Transitioning to working from home can be challenging, especially for mothers. There are a lot of distractions at home, and it can be hard to stay focused on work. In fact, recent reports have shown that 65 percent of working women face significant burnout due to the demands of their job and home life.
But with the right tools, you can set up your home office to be a productive space where you can get your work done efficiently. If you’re a stay-at-home mom looking to start working from home, or you already do yet struggle to find a balance, here are some valuable investments that can make your life a little easier.
A Good Office Chair
One of the essential pieces of furniture in your home office should be a good office chair. You will sit in it for long hours, so a comfortable and supportive chair is essential.
It would be best to look for an ergonomic chair with adjustable height and lumbar support. This feature will help you maintain good working posture and prevent back pain. You can also choose a chair with armrests to avoid strain on your shoulders and neck.
Finding the perfect office chair may take time, but investing in your comfort and health is worth the effort. So, don’t hesitate to shop around and find the chair that’s right for you. It’s crucial to set up a functional and comfortable home office.
Standing Desk
While working from home, it’s advisable to mix up your posture. This part is where a standing desk comes in handy. It’s an ergonomically designed desk that allows you to work while standing.
Using a standing desk has many health benefits, such as improved blood circulation and reduced back pain. Also, it can help increase your productivity since standing up is known to help people focus better.
If you don’t want to splurge on a standing desk, you can always use a stack of books or boxes to raise your laptop to standing height. Ensure your screen is at eye level so you don’t strain your neck.
Either way, remember to take breaks and walk around to avoid stiffness. This way, you can stay active and healthy while working from home.
Noise-Cancelling Headphones
If you have young kids at home, noise-canceling headphones are a must-have for concentration while you’re working. These handy devices will help block distractions and allow you to focus on your work.
Especially if you work in a customer service or telemarketing job, background noise can be detrimental to your productivity. It would help if you had headphones that cancel out all the noise around you so you can deliver quality service to your clients.
When buying noise-canceling headphones, make sure to get a pair that’s comfortable to wear for long periods. You don’t want something that will hurt your ears after a few hours. Also, check the sound quality to ensure you can hear clearly while wearing them. In doing so, you can make the most out of your work time and minimize distractions.
Bright Lighting
Suppose your home office doesn’t have much natural light; in that case, set up some bright lighting so you can see your screen clearly without straining your eyesight. Especially for women, vision issues are much more prevalent than for men.
If you work long hours in front of a computer, getting a good quality light source would be best to protect your eyesight. You can use a combination of desk lamps and overhead lighting to brighten your space. Investing in energy-efficient light bulbs is also a great way to save money in the long run.
When choosing light bulbs, get ones with a high color rendering index (CRI). This feature indicates how well the light bulb can show colors accurately. A higher CRI means better color quality, so it would be best to choose bulbs with a CRI of 80 or higher. Proper lighting prevents eye fatigue, headaches, and other vision-related problems.
Remote Desktop
Being a working mom means you’re not tied to one location. But with the right tools, you can take your work wherever you go and still be productive.
A remote desktop is a software application that lets you access your computer from another device. This way, you can work on your laptop at a coffee shop or use your tablet to check work email while on the go.
Many remote desktop applications are available, one of the most popular being Splashtop. However, several companies offer a cost-effective Splashtop alternative if you’re on a tight budget.
In today’s world, it’s essential to have a flexible work schedule, and a remote desktop can help you achieve that. With this tool, you can take your work wherever and still be productive.
Working from home can be a great way to earn extra income as a stay-at-home mom. But it’s not always easy to find the time or focus to get work done with kids running around. Fortunately, the above helpful tools can make working from home more manageable. So, consider investing in some of these tools to help you be more productive. You’ll be glad you did.
