Change is indeed inevitable especially now that the COVID-19 pandemic continues to perpetrate the entire world. In just a snap, everything that people used to do was put into halt abruptly. As a result, countries set up barriers, banned domestic and international flights, and implemented strict quarantine protocols; thus, a global lockdown. With this, people across the globe are unavoidably compelled to stay at home and adapt to this change — or so called “new normal.”
It is undeniable to recognize how people managed and responded to this sudden shift. Businesses and companies made plenty of creative and resourceful changes to continue work without compromising everyone’s health. That is why nowadays, work from home is the ultimate and best solution to conform to this change.
Work from home is a challenge especially if you are used to working in the field or in the office. However, with the help of technology and a proper work-from-home setup, you can achieve optimum work from home experience that will surely redefine your perspective as an employee. Furthermore, this article offers you everything you need for your work from home setup. But first, what is the significance of having an appropriate work from home setup?
Significance of Having an Appropriate Work From Home Setup
Regardless if you are in your house or maybe in a condo living lifestyle, having a decent work from home setup is crucial and necessary as this determines your efficiency and productivity amidst the tempting comfort brought by your home. Not only that, having an appropriate setup has a lot of benefits in terms of work experience and in physical and mental health.
On the other hand, improper work from home setup destructs productivity and affects your well-being. Consequently, eyestrain, blurred vision, migraines, neck and back pain, and musculoskeletal problems like bad posture are just some of the impending effects caused by improper setup.
According to several studies, posture has a great and direct effect on productivity. Proper posture induces productivity and it enables a person to work efficiently. Therefore, having a decent work from home setup helps you perform at your absolute best without compromising your health.
With this, here is the list of everything you need for your work from home setup.
Work From Home Essentials
Ergonomic Chair
Most of the time, you will be seated during work, that is why it is important for you to invest in a chair that is designed for efficiency and comfort; therefore, an ergonomic chair. This chair is perfect for a work from home setup because it has the capacity to fully support your body and it prevents several inconveniences such as back pain and neck pain.
It also has several features like seat depth, adjustable arm and headrest, and lumbar support which promote sitting posture that allows proper alignment of the shoulders, hip, and spine. Although the cost of a single ergonomic chair can put some off, the long-term benefits of this chair outweighs its price. Thus, it is still a good investment especially with the huge amount of time you spend for work.
Sturdy Desk
Although many people still opt to work in the existing dining or coffee table, having a separate desk that only functions for work is a great advantage in terms of productivity. Acquiring a desk for the sole purpose of working creates an invisible barrier in your mind that distinguishes home from work. Similarly, if you designate a specific space, whether in your house or condo, just for work purposes away from possible distractions will increase your productivity.
One good thing about having a desk is, you have the freedom to select the design. Whether you like minimalists, small cute stuff, elegant materials, or just plain wood, make sure that the home or condo design reflects your creativity and personality. Sometimes, work can be extra stressful or boring, but this tiny thing can help you and motivate you to stay strong and finish the tasks.
Additionally, a laptop desk is highly recommended if you do not own a computer and if being in the comfort of your bed or couch will make you more productive. Also, people have been raving about standing desks because of the health benefits it caters. It reduces the risk of gaining weight and diabetes, and it promotes stronger muscles and bones.
Stable Internet
Of course, a work from home setup will not be appropriate if it is not connected to the internet. The internet plays a very vital role in companies and businesses as this is a mode of communication between them and their employees. Thus, investing in a good internet company will elevate your work life experience.
However, it is inevitable to have inconveniences when it comes to the internet, especially here in the Philippines. Some have multiple internet connectivity issues, that is why it is essential to know various tips in boosting your internet connection whether at home or in your condo.
In addition to that, a backup internet connection is a need just in case your primary source of internet goes down. The backup connection must be from another telecom company that is fast and reliable enough to support video conference calls.
Lighting
A good lighting while working makes a huge difference. Light has an immense effect on someone’s physical and well being and with this, studies have found out that light makes workers more productive. Exposure to sunlight or natural light is beneficial to workers as it improves mood, energy, and alertness. Thus, lighting plays an important role in your work from home setup.
So whether your house or condo is designed to receive natural light, it is still essential for a work from home setup to have artificial light especially when working during the night. Desk lamps help you illuminate the task at hand. Regardless if it is a typing job or reading books and contracts, desk lamps assist you to see comfortably and clearly.
Ring lights on the other hand are used to lighten the subject of a close-up photograph. This is often used by workers and social media influencers during zoom calls or video contents to make sure that the face is evenly lit without shadows for a more uniform glow.
Personal Computer or Laptop
One of the most essential equipment in your work from home setup is a personal computer (PC). It’s like most of the corporate jobs not just in the Philippines but as well as the whole world rely on desktops or laptops for work because of their limitless capabilities that are indeed very useful to people. Although acquiring a computer and laptop may cause a fortune, it is still a good investment for you to have, especially in the long run.
There are wide varieties of desktops and laptops that you can choose from depending on your need. If you are looking for a computer that is lightweight, compact in size, allows you to move from one place to another, and is easily accessed, then a laptop is for you.
However, if you work for a heavy and technical job, you might want to consider owning a desktop computer. Desktops have more power and features than laptops. Although laptops can have upgraded features just like desktops, the price for these upgrades can be too expensive. It is still advisable to purchase a desktop computer for faster processing at a less price compared to laptops. Disadvantages of desktops are: its mobility as it is not portable; it requires an access to power; and it consumes too much space especially for the ones who are living in a condo.
Headset with noise-cancelling feature
Working from home may be bothersome because of the unnecessary noise that surrounds you: dogs barking all the time, the sound of construction from your neighbor’s renovation, car and motorcycle sound from the street, and even your mom yelling. These noises are very humiliating especially if you are on a zoom meeting with your boss and coworkers, and may hinder you from understanding them. If you are experiencing these inconveniences, maybe it is time for you to buy yourself a headset with a noise-cancelling microphone. Not only will you hear your boss clearly, but it will also reduce environmental distractions both from your boss’s end to your end.
Aside from headsets with noise-cancelling features, wired earpods and bluetooth and wireless earbuds are also recommended as they also help you hear clear sounds. However, it is not guaranteed that these alternatives will decrease environmental sounds.
If you are really agitated and annoyed with these noises, then maybe condo living is for you. In condo living, there is a minimum to none environmental sounds heard because of its structure, that is why a lot of people opt to work in a condo because of its advantages especially during this time of pandemic. Vista Residences offers a ready for occupancy condo unit that is suitable for your personal and career life.
Smart Home Devices
Working remotely can be tiring especially if you live alone managing everything all by yourself. So if you want to level up your work from home experience, you might consider including smart home devices.
Smart home devices assist you from your daily routine to your most tedious tasks. Examples of smart home devices are: smart speakers like Alexa from Amazon and Google Home which allow you to command using your voice; and smart plugs which permit you to control various appliances with just a single tap from your phone.
These devices are undeniably expensive and will literally cost you a fortune, but adding these devices can also improve your productivity and efficiency while working. Thus, these are great expenditures in the long run.
Other necessary tools and equipment
Computer accessories like ergonomic keyboard, wireless mouse, a mousepad, multipurpose printer and scanner, speakers, etc., are very essential in your work from home setup. Other people have dual monitors as well on their personal computers for multitasking and for more efficient work.
Nowadays, laptop stands are very trendy because it serves a double purpose: helps your laptop in cooling down because laptops tend to overheat when overused, and it ensures that you maintain a good posture while working.
Not because work shifted to digital means that traditional work is not valid. That is why other key essentials in your work from home setup are notebooks, planner, and pen because other people still choose writing down notes over typing it into the computer. You might also consider having a whiteboard and a marker for your checklist or to-do list.
Another necessary equipment everyone should have in their work from home setup is a coffee machine. Working from home means it’s not always easy to go to a coffee shop; so, why not invest in your own coffee machine right?
With all the electronics and wires you have in your setup, it is unimaginable to see what looks behind. That is why a cable organizer and extension cord come in handy to have a cleaner and more organized work space.
These are just some of the most essential things you must have for your work from home setup to achieve optimum productivity. Working under suitable conditions is essential for your physical and mental wellbeing. Thus, one important element in your work from home setup is a good working environment free from stress and distractions. Make sure that your workstation is clean and tidy as this greatly affects your work life balance. So whether you work in your house or in a condo, you have the capacity to turn your space into a good working environment full of light and productivity.
Vista Residences is the condominium arm of Vista Land. Since its launch in 2003, it has become a formidable player in the fast-growing vertical development sector of the real estate industry. It continues to address the rising demand for condominium living with over 50 projects across the country’s key cities and business districts.
Living in Vista Residences enables you to enjoy convenience, where everything is pretty much within walking distance or a few minutes away from the property; comfort because the project features and amenities are designed to deliver comfort at all times, which makes condo living a worthy investment; security that is 24/7 and CCTV monitoring, which makes the residents safe and secure within the property.
In line with Vista Residences’ thrust to offer convenience among its residents, it also features an AllDay Convenience Store and Coffee Project in all its projects.
For more information on Vista Residences, email [email protected], follow @VistaResidencesOfficial on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Youtube, or call the Marketing Office at 0999 886 4262 / 0917 582 5167.
