How to create the perfect home office setup

Whether your home office is for running a business, paying the bills, or working from home due to COVID-19, it’s important you have the right setup. It’ll ensure you’re comfortable, productive and safe.

Consider the lighting

Bright, natural light is best for working on a computer, for several reasons:

A well-lit room will increase productivity and alertness.
It can help to reduce eye strain – you don’t want your device to be brighter than your surroundings¹.
Daylight can have a significant positive effect on mental health and your overall wellbeing.

Get comfortable

If you work from home, it’s a good idea to invest in quality office furniture. In particular, consider a good chair with the right amount of back and arm support. You’ll probably spend a lot of time in your home office, so you want to be comfortable!

Move regularly

Constant sitting puts you at higher risk of heart disease, diabetes, depression and obesity². Taking regular movement breaks has been shown to improve productivity and focus and can also help reduce eye strain and body aches. It’s easy to lose track of time when you’re working from home, so try setting an alarm to remind you to move.

Consider a stand-up desk

Both sitting and standing for long periods of time can cause issues. One potential solution for this is a stand-up desk, which allows you to alternate between the two.

Limit distractions

Phones and other devices can be distracting when you’re trying to work, so putting them in a drawer or leaving them in another room can help you keep your focus.

Set a to-do list

Keeping track of everything you need to do throughout your day can be a challenge. Setting a to-do list every morning and checking items off as you progress is a great way to stay focused and productive. Seeing how much you can achieve in a day will help keep you motivated!

Listen to music

You might find listening to your favourite tunes while working at home can offer a real productivity boost. Just make sure it’s not too loud and distracting!

Make sure it’s covered

Thinking about upgrading your home office? With Apia Home and Contents Insurance, you’ll be glad to know your office equipment is covered for up to the lesser of $10,000 or 25% of the contents sum insured in total. So you can worry a little less and get back to work.

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¹https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/prevent-digital-eyestrain

²https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/blog/changepower/201703/is-it-true-movement-is-medicine

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Any advice has been prepared without taking into account your particular objectives, financial situation or needs, so you should consider whether it is appropriate for you before acting on it.