The COVID-19 pandemic has left us with a lot of lessons to learn. One such lesson it has taught us is to be productive while working from home. Amidst the pandemic, a home office has become an essential component of most Indian urban households.
Work from home (WFH) is no doubt a blessing to most of us since we are still in a position to work and earn a living; unlike a lot of other people. Though WFH sounded exciting in the beginning, it’s slowly becoming an uncomfortable routine, which most people are eagerly waiting to get out of.
In this article, let’s see what gadgets and accessories could help in elevating your WFH experience to another level.
1. A Robust Wi-Fi Router/Reliable Wi-Fi Connection
A Wi-Fi router will be the first on the list to make your WFH experience smooth. Yes, you could rely on a mobile hotspot for accessing the internet; however, it’s better to have a dedicated broadband service when you are working from home for long hours for uninterrupted internet connectivity.
A robust internet connection will ensure your work is done on time; a good router will make sure you get ample internet connectivity in various areas across your home.
2. Multi-Port Wall Charger
Multi-port wall chargers will help you in charging several gadgets at the same time. When you are using two phones, a laptop, a Bluetooth headphones/earphones, and a smartwatch you intend to charge without using different chargers, a multi-port charger is your go-to option.
3. Ergonomic Office Chairs
Our comfortable office chairs are one thing most of us are missing in our WFH days. Our office chairs provided our backs with complete support and did not disturb our body posture. We have realised that the regular chairs we use in our homes are not suitable for sedentary work structure or long hours of sitting.
Here are a few features you need to look at when you are planning to buy an office chair:
- Don’t invest in a leatherette chair in case you reside in a geographically hot area as you might sweat more, and it will make your work schedule uncomfortable.
- Make sure the chair you choose supports adjustable back, neck, and head support.
- Your chair’s height, as well as the sidearms height, needs to be adjustable.
4. Wireless Keyboard And Mouse
It’s the right time for you to invest in a wireless mouse and a keyboard of good quality since we don’t know how long this lockdown would last! Also, since many companies are planning to shift to WFH culture to save space and their rent expenses, your investment will not get wasted even in the long run. You can also invest in a mouse pad which has a wrist rest so that you refrain from developing Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI).
Also Read: Break the cycle of burnout with a break. Here’s how!
5. Good Lighting
Good lighting is essential for you to have a good WFH experience. The lighting in your home office space can help you in increasing your productivity. When the lighting is low, it can dampen your energy, increase strain on your eyes, resulting in headaches, and ultimately it will bring down your ability to work effectively.
We are mostly relying on natural lighting, regular tubes, and LEDs for lighting up our home offices. In case there is not much natural light in your home, then artificial lights become more important to illuminate your home workspace. You could consider buying smart lights and bulbs, which are either Bluetooth or Wi-Fi enabled. Custom lighting options will prevent eye strain to a great extent. Also, smart lighting options will add colour and personalise your workspace where you’re spending a good lot of time of your day.
6. Good Pair Of Earphones/Headphones
Amidst this entire WFH scenario, the topmost priority for most of us is to be always connected with our team members and attend regular team meetings without any hassle. To stay connected with your teammates, you must have a high-quality headphone set or earphones. Most of you might already have a pair of good headphones or earphones.
You could also consider buying a good set of noise-cancelling earphones or headphones as you can get rid of background disturbances to a great extent during your calls. Another option you could consider buying would be Bluetooth earphones/headphones so that you aren’t confined to the same place throughout your working day, and you can easily move around your home.
7. A Laptop Cooling Pad
A few of the laptops get hot after using it for a long duration; as a safety measure, it is better to use a laptop cooling pad. This will not help in keeping the laptop cool; it will also work as a stand to keep your laptop inclined to facilitate better ergonomics. It will lessen the stress on your neck.
For any clarifications/feedback on the topic, please contact the writer at bhavana.pn@cleartax.in
Bhavana is a Senior Content Writer handling the GST vertical. She is committed, professional, and has a flair for writing. When away from work, she enjoys watching movies and playing with her son. One thing she can’t resist is SHOPPING! Her favourite quote is: “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity”.
