As cliched as it sounds, the new normal is not exactly new anymore. There is a revitalized interest in working from home versus commuting to a shared office. Telecommuting is now as common an occurrence as brewing a fresh pot of coffee in the morning. Norms are constantly evolving, with old ones being destroyed, and new ones emerging. Successful corporations are able to adapt to such changes, leveraging them to scale their businesses. In the words of Nobel-prize winning economist, Joseph Schumpeter, this phenomenon is called “creative destruction”. Legacy businesses are starting to systemize operations by outsourcing work to virtual assistants, and that’s where telecommuters fit in!

However, every opportunity has its caveats. The household domain is a realm that is culturally associated with rest and leisure. To make matters worse, the shrill screams of your child, or the unceasing hustle and bustle emanating from your neighbourhood are detrimental to your focus. Even something as trivial as a chair with poor ergonomics can detract from the quality of your work. As a Virtual Assistant, such conditions are far from ideal. Not only do good ergonomics enhance your work efficiency and workflow, it is also beneficial to your mental and physical health. Here are some tips on ergonomics worth considering.  

Less is More

In the 10 principles of good design, renowned designer, Dieter Rams, states that “good design should be unobtrusive”. This timely rule applies to your workstation. If your computer desk looks like the disastrous aftermath of a tropical typhoon, perhaps it is best to declutter your workspace. The items placed on your desk space should remain tidy, and orderly. Categorize and systemise the items across your desk space for easy access. Nothing should impede your visibility or identify any item when necessary.

The next step touches on the elimination of unnecessary items. If your desk space is filled to the brim with superfluous items, ask yourself this fundamental question: “What purpose does this fill?” Good design should be useful as well as pleasing. If the item does not serve any need or function, remove it. However, we are humans after all! If a product evokes joy (a stuffed toy or bobble figure), feel free to leave it. Little mementos like these complement the work experience. The balance between YOUR form and function is for you to decide, without oscillating between extremes.

As long as your desk space at home does not completely deviate from the office-cubicle model, there is no harm in having a few non-work-related items. We want you to work in a desk space surrounded by happiness influencers that puts pleasure in the work!

Heavy is the head that sits all day

According to Ergonomics Now, over 70% of the surveyed call centre employees raised posture-related pains. This is, unfortunately, a recurrent problem across the world. Office chairs with poor lumbar support and unsubstantial back padding exacerbate the poor posture epidemic. These compounded issues result in aches that can radiate from your lower back up to your neck. In the worst possible outcome, this can even lead to long-term ailments such as sciatica! In fact, a simple switch makes a whole world of difference! An ergonomic chair places less pressure on your hips, and reduces the risk of neck and back problems. However, selecting the right chair is both an art and a science.

If possible, you should pay an office furniture store a visit. Go straight to the experts, and be explicit about your need and wants. Doing so allows them to offer solutions that are exclusively tailored to your requests. Their professional input is vastly superior to advice gleaned from the internet.

However, there are several features that offer several helpful search tips. Gear Patrol, offers fantastic advice, highlighting the key areas to focus on when searching for an ergonomic office chair: Lumbar Support, Adjustable, Wheelbase, Swivel Base and Fabric. Is there adequate lumbar support? Is the wheelbase reinforced well, or does the swivel base offer enough elbow room for tilt or spin? Is the fabric uncomfortable to sit on? These are some questions that you should ask yourself. The best way to determine the quality of each chair is to give them a physical test run, getting a feel for what suits you best in-store.

Shine a light on it

The office space that we used to congregate in is the combined result of purposeful, meticulous design. And one important dimension is the lighting that illuminates the workplace. Research has shown that daylight has a positive effect on alertness, and task focus. Unfortunately, most office spaces suffer from natural lighting issues. Therefore, interior designers mitigate this problem by mimicking it. Colour temperatures of 5000K or higher are ideal in recreating natural lighting conditions. Higher colour temperatures have a stronger effect on mental acuity!

However, blue light is a double-edged sword. Studies have concluded that heavy exposure to blue light greatly lowers your body’s ability to produce natural melatonin, the sleep hormone. Once the workday is over at home, be sure to dim the lights; that alertness carries over to bedtime.

For virtual assistants working from home, situating your workstation in front of a windowsill allows you to leverage the extraordinary benefits of natural lighting. Exposure to natural lighting increases our bodily production of Vitamin D, decreases our chances of developing depression, and improves our sleep. It also circumvents the damaging effects of artificial lighting. If this is not possible, follow the advice above when purchasing a desk lamp for your designated workspace.

Green is Gold

As humans, we are not above our physiologies. Being cooped up all day within four walls is not how we were meant to live; we were meant to be surrounded by the natural world. A healthy compromise is to have some horticulture to coexist in your workspace!

The benefits of having plants surrounding us are endless. From cleaning the air, to reducing stress and boosting productivity, the wonders of a little potted plant are innumerable.

Moreover, as a virtual assistant, working long hours in front of a computer screen is a necessary evil that you cannot escape from.  Green is a naturally gentle colour, and looking at plants offers them much-needed reprieve from the blue light emanating from our smart devices’ screens.

Visit your local nursery, pick up a few potted plants, and place them in close proximity to you. Rest those computer-strained eyes by glancing upon nature’s gift to humanity. Rinse and repeat, ad nauseum.

Conclusion

As a virtual assistant working from home, your workstation should help you progress, not digress. Ergonomics is a key element of one of the many happiness influencers to be scrutinized and acknowledged. There is value to be found in a comfortable workstation. We want you to work in an environment that not only fortifies your work-efficacy but one that lets you reap its many excellent health benefits! Besides, is there any harm in rewarding yourself with a comfortable office chair?