There’s more to remote work than just not wearing pants to the office. A truly effective work station, wherever it’s located, requires planning and consideration. In addition to the obvious organizational requirements (do you have enough chargers?) — Here are six tips to help you build a workspace that will maintain your health, focus and, especially, your 12-second commute. Regrettably, it’s slightly more complicated than putting your feet up on the coffee table while your favorite game show plays in the background. (Pants remain optional). 

 

It’s like your parents and teachers always told you: sit up straight. Bad posture can strain your neck and back, leading to headaches and other chronic issues. So when you set up your home office, make sure it includes an ergonomic chair designed for lumbar support. It won’t only help your body, but it will boost your productivity (by close to 20%, according to some studies). And don’t stop with the chair either. Look for the right keyboard and mouse. Just because you aren’t working at a traditional office doesn’t mean Carpal Tunnel Syndrome won’t follow you home.

BRING THE MUSIC

Bluetooth speakers and wireless headphones may not be welcome in most offices, but that doesn’t mean you should avoid cranking music at home. In fact, studies have shown people who worked while listening to music were more productive than workers who toiled away in silence. The genre of music is a personal choice, of course, but studies have revealed that classical music, ambient soundtracks and nature music are the most beneficial.

REMEMBER TO STRETCH

One of the downsides of remote work is that, with no one to talk to, there’s not much reason to get up and move around. On the flip side, there’s also no one to watch you pose like a tree on your yoga mat. Another good thing about working remotely: if you want to attempt some yoga, there are video tutorials online you can watch and learn from – in complete privacy.

EMBRACE THE DESK

Whether you’re at home or in a traditional office, you will be sitting at your desk for several hours every day. The difference is: you can choose your desk at home. Beware of too much clutter and keep it clean, but otherwise, find a desk you adore and personalize it with prized possessions, professional accolades and items with sentimental value. For a time, standing desks were hyped as a healthy alternative to sitting all day, but more recent studies have suggested extended periods of standing can create their own health (and productivity) issues.

BOOST YOUR POWER

If life is too short to wait for your decade-old computer to boot up, so is your workday. There is nothing like upgrading your Mac or PC to current specs to make you feel like a high-powered professional. Of course, whatever top-of-the-line machine you choose should suit your daily tasks, whether you’re coding or editing video. And while you are focusing on horsepower, don’t forget to treat yourself with a monitor to match. Your eyes will thank you for it.

GO GREEN

If you’re reluctant to add plants to your work environment because they require too much care, give a low-maintenance succulent, cactus or fig tree a chance. If they survive, you can branch out from there. The benefits of greening your home (office or otherwise) are well-documented: they naturally cleanse the air, relieve stress and even boost productivity.