Working from home is a new reality for many of us. While it has its advantages (so long noisy crowded subway) there are also a few challenges. While working from home increasing productivity is a major concern. Today’s post looks to address one of the downsides of working from home: cabin fever.

Feeling trapped within the same four walls of your home office can have a negative impact on your physical and mental health and affect our productivity. The change might be so small as to be imperceptible, but over time, the effects can cumulate.

Whether commuting is temporarily off the cards, or if it’s simply not an option for you, there’s a simple fix available to anyone with a yard or terrace – working outdoors! The benefits of taking your 9-5 outside are aplenty!

Fresh air and a glimpse of nature can do wonders for you. According to Harvard Physician, Eva Selhub, nature “stimulates reward neurons in your brain. It turns off the stress response which means you have lower cortisol levels, lower heart rate and blood pressure, and improved immune response.”

What’s more, nature provides a calm environment in which to get things done!

Benefits of Working in a Calm Environment

  • Fewer distractions
  • More space for creativity and imaginative thinking
  • Less stressed
  • Better sleep
  • Relieves muscular tension

Sounds good to us! So without further ado, here are our tips for working in your backyard.

1. Keep It Cool

While you might be tempted to soak up the last of the summer rays, sun and technology do not mix.

As you probably already know, the glare from your phone or laptop screen plays havoc on your eyes. If you have to squint all day you put yourself at risk of developing severe headaches and, of course, impairing your eyesight.

Another risk is that your laptop might overheat. And waiting for your computer to cool down and restart is just wasting precious minutes when you could be productive.

All in all, it’s best you set up in a shady corner and save the sun-worshipping for your lunch break.

2. Keep connected

Good wifi signal is everyone’s most precious commodity right now. Nobody wants to be the person slowing down a Zoom call. Make sure your router is in the optimal position so that you can get a good range on your wifi signal. If you’re struggling, try elevating your router and making sure it is not obstructed by big heavy items such as bookcases.

If you’ve made these changes already and you still aren’t having any luck you can buy a wifi booster to extend your range. You can buy decent plug-in wifi extenders for as little as $35 and they work a treat.

Don’t forget to keep your laptop charged! Make sure you use an extension cable that’s suitable for use outdoors.

3. Protect yourself from the elements

So, you’re already in a shady spot, which should also mean you’re undercover and protected from the rain. Be prepared at all times to move indoors quickly if it’s forecast to downpour.

If it’s hot out, a USB chargeable fan is a nifty little device to keep you (and your computer) cool.

As fall draws in, who says you can’t still enjoy the fresh air? Grab a blanket and a hot drink, dust off your cute hat and get cosy outdoors!

As a city-dweller, my environment will never be 100% tranquil. There’s some construction work, there are cars, my neighbours are pottering about in the apartment opposite. Nonetheless, feeling a soft breeze and watching the clouds calmly trace their way across the sky is having a real beneficial effect on my wellbeing (and a set of noise-cancelling headphones is definitely helping me out here too.) Despite the endless to-do list, I’m somehow still relaxed and more focussed than ever. Give it a go!