some tips to jazz up your workplace, improve productivity, and sneak some zen into your schedule.
​
Bliss Out
Meetings, emails, and projects starting to pile up? Bring some zen to your desk with aromatherapy. Candles are great for adding a relaxing atmosphere, but scent diffusers are a great and even more low-maintenance route. Choose an invigorating, citrus scent in the morning, like orange zest or lemon verbena, and unwind towards the evening with lavender or green tea.

(Image credit: Remy Loz, Unsplash)

Improve Posture
Slumping in the office chair that has been gathering dust in your garage since 1993, and has just been dragged out? Not only are you putting strain on your back and neck, therefore putting yourself at risk for health issues (and being majorly uncomfortable all day), bad posture can also have a negative impact on your productivity. A new chair can feel like a splurge, but considering the myriad health issues you’d be avoiding, it’s well worth the investment to think about upgrading to a more ergonomic model.

Hydrate
Keeping a reusable bottle of water, and refilling it every time you get up, is a great way to meet your hydration goals. If you’re trying to cut back on caffeine, replace the omnipresent cup of coffee with some H2O to sip while you work. It’s also great in meetings, when your throat gets dry from talking. If plain water is too boring - try sparkling!

(Image credit: Lukas Blazek, Unsplash) 

Have a Refresh Station
One of my favorite parts of my workspace is the corner of my desk I call my “refresh station,” where I keep a bottle of hand lotion, lip balm, and a face mist. I keep a heater fan in my office, which gets pretty cold in the winter, and my skin is always drying out from it. A quick application of lip balm can keep them from getting chapped, and rubbing on some hand cream can be a great 30-second relaxation activity. Face mists are a wonderful pick-me-ups in between meetings, for a super quick refresher.

Organize!
A cluttered workspace will only make you feel more cluttered! Consider investing in a desk organizer for your work station. My preference is a large tray you can fit a pen holder and sectional holder in, while also having a place to store your water bottle and candle, and any mail you need to answer.

Above all, remember that WFH is difficult for everyone - but hopefully these tips will make things a little bit easier during these times of remote work!