The pandemic has taught us many useful life lessons. One of them being How to make the most out of a difficult situation. Like thousands of people around the globe, we found ourselves working from home. Many of us had to get creative in order to set up a new and productive workspace at home. Whether you are looking to upgrade your existing setup, or are creating your first ergonomic workspace, let us guide you through our 6 steps and extra tips on how to set up an ergonomic workspace at home.

Before getting started with the smaller ergonomic accessories and lifestyle habits needed to create a comfortable ergonomic workspace at home, you need to focus on what’s most important: the desk.

Even with the best possible standing desk on the market, a good ergonomic and comfortable chair is essential. Considering that we spend almost half of our day sitting, it is one of the most crucial aspects of a health-conscious work environment. Being sure you have a good ergonomic chair and footrest, if needed, should be a priority when it comes to setting up a home office.

Often underestimated, this next step is as important for your long term health as the other steps. Take care of your eyes, head, and neck by making sure your monitor’s placement is optimal and ergonomic.

Want additional protection for your eyes? Try blue light protection glasses from our gift guide! You can also practice the 20-20-20 rule: after 20 minutes of looking at your screen, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds, or get up and move a little.

Did you know that the type of lighting you use in your office can impact your mood, your circadian rhythm, your physical health and also affects productivity and creativity during the work day. A lighting that is too dim can strain your eyes whereas too bright lighting can be too harsh on your eyes and trigger migraines.

If possible, natural light is the best option one could choose. Having a window in your home office could impact your day to day health. According to a study by the department of design and environmental analysis at Cornell University, employees who are being exposed to natural light while working reported a 84% decrease in eye strain, headaches and blurred vision.

Image from refreshrenovations

Curating the most efficient and ergonomic workspace at home goes beyond office furniture. Often forgotten or taken for granted, these next smaller tools and accessories are essential for anyone who wishes for the complete and productive experience of working remotely.

While your computer and monitors are the main characters of the tech aspect of your office, you also need a quality mouse and keyboard to be able to work.

Now that you’ve got all the ergonomics bases down, it’s time to curate an ambiance in which you feel productive and can be the best version of yourself.

In order to be productive in your home office, there are a few things that go beyond ergonomics that need to be in place. Organization is a critical factor to work better and be more productive. It’s effortless; good organization reduces the number of obstacles and possible complications. A well-thought workspace also helps you to stay more focused, to reduce wasted time and to motivate you throughout the work week.

Not only does music improve mood and productivity, but it also allows you to get rid of distractions, stay motivated, and get your tasks done quicker. Want a boost of energy? Try upbeat music to increase your alertness and catch your attention. Have repetitive tasks you keep postponing? Take this time to explore new music genres and up-and-coming artists to stay motivated. If you have work that requires deep concentration, choose slower music, with fewer lyrics, or even streamlined music, which has been shown to improve task persistence and creative thinking.

Listen to our in-house productive playlists on Spotify!

If you don’t have a designated office in your home, find a quiet spot where you are the least likely to get interrupted. If you have a busy household, we recommend investing in quality noise-canceling headphones so you can tune-in to motivating playlists or hop on a teleconference call without distraction.

Image from Digital Spy

To avoid the hypnotizing effect of all-day meetings in front of a screen, we have to remind ourselves to have the reflex to move our eyes somewhere else. We recommend placing on your desk (or near) a picture frame of something you love or a plant to have something soothing to look at. This hack not only acts as a mood booster against Zoom fatigue, but also brings some character and personality to your home office.

We believe movement should be a fundamental part of your workday. After all, we are built to move!

Movement can include small stretches to prevent back pain and short walks to get the blood flowing, but the ultimate way we include movement in our workday is by using a standing desk. Standing desks have been shown to increase productivity and lower back pain. Our standing desks allow you to program 2 different heights to make the switch from standing to sitting easily.

In addition to getting moving, think about adding a few corrective exercises to your routine to counteract long workdays. Moving regularly will redistribute the stress on the different tissues of the body.

It is essential to do the stretching first and then do the corrective exercise afterwards. Stretching will "deactivate" the overloaded muscle, and the exercise will teach the body how to maintain the ideal posture using the right muscles. Here is a stretch/exercise duo to use during your long working days.

1. 1. 1. Sit at the end of a chair and grab the edge of the chair.
      2. Lower your shoulder and extend your head toward the ceiling.
      3. Keeping your head in the initial axis (do not rotate), lean towards the opposite side of the hand, grasping the chair while exhaling.
      4. Do three (3) stretches of 15 to 20 seconds per side every hour.

Tip: It is important to relax while stretching; we are trying to stretch the envelope of the muscle and not the muscle itself. If you force the stretch too much, the tissue will try to contract.

1. 1. 1. Lie face down on the floor or a yoga mat.
      2. Tuck your chin in and make sure you feel the muscles in the front of your neck.
      3. Begin the movement by lowering and bringing the shoulder blades towards each other; the arms will then follow by rising. Note that it is important not to lift only the arms without movement of the shoulder blades.
      4. Hold the position at the top of the movement for 4 seconds.
      5. Reverse the movement. Make sure the shoulder blades "slide" across the rib cage and away from each other.
      6. Perform two (2) sets of 12-15 repetitions 2-3 times a day.

Tip: Relax your arms and stretch your upper back muscles before starting the movement.

General note: It is better to do a simple exercise in the right way than to undertake an overly complex one using the wrong mechanics.

The exercise recommendations are from Julien Couvrette, founder of Studio Synergex: a new concept high-end training space located in Laval. It links therapy and training. You can benefit from exceptional supervision that will ensure that you reach your goals while enjoying a luxurious space all to yourself.

The best workstation is one that would allow you to work in the most neutral body position to create the least amount of strain. The best workstation is one that would allow you to work in the most neutral body position to create the least amount of strain. The adjustability of your workspace is, therefore, crucial to a healthy environment. We believe that with the appropriate desk height, an option for standing, a comfortable chair, and a monitor stand, you are creating an active and ergonomic workspace to make the most out of your workday.

We want to know: how are you adjusting your workspace at home?