While you lose the hectic commutes and nerve building presentations, working from home does not mean we are exempt from feeling stressed. Working from home brings new stresses like communication breakdowns, unwanted interruptions, and internet problems. Working remotely in the comfort of our own home is not quite as relaxing as we imagine it to be.
Whether your workplace has inforced mandatory remote work, you’re familiar with flexible working or you’re a WFH newbie, you’ll find this guide useful, from reducing stress to creating the right working environment, here at Neo Direct, we’re on hand to provide you with everything you need to know.
How to relax at work
Relaxing at work actually begins with how much recovery time we have had in between, whether we’ve had enough time to relax and switch off from work, as well as the amount of sleep we have had the night before are all factors that lead to a more productive, stress-free day at work.
Exercise: Exercise is well known as one of the beneficial activities for helping our mental health and wellbeing. When working from home, or an office, it’s essential you take regular little breaks to move, gentle stretches will keep your body moving. Online yoga classes or guided home workouts are a fantastic alternative to popping your feet up on the sofa after a long day.
Treat yourself: Simple self-care can do wonders, run a hot steamy bath with some essential oils, enjoy a facemask, experiment with a new skincare routine or read a book by an author you love. Focusing on little things can help you remove your mind from the world a little while.
Be creative: Being creative in your leisure time is likely to boost your creativity at work. Rearrange your room, cook something new, have a go at baking a cake, or try out a new hobby. Tasks that challenge our minds can reprieve from the stress of everyday life.
Breathe: Download a meditation or breathing app like Calm or find online resources that guide you through breathing and relaxation techniques.
Communicate: Call a family member or facetime a friend, we promise you’ll get more back than sending an impersonal text.
Eat healthily: Maintain a balanced diet with lots of vitamins, citrus, and fish.
Get some fresh air: Head outside for a walk, a change of scenery and some fresh air can improve your mood significantly.
Switch off before bed: Catch up on a series, read a book, or engage in a hobby rather than using your mobile phone. Our brains will continue to absorb new updates and blue screens disrupt our ability to fall asleep naturally.
Make weekend plans: Having activities to look forward to can be uplifting and a great way to stay motivated throughout the week.
Create the right environment
Simply having a desk and a laptop won’t quite cut it when creating an efficient working environment at home. Whether you have a home office or simply working from the living room or kitchen table, having a well planned working from home area can help you get motivated, even on those days where you are feeling sluggish.
You need to have a light and bright area to work in, a dull or dark room is likely to make you feel sleepy and is counterproductive. Adjust your desk or table so it is situated near a window if possible, as the daily natural light is likely to lift your mood and make you feel closer to the outside world. It’s important you keep cool so you can remain calm in your working environment, our free-standing fans, here at Neo Direct, are perfect for placing on your desk supplying you with a constant breeze to keep you refreshed throughout the day.
Bright and vibrant colours can boost our mood; green, blue, orange, and yellow are said to be stimulants that encourage positive feelings. Why not add flowers, a plant, or a coloured desk lamp. You could even try some patterned stationery or add some personal artwork to your wall. The more we like the appearance of our space, the more inclined we are to use it.
If you’re wanting a productive day, free your space from clutter. A clean and clear workspace is essential for clearing your head and avoiding distractions.
Sitting for long hours can lead to back pain and musculoskeletal problems therefore it’s essential to have an office chair that will give you the right support and help you sit in an ergonomic position.
How to make an office chair more comfortable
If you spend a lot of time at an office work station or you’re working from home for an extended period of time you should have a chair that is ergonomic and comfortable enough to withstand hours of sitting. This means you shouldn’t be experiencing any back pain at all. Here are some tips on reducing strain and making your office chair as comfortable as possible.
- Change your sitting posture
Bad sitting posture can have a negative impact on your back. Sit straight with your feet on the floor.
- Adjust the chair
It’s recommended that you adjust the seat, height, back and arms every other day to suit you. Daily usage knocks the adjustment so it’s essential to keep tweaking.
- Back support
You can add lumbar support for your office chair, it is designed to support the curvature of your back while you’re sitting in a chair. Here at Neo Direct, we have office chairs with built-in lumbar support.
- A footrest
Your feet should not be hanging when you’re sitting working at your computer. Your feet should follow a proper posture, a footrest can help keep your back aligned and maintain circulation.
- Adjustable arms
If your shoulder muscles are tight you may find that the arms of your chair need to be adjusted. Arms will support your arms so they aren’t stiff.
- Wheels
Office chairs with wheels make it easier for you to move around the office room so you don’t strain or overstretch.
What is the best chair for computer work?
For those who spend a lot of time completing computer work, a chair isn’t a luxury it is a necessity. The right chair is essential for both your mental and physical health. Work can be stressful enough without having to deal with back or neck strain.
When you’re looking for the best office chair, back support is crucial, as is a seat that’s wide enough and long enough to support you adequately. Gas suspension makes adjustments easier, and office chairs that offer variable resistance make a versatile choice, you can make them stiffer for computer work, yet recline them for reading.
Our executive recliner swivel faux leather office chair is double-padded for extra comfort with a heavy-duty coating for durability. It’s reclining function with spring tilt control makes for easy adjustments while pneumatic adjustable height and 360-degree swivel are great for accessibility.
What is the best office chair for lower back pain?
A quality office chair for lower back pain should feature lumbar support, as well as some cushion or contour that will assist you to sit up straight and alleviate pressure on your lower back.
It’s essential to find an office chair that offers adjustable features like chair height, back support angle, and armrests. It’s also important to consider the chair’s material, you’ll find that high-quality office chairs, like our PU leather racing car and gaming office chair with lumbar support, offer a cushioned or mesh back, but the actual seat cushion and headrest offer enough support to promote proper posture.
Our office chairs are available with adjustable heights, backrests to suit the natural curvature of your spine, appropriate seat depth, and comfortable armrests to ensure all-round comfort and ease of use. 360 swivel chairs mean you can reach all areas of your desk without any strain, while lumbar support reduces the risk of pain. Comfort and style go hand in hand here at Neo Direct, whatever your interior tastes, there’s a design to suit you.
How often should you take a break from the computer?
The HSE (Health and Safety Executive – Government agency) suggests that short, more frequent breaks are better than less frequent longer breaks. So we would say a 5-10 minute break after 50-60 minutes is better than a 20-minute break every 3 hours.
Get up and have a walk around when you take these breaks. When you’re having lunch, ensure you take it away from your screen or even in a different room.
How does deep breathing reduce stress?
Deep breathing for 20 to 30 minutes per day will reduce stress and anxiety. It increased the supply of oxygen in your brain which stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system which in turn provides you with a sense of relaxation and calmness. Abdominal breathing is likely to bring free your head and quieten the mind. As aforementioned, there are some amazing free resources and apps online that can guide you through how to complete the activity properly.
How can I feel more relaxed working from home?
Creating the right environment is paramount to a healthy working from home. A dedicated workspace where you can concentrate can vastly improve your productivity.
There’s never a bad day at the office with our range of office chairs. Our office chairs provide extra comfort, support, and are available in a vast array of styles. Whether you’re looking for a faux leather office chair as a sophisticated addition for your home or a racing office chair to provide you with long-lasting cushioning at the office, you’ll find the perfect partnership here. You’ll even find a number of massage function office chairs to massage your back, lumbar and thighs to relax you through a long day at the office, whether that’s at work or at home.
Here at Neo Direct, we have a whole host of chairs to improve the comfort and aesthetics of your home. Discover a range of bar stools and dining room chairs here today.