While many of us may find the harsh winter months somewhat difficult to deal with, we can’t deny that working from home has been quite enjoyable in some respects during this cold season. Warm cups of coffee, sweaters, being able to cuddle your kids a little between projects, all of this can help us feel cozy and relaxed, the only battle we’re left to face is not falling asleep on the sofa as we’re trying to be productive.
However, while it does seem that the world is slowly trying to return to normal, none of us can be absolutely certain that the upcoming summer will lead us straight back to our offices. Some employers are calling employees back into the office while others are still opting for telecommuting. Preparing our homes to make sure they are conducive to a comfortable working environment in the midst of summer can be important, not only for our productivity but for our health.
Let’s get started, then:
Do Your Best To Separate Work & Family Matters
As working moms, we need to orient our working lives around caring for our children. Enlisting help from our husbands, friends and relatives can be key in this regard, but if they work too, sharing the load is important. Giving your family some space from your working environment and setting a schedule regarding the hours you’re free can be very helpful.
Separating your workspace from your living areas can also prevent you from being ‘on top’ of one another during the day, which helps you think more clearly. Remember though, there’s no such thing as a perfect balance, so don’t chastise yourself if you struggle to define this line so easily. Meal prepping on a Sunday, for instance, can prevent you from having to waste time crafting lunches from scratch during the week.
Make Sure Your Air Conditioning Is Functional
It’s important to have room to think when working from home, but that’s hard to do when you’re oppressed by heavy temperatures and the humidity is clouding your mind. For this reason, making sure your air conditioning unit is fully serviced well in advance, and that you hold the contact information for 24 hour AC repair services as appropriate can help you avoid having to sweat through a difficult summer’s day. It can also make sure that many areas of your home are pleasant to work in.
Change Out Your Chair
Many of us have office furniture in our homes, be that a standing desk or a chair. It’s worth considering how ergonomic this is, but also how conducive to different temperature states it may be. For instance, a mesh-backed chair can help you ensure your back is ventilated and that when you feel hot, you don’t have restrictive PU leather burning the back of your legs or your back itself. Furthermore, it’s more hygienic to have an open back environment, a place where your lumbar can be supported without having to overheat your body itself. In that light, you can feel much more supported.
Get Fresh Air
When you can step away from the computer, get some fresh air. Take a ten minute walk around the neighborhood, have tea on the porch or just sit on a blanket in the backyard. A little Vitamin D can brighten your day and give you the boost you need to be attentive in that next Zoom meeting.
Take Your Vacation
The average American has vacations days that they simply lose out on each year or store away. Summer is for fun! Don’t skip out on your vacation this summer. Find safe ways to hit the beach our maybe even rent a cabin for some time away. So much has changed for us all in the past year, make some happy memories that you and your family will remember.
With this advice, we hope you can more readily prepare your home working environment for the depths of summer.
