Separating work and home life can have a huge impact on your work life balance, and can help you stay productive and focused. In this blog post, we’ll explore the benefits of having a dedicated workspace and how it can help you achieve a better work life balance. We’re looking specifically at those who work from home, whether that’s all or just part of the time.
My workspace is a separate building for my clinic but whether you have a whole room or just a corner somewhere, it’s worth creating your own dedicated workspace.
Working from home has its perks – like working with your laptop on the couch with the TV on, or enjoying the fresh air in the garden when the weather’s good enough.
Although these may both seem like good places to work, there are several reasons it’s much better to have a dedicated workspace.
You Need to Protect Your Back and Shoulders
Although it may seem like a comfy idea to lounge on the couch all day, this isn’t good for your back and shoulders. Invest in an ergonomic office chair and take regular breaks (see below). Then when you work all day at your computer, you won’t have to worry about any long-term health issues resulting from poor posture.
You Can Take Regular Breaks
Having a dedicated workspace is key for keeping your work and home life separate, even when you’re working from home. If you don’t have a designated area for work, it’s easy to blur the lines between work and play. Having a dedicated space makes it crystal clear when you’re working and when you’re taking a break. Ensure that regular breaks include getting up and walking away from your workspace, even if only for a few minutes. Doing so gives your eyes a quick break and gets your circulation (qi) moving.
You Will Be More Productive
Perhaps the most important reason (to your employer) to have a dedicated workspace is that you will be more productive. (Of course I’m more focussed on the health benefits, lol). You can set it up the space so that distractions are kept to a minimum, and your mind will associate the spot with getting work done. It will become easier, as you use it, to slip into work mode quicker.
You Will Stay More Organised
When your workspace is your bedroom or the dining room, it’s quite easy for your notes to get shuffled into a different spot because you need to get to sleep or you need to set the table for dinner. Having a dedicated workspace helps you stay organised and makes it easier to pick up where you left off if you need to step away for a bit.
Creating a dedicated workspace for work is a great way to help you achieve a better work-life balance. Not only will it help you to stay focused and organised, but it will also give you a sense of separation between your work and home life. Having a dedicated workspace can help you to be more productive and efficient, while also giving you the freedom to enjoy your personal life without feeling guilty. So, if you’re looking for ways to improve your work-life balance, consider setting up a dedicated workspace in your home. It could be the key to a more balanced and successful life.