How to Create an Ideal Remote Working Environment in 2023

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Working from home is a beautiful opportunity. It eliminates the need for commuting and allows you to customise your schedule. However, as mentioned in my previous blog post addressing the pros and cons of remote work, it also has its drawbacks, including burnout, difficulty maintaining a work-life balance by losing boundaries, loneliness, and losing productivity. Moreover, remote work can negatively impact physical health. 

So, how can we create an ideal remote work environment? There are several ways to ensure a healthy and sustainable remote work experience. Let’s explore them together, shall we?

Why Remote Working Environment is Important?

Creating a dedicated remote working environment is essential for maintaining a sustainable and supportive workspace. Failing to do so can have negative impacts on our bodies. Before exploring how to create an ideal remote working space, it’s essential to identify these harmful effects.

Negative impact on physical health

The article published on HSS has highlighted research indicating that people working fully from home experiencing more aches and pains is a likely outcome of less movement and sitting in ergonomically unfavorable situations, particularly neck and back pain. When you have stronger muscles, your body and joints experience less discomfort. Conversely, decreased activity results in muscle loss, leading to increased weakness and more significant pain. 

Negative impact on mental health

The studies also show that the impact of remote working on mental health varies, depending on how much your working environment and colleagues influence you and the nature of your work or overall job satisfaction. Although the direct impact of remote working on mental health is limited, not having a dedicated workspace can influence overall performance and job satisfaction. Not having a dedicated workspace and facing distractions while working remotely can adversely affect your performance. This could lead to underperformance, which your employer may not accept, and affect your confidence.

3 Tips on How to Create an Ideal Remote Working Environment to Benefit Your Health

Now, we have identified the negative impacts of remote working when you don’t create a suitable remote working environment, which is why you must create an ideal remote working environment. Accordingly, creating the best remote working environment that benefits your health should involve a combination of organizational, technological, and personal strategies. 

1. Make a dedicated home office to create an ideal remote working environment

A designated home office is essential to stay focused and productive while working from home. This dedicated area should be comfortable and free from distractions. By having a separate workspace, you can maintain a healthy work-life balance and avoid overworking. It’s essential to treat your workspace like a regular office, using it only during working hours. When you finish work, leave the workspace behind and focus on your personal life. Creating a clear boundary between work and home life can help you maintain productivity and stay refreshed. 

Note for working moms:

If you have a playroom for your kid but don’t have a dedicated space for your work when you are working from home, you need to shake things up. It concerns your work-life balance. You may give up on the playroom, but you shouldn’t give up on your home office!

2. Facilitate your home office with reliable technology, equipment, and office furniture

Having reliable technology equipment and office furniture is essential to achieve high productivity while working remotely in your home office. It is equally important to ensure that your home office is comfortable and functional to meet your needs. Therefore, your home office should replace your regular work office and support your remote work sustainably and healthily. 

Lack of technical equipment is a significant obstacle to working from home, according to research published in the National Library of Medicine. As a professional, it is crucial for your performance and overall well-being. Accordingly, the home office should have a reliable internet connection, a comfortable office chair, a spacious desk, a laptop stand, and an adjustable monitor. Adjustable chairs and desks are crucial for preventing physical strain and maintaining good posture. A keyboard and mouse with a wrist cushion are essential to protect your wrist from over-tiring. 

Customize your home office to create an ideal remote working environment

If your company allows for remote work, your company may provide you with a specific budget to buy your office equipment and furniture or supply what you need directly from the company. If not, investing in essential items for your home office most efficiently and cost-effectively is crucial. Here are some suggestions and recommendations you can consider purchasing to complete your home office. Accordingly, the list below will support both your physical and mental health. Remember, a well-designed office can help refresh your mind and motivate you. By having a supportive system that allows you to adjust your posture throughout the workday, you can maintain a positive mindset and focus on your tasks.

Office chair:

If you want a decent home office chair under $400 on Amazon, HON Ignition 2.0 Ergonomic Office Chair. This particular chair has been deemed the best inexpensive office chair by the New York Times. It possesses all the standard adjustments one would expect a chair to have, such as seat depth, tilt tension, lock, seat height, and arm height. It’s designed for long-term use, with the capacity for adjustable lumbar support (select the model that includes this option). However, shorter-than-average individuals may need help keeping their feet flat on the floor since this chair has a minimum seat height of 17 inches. Getting a footrest may benefit those who still wish to purchase this chair.

Office desk: 

For less than $200 on Amazon, you can furnish your office with an electronic height-adjustable desk that enables you to sit or stand as required. Monomi Electric Standing Desk is a popular choice among remote workers and is budget-friendly. However, it has one drawback: the desk’s edges are not rounded. So you may consider other options if that concerns you.

Wrist support for the mouse pad and keyboard: 

I have been experiencing persistent wrist pain from spending long hours typing on my keyboard and using the mouse. After researching, I purchased Gimars Upgrade Enlarge Silky and Superfine Fabric Gel Memory Foam Keyboard Wrist Rest Set for under $11 on Amazon. Initially, it was a bit expensive, but the cushion provided excellent support without being too rigid, making it quite comfortable to use. Since using this wrist support, my wrist pain has significantly reduced. Suppose you’re also experiencing wrist pain or spend extended periods using a keyboard and mouse. I highly recommend investing in wrist support to prevent pain in the future.

Laptop stand: 

3. Make your home office an inviting and enjoyable space to create an ideal remote working environment

Your home office will be more enjoyable if you decorate and customize your home office just the way you like. For example, your bedroom provides a sense of security and comfort when you enter it, and your personal space is filled with pictures, pillows, and bedding that suit your preferences. Similarly, your home office should be personalized to create a comfortable and supportive environment where you can spend much of your day. You will likely enjoy working from home by making your office comfortable and inviting.

Decorate your workspace with your favorite photos, plants, and other items that speak to you. In addition, try to find a location in your home office with a window to allow natural light and add your favorite scent to the room. One of the best things about having a home office is that you can decorate it according to your liking and add your favorite scent to create an environment that’s perfect for you.

Tips for working moms:

If you don’t need complete isolation while working, consider making your home office comfortable and child-friendly. Kids often want to look at their parents’ actions, learn from them, and imitate them. Suppose you put a child-sized desk and chair in your home office, along with a bookshelf. Your children might come and sit quietly while you work, reading or mimicking your work. You should also establish a rule and tell your children when to enter your workspace. Hence, they know you’re not in your home office for fun but to fulfill your professional responsibilities.

Additionally, ensure that your home office is safe for children. As curious as they are, children are naturally inclined to touch, grab, and explore everything in the office. To be able to concentrate on your work while your children are around, the least you can do is remove any hazards from the home office. So you don’t have to worry about their safety.

Final Thoughts on Creating an Ideal Remote Working Environment

When the pandemic hit, I began remote working without a proper home office. My husband and I set up temporary workstations in the dining room, assuming it would be a short-term arrangement. Fast forward a few years and remote or hybrid working has become the new normal. Throughout this time, we’ve learned to prioritize setting boundaries between our work and personal lives while at home. It’s also become apparent that a comfortable and ergonomic work environment is crucial for our productivity and overall well-being. Creating an ideal remote working environment has truly made a difference in our day-to-day lives. We no longer work excessively long hours or feel drained from trying to balance personal and professional responsibilities. As remote work continues to be an integral part of our lives, it’s crucial that we establish a sustainable environment for ourselves.

I hope this article provides helpful insights on creating your ideal home working environment.

If you’ve already done so, please share your tips and stories. Stay tuned for upcoming articles on work-life balance, mindfulness, and working mom tips.