With the rise of remote work, it’s more important than ever to create a productive home office space that helps you stay focused and efficient. While many people know the basics of setting up a home office, such as choosing a comfortable chair and keeping your desk organized, I wanted to cover some not so common tips that can help take your productivity to the next level.
- Use a color filter to reduce eye strain
Staring at a computer screen for hours can cause eye strain and headaches, but there’s a lesser-known solution that can help. You can use a color filter on your computer screen to reduce blue light, which is known to disrupt sleep and cause eye strain. Many computer operating systems have built-in color filters, or you can download software that provides customizable filters.
Product recommendation: Iris is a software that allows you to adjust the color temperature and brightness of your screen. It also has a timer feature that reminds you to take breaks and helps prevent eye strain.
- Invest in noise-cancelling headphones
Even if you have a quiet home office space, there can still be distracting noises such as barking dogs, loud neighbors, or construction outside. Investing in noise-cancelling headphones can help you tune out these distractions and focus on your work. They’re also great for participating in virtual meetings and video calls without being interrupted by background noise.
Product recommendation: The Sony WH-1000XM4 noise-cancelling headphones are highly rated and provide excellent noise-cancelling capabilities. They also have touch controls, a long battery life, and high-quality sound.
- Use scent to boost productivity
Certain scents can help improve focus, reduce stress, and boost productivity. Peppermint, for example, is known to increase alertness and cognitive performance, while lavender can reduce stress and anxiety. You can use essential oils, scented candles, or air fresheners to introduce these scents into your home office space.
Product recommendation: The InnoGear Essential Oil Diffuser is a compact and affordable way to introduce scent into your home office space. It also doubles as a humidifier and has a color-changing LED light.
- Experiment with unconventional seating options
While a comfortable office chair is important, there are other seating options that can help improve your posture and reduce back pain. A balance ball chair, for example, can help strengthen your core muscles and improve your balance. A kneeling chair can help improve posture and reduce pressure on the lower back. Experiment with different seating options to find what works best for you.
Product recommendation: The Gaiam Balance Ball Chair is a popular option that provides the benefits of a balance ball with the support of a chair. It has a removable ball and comes in a variety of colors.
The Productivity Boost 