6 Little Known Space Design Hacks that will make you more productive in quarantine- Part 1
Are you working from home during quarantine? Do you feel
unproductive or lazy? Do you feel you just get sleepy for no reason?
During this pandemic, we are all feeling a bit down, moody and stressed. Our bodies are constantly asking for rest. So how can we work during this phase? And how are we supposed to be productive?
Guess what? I am here to help! Let me tell you something you don’t know, design and everything in the space you are sitting in can influence you either negatively or positively. I know this sounds strange but yes, even the simple accessories and the way you place them affect you, your behavior and your decisions.
Ok Joy great! So how is this related to work and
productivity? Now here is the interesting part, let me show you how you can redesign
the space you are sitting in now to change the way you feel and work. Consider
the below as a checklist and as you read it I want you to look around you and
work with what you have. Let us redesign your space together. Let us start!💃
Okay, so I promise I won’t talk any more just three side notes before we start:
One: Everything presented below is based on research and studies made (and not by me)
Two: I know not every one of you has his/ her own office at home, so consider this blog for you even if you are working from the bedroom or sitting on the dining table chair!
Three: This blog subject will be divided into two parts and consider this as the first one!😀
1. Create a Mini Inspiration Board
STOP STARING AT THE BLANK WALL! Yes, you heard me! Between us, how many times did you find yourself daydreaming and looking at that blank wall in front of you and suddenly thought to yourself: what am I doing here? What am I supposed to do? What is this job? And the negative thoughts start running through your head till you feel that you are not in the mood to work AT ALL anymore. Well, you are not alone. So let us fix this. I want you to do a mini inspiration board. And no this is NOT A GIRL THING. Believe me, this works. Place everything that inspires you to work, whether it is travel plans or pictures of you and your loved ones or goals, anything! This way every time you decide to get distracted you will remember why you are still working and you get energized again! Let us trick your mind to work!
2. Color
Color is everything! It is the number one thing that affects you directly. Let us be clear before I start, I’m not telling you to paint your house’s walls! Well, you can do that if you want to, just saying! But what I mean by color, if you can’t really paint the walls, use objects, accessories or anything else.
3. Fresh Air
4. Lighting
5. Layout and position
6. Blanket and a coffee pot
FINALLY, JOY THANK YOU! Yes, I know a perfect combination! All I am asking you to do is to move that comfortable couch near your work area and in the middle of the day take a 20 minutes power nap and then pour yourself a cup of coffee. Your body will need it and your brain will definitely love you for the break and will make it up to you as soon as you sit back in your chair.
Now you know why I decided to do a part two and I promise it will be even more interesting than part 1! See you then!
If you love this post please feel free to share it with your friends!
Note that I don't take credit for any picture in this post!
During this pandemic, we are all feeling a bit down, moody and stressed. Our bodies are constantly asking for rest. So how can we work during this phase? And how are we supposed to be productive?
Guess what? I am here to help! Let me tell you something you don’t know, design and everything in the space you are sitting in can influence you either negatively or positively. I know this sounds strange but yes, even the simple accessories and the way you place them affect you, your behavior and your decisions.
Okay, so I promise I won’t talk any more just three side notes before we start:
One: Everything presented below is based on research and studies made (and not by me)
Two: I know not every one of you has his/ her own office at home, so consider this blog for you even if you are working from the bedroom or sitting on the dining table chair!
Three: This blog subject will be divided into two parts and consider this as the first one!😀
1. Create a Mini Inspiration Board
STOP STARING AT THE BLANK WALL! Yes, you heard me! Between us, how many times did you find yourself daydreaming and looking at that blank wall in front of you and suddenly thought to yourself: what am I doing here? What am I supposed to do? What is this job? And the negative thoughts start running through your head till you feel that you are not in the mood to work AT ALL anymore. Well, you are not alone. So let us fix this. I want you to do a mini inspiration board. And no this is NOT A GIRL THING. Believe me, this works. Place everything that inspires you to work, whether it is travel plans or pictures of you and your loved ones or goals, anything! This way every time you decide to get distracted you will remember why you are still working and you get energized again! Let us trick your mind to work!
2. Color
Color is everything! It is the number one thing that affects you directly. Let us be clear before I start, I’m not telling you to paint your house’s walls! Well, you can do that if you want to, just saying! But what I mean by color, if you can’t really paint the walls, use objects, accessories or anything else.
-
Use Blue if you need to focus on a certain task/
or job requires heavy knowledge, it also helps with concentration and relaxation
-
Green is best for people who work long hours
because it reduces fatigue
-
Red is used if your job requires you to be physically
active since this color promotes activity and increases heart rate.
-
Yellow and orange are for all the people who
their jobs require them to be creative since these colors stimulate creativity.
-
The better the air quality in your space, the
better your cognitive performance is according to a study made at Harvard
University.
-
If you have an outdoor area or sitting next to a
balcony just open these doors and take a deep breath. And invest in an air
freshener, I promise it is worth it.
-
People use 85% of information through their
sense of sight
-
Use cool lights in your working area (affect: clarity
in mind and helps you maintain your concentration/ preferred: 3500 k -4000 k)
-
Use desk lamps that shine on your desk and not
on your computer screen
-
Ideally, the light source should be behind you,
above you or on the side
-
If you are right-handed put lamp on the left and
vice versa
-
The ceiling light should disperse light in your
space equally
-
Natural light is very important to increase mood
and productivity (According to a study made by Alan Hedge, a professor in the
department of design and environmental analysis at Cornell, workers in day lit
offices reported 84% drop in symptoms of eyestrain, headaches and blurred
vision symptoms, which can detract productivity.
-
According to Feng Shui (yes please don’t
comment) the desk should not be directly placed in front of the door consider
this point if you have a personal office in your home
-
Windows if possible should be alongside the
workstation rather than in front or behind the screen
-
Cut off any distractions (yes sorry to tell you
that, TURN OFF YOUR TV NOW, the news or the Netflix movie you are watching will
not help you work!)
-
Sit in a place where you have space in front of
the desk to move and take 5 minutes breaks
-
Consider walking meetings! When your body is
awake your mind is awake!
FINALLY, JOY THANK YOU! Yes, I know a perfect combination! All I am asking you to do is to move that comfortable couch near your work area and in the middle of the day take a 20 minutes power nap and then pour yourself a cup of coffee. Your body will need it and your brain will definitely love you for the break and will make it up to you as soon as you sit back in your chair.
Now you know why I decided to do a part two and I promise it will be even more interesting than part 1! See you then!
If you love this post please feel free to share it with your friends!
Follow me on:
Note that I don't take credit for any picture in this post!
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteInteresting and useful! Our lives can change when we start paying attention to the details.
ReplyDeleteYes exactly!
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