Common Work-from-Home Problems and How to Solve Them
Sitting for long hours in front of a screen can cause some discomfort and body pains. There are things you can do to make working from home comfortable. One of them is adding a few items to your work desk to make things easier for you. So the next time you go out for errands, drop by your favorite tech store and novelty shop to get a few things.
If you don’t want to spend so much on your work-from-home setup, that’s understandable. No one knows when this situation is going to end. Who knows, you may be going back to the office soon. Don’t worry because these items won’t break the bank.
Succulents for Stress Relief
Did you know that plants increase productivity? Well, now that you know, go ahead and add a succulent to your shopping list. You can go for bigger plants, but that won’t cost you more. Plus, these tiny plants can easily fit in small spaces and won’t ruin your aesthetic. They are cute, and they don’t require that much upkeep. They are low-maintenance, and that’s perfect for busy people.
For less than $20, you can get yourself a set of live succulents. They have different styles and sizes. You can spend extra on beautiful pots if you want to.
Back Pillow for Back Pain
Sitting for long hours can cause back pain. There are quick remedies for that, but prevention is still better than cure. Squeeze in a few minutes of stretching during break and buy yourself a back pillow.
You can use regular throw pillows you have in the living room. For added support, you can go for backrests with lower back support. These standard back support pillows usually cost around $15.
You can also go for ones that use memory foam technology. You can have one for as low as $30. Choose one with a mesh cover so you don’t have to worry about sweating.
Laptop Stand for Neck Pain
Another problem you may have is neck pain. You can get it by staring down at your laptop monitor. To solve this, you can use a stack of books to raise your laptop. But that may cause a problem for your device’s cooling system. Instead, you can buy a laptop stand.
There are ones with a heat vent to prevent your laptop from overheating. Some laptop stands can be as affordable as $25. But there are more affordable ones than that. They are laptop risers made of foldable steel, which you can get for as low as $10. However, they are less stable because of the design.
External Keyboard for Hand Cramps
Hand cramps happen when your muscles are overworked. You sometimes feel a weird sensation in your fingers when you type long documents. Popping your knuckles from time to time can help. You can also do little hand stretches.
However, to lessen the chances of cramps, you may want to get an external keyboard. Whether you use desktop computers or laptops on monitor risers or stands, this is ideal. You don’t want to type on a weird angle or elevation. Get an external keyboard, and make sure you place it on a surface with a comfortable angle relative to your elbow and arms. For only $25, you can get a good-quality keyboard set. Some come as sets with an ergonomic mouse you can also use to alleviate hand cramps.
Desk Lamp and Blue-Light Glasses for Eye Strains
The ideal space for your work setup is in a well-lit corner. Take advantage of empty spaces in front of a window. If you don’t have that, you can buy a desk lamp to compensate for the lack of natural lighting. You may opt for a desk lamp with multiple light settings. There are ones that allow you to control the light intensity, brightness, and warmth.
Working in a space that is too bright or too dim can affect your vision. It can also cause headaches. For as low as $20, you can get a desk lamp to help your eyes.
Monitors and phone screens emit blue light that is harmful to the eyes. If you wear eyeglasses, make sure it has an anti-blue light coating. If your vision is okay, you should still get blue-light glasses to protect your eyes. You can get these glasses for as lows as $10.
Comfort doesn’t have to be expensive. There are a lot of options to make your work easier and more comfortable. If you don’t experience back pain and cramps, don’t wait for it to happen. As early as now, make sure you can move around comfortably while working.