The Activity Discrepancy When Working from Home

You might be surprised by how much less active you tend to become when transitioning from a corporate environment to working from home. There's no need to wake up two hours early to prepare for the day or to change out of what you slept in just ten minutes ago. Whether working at your desk part-time or full-time in a business setting, shifting to a home office can significantly escalate the sedentary lifestyle to an entirely new and unhealthy lifestyle.

Balancing your office hours with active time becomes imperative when working from home. It would help if you considered joining a gym or engaging in activities like playing a few rounds of golf each week. Taking walks in the morning and evening can also help. It's crucial to plan for this right from the beginning; otherwise, you might end up like me struggling to reverse the accidental damage to your body.

Boost Your Work-from-Home Productivity with a Standing Desk

I wish someone had informed me about the potential decrease in physical activity often accompanying remote work. It would have been great if it had directed me toward using a standing desk for my home office—a practical solution to break away from the confines of the office chair and spend more time on my feet. Research has demonstrated that spending as little as twenty minutes a day standing while working at a desk can catalyze a complete lifestyle change. If a standing desk can kickstart a more active and healthier lifestyle while working from home, I consider that a significant victory!

As an example of a standing desk for working from home, let’s look briefly at this model from the Elements Laminate Series.

A Home Office Differs from a Business Office

Of course, that might seem straightforward, but I'm delving deeper into this matter. Looking back to when I initially began working from home, I wish I had possessed the knowledge I have now, particularly regarding the selection of office furniture for my home office. I allowed my two decades of career experience in a professional environment to guide my choice of desk, and I must admit, I went overboard. I opted for an impressive L-shaped desk featuring an attractive finish. However, I now face an issue—it's more desk than I require. Based on my experience in a corporate setup, there's often an assumption that having a more oversized desk equates to higher productivity. Yet, this isn't necessarily the case in a home office.

Before I delve deeper, the desk I chose for my home office boasts exceptional quality and an appealing design. I have no complaints about the desk's capability to accommodate my workflow. However, it's turned into a horror in my home office. I'd share a picture of it, but I've deliberately cluttered it to my liking! You'll have to trust me on this one. While it fits perfectly within the allocated space, less is more when working from home. There's no need to uphold a formal appearance, and indeed, there's no reason to replicate the atmosphere of your former workplace. What may have been suitable there might not be a good fit for a home office setting.

Discover a Stylistic Flow that Blends Home and Office

Manasota Office Supplies, LLC brand partners have really good home office furniture available on our online marketplace. Find a model that is functional but fits within the flow of your style when working from home. For me, if I had it to do over again, I would probably end up with something like this.

It maintains a professional and stylish appearance while avoiding the overt message of "I belong in a corporate office!" Surprisingly, it offers even more storage than my current desk, all while exuding a cozy and inviting atmosphere. Can't you imagine your kids sitting here, working on their homework in the evening? That is, if you have kids. It serves the same purpose without whisking you away from your home and plunging you into a corporate environment. You can seamlessly blend your work and home life without compromising the cozy ambiance of one of your rooms.

Remember, working from home doesn't necessitate replicating your office environment at home. It's all about finding comfort! If dedicating an entire room to a home office isn't feasible while working remotely, a solution like this might suit your needs. And that's perfectly fine. If your work primarily involves a laptop, this home office desk should suffice, and its storage capacity remains commendable. Observe how it seamlessly merges with the staging elements. This compact home office desk is ideal for individuals who are prepared to embrace remote work but need help to allocate a whole room in their home for office purposes.

Navigating the Need for Balance

Transitioning to working from home is a monumental shift—it's truly immense! From the start, you'll likely notice that strategies that work in a corporate office don't always seamlessly transfer to a home office setting. This disparity is evident in my past office furniture choices versus what I'd opt for today. However, at home, the typical 9-5 schedule might need to adapt; for instance, it could become more like 8-12, then a break, followed by 6-10. Alternatively, if you are a dedicated night owl like myself, you might work from midnight until 9 am and continue because there's nothing else to do. Suddenly, you're immersed in a professional environment within your home—a space that often accommodates partners, children, pets, and what you might soon label as distractions #1, #2, and #3. Just to be transparent, sometimes the refrigerator even takes on the role of distraction #4. Working from home in your designated home office significantly disrupts the routine you've cultivated throughout your professional career. The initial transition to remote work within your home office will undoubtedly entail an adjustment period.

Setting Boundaries: A Pro Tip for Working from Home

Right from the outset of working from home, it's crucial to establish clear boundaries between your work and those delightful distractions—sorry, I mean your family. I distinctly recall saying, "If I'm in the home office, I'm unavailable here." However, that declaration won't hold for long, especially with children. On a personal level, you're bound to experience a trial and error to determine what approach suits you best.This commitment is something everyone in the household must also grasp because if they don't, it can become exceedingly challenging. Remember that these individuals are your family; they share your home office space. We care for them, and patience will be necessary during those initial months of transitioning to working from home.

Final Thoughts

I have several more tips about working from home, but we'll pause here since this has become lengthy. As I sit in my home office, where I've been working remotely for a couple of years, I hope these insights prove valuable as you transition from a traditional office to a home office setting. The rise of remote work opportunities over the past few years has been substantial, yet practice needs to be more scarce about the changes it brings. This information has made a positive impact in some small ways.

Should you need further guidance on working from home or selecting home office furniture, please don't hesitate to contact our customer support team. You can contact us at (941)777-2823; we'd be happy to assist you in any manner possible. Our team boasts extensive experience in customer support across various areas, from conceptualization and budgeting to scheduling and installation. If you're considering furnishing a home office but are still determining where to commence, our team is well-equipped to guide you through each step, from start to finish. Our primary goal isn't merely making a sale; it's about aiding individuals seeking office furniture, especially during the transition to working from home. If you are still determining where to begin furnishing your home office, please call us today!