# data[].attributes.body
Stretches to help release tension for spinal stiffness and discomfort of long periods of sitting & working, especially working at home.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.authors[].name
Elizabeth Alexander Physiotherapy & Pilates

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
A 15 minute chair spinal stretch and release session

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
We all know the value of creating an engaging, colorful, and educational space in a classroom, but did you know it is just important to make an inviting learning space at home?

Believe it or not, a dedicated home learning space can help develop your child's creativity, sharpen their focus, and increase their motivation to read and learn. Although you do not have the same square footage as a school, with just a little bit of money and creativity you can easily create an impactful learning space!

If you need to know more about why home learning spaces matter and how you can carve out a space in your already busy home, we have some information and steps you can take to invite a spirit of learning in your home.

Why Learning Spaces Matter

So, you might be wondering why a child just can't simply hop on the family couch and learn there. Although that can work, it might not be the best way for a child to learn. Without a specific learning spot, young learners can be easily distracted, they don't have supplies they need nearby, and there's no sense of consistency. The family couch, then, as comfortable and easy as it seems, may not be the right option for young children needing to learn about routines, early education, and self-regulation.

With a home learning environment, children can:

-See education as a priority in the home, meaning it sets a positive example[1]
-Learn to investigate the world, knowing that learning is everywhere, not just schools
-Have choices for reading and learning just for fun
-Set routines that support independent learning time and family planning

By making the effort to set aside a special learning space for your child, you are encouraging new skills and creating a spirit of learning that will impact your child's life for a long time!

To help you get started, let's look at some simple ways you can help in your child's learning and growth.

Planning Your Home Education Space

If you are wondering how to create learning spaces when you are tight on space and money, do not worry. Below are some simple ways you can encourage and create specific spaces for home learning:

Plan For Needs, Not Pinterest

For a lot of parents there is a pressure to create Pinterest-worthy spaces for their children, but you just need to create a place for your child to explore and be creative. Believe it or not, that can be a lot simpler than you think! So, think about how your child likes to learn and engage with the world! Ask yourself:

Is your child an active one? Do they like sitting for long periods of time?

Does your child like quiet spaces, or do they like sound engagement with soft music?

What colors do they like? Are there things they find exciting, like superheroes or animals?

Do they need a lot of options and supplies close by, or are they better with less crowded spaces?

Do they like seclusion to focus, or are they okay with open areas?

By thinking about the learning needs of your child, you will be able to cut out a lot of unnecessary items you THINK you need; you really don't need a lot to have a successful learning space in your home.

Have a Space Just for Learning

Most families don't have the luxury of a whole extra room just for learning. But don't worry. If you are stressing about where to create a space, know there are tons of exciting and easy ways you can do this! Instead of focusing on square footage and actual space, think about creating consistency. You can dedicate a corner of a room, but you can also create learning spaces that are more flexible. For example, pull out the same foldable chairs and tables when it is time to learn, or create a learning box you can bring to the kitchen table each day. Your learning space could even be a specific lap desk in the living room. The key is to create a specific routine and spot for your child's learning. At the end of the day, it is most important to show your child that you value learning enough to give it a consistent place in your home.

Declutter the Space

After designating a space for learning, focus on removing distractions. Remember, less is more. Too many toys, books, and supplies can crowd a space and create a feeling of chaos. Create an orderly environment by decluttering the area. This will greatly help your child focus on learning.

Create a Comfortable Space

Much like adults, children need to have a comfortable place to work.

As a parent, it is important to look for ways you can make learning a place where children are comfortable enough to want to extend their learning time. So, whether that is getting them bean bags to curl up in with a book or giving them a small weighted blanket to alleviate stress when learning something difficult, comfort matters!

Make Your Space Visual (But Not Too Visual)

In simplicity, the brain simply enjoys being visually stimulated. So, when you create a learning space in your home, look for ways to create inspiring, creative, and visual places for a child's mind to wander. For example, hang small pictures, posters, family photos, and other things that create a positive place where a child feels inspired, safe, and free. Ensure any word posters have positive reinforcement statements and shy away from hanging up rules.

Think about posters that a child will be excited to explore, like world maps, animal posters, or whatever else they might be interested in learning and seeing. Be sure to keep things simple and purposeful, and avoid hanging up too many distractions. Anything visual should add to the learning environment, not take away from it.

Organize a Well-Lit Area

Believe it or not, lighting is an important factor in effective learning spaces. In fact, Christopher Alexander, Emeritus Professor of Architecture at UC Berkeley, stated that low levels of light in classrooms affected students' ability to regulate their natural cycle of sleep and attention. Another study found that the more natural light (or lighting that mimicked natural sunlight), the greater the students' school attendance, achievement, and overall health.[2] From these studies we learn that lighting can affect a child's energy, attention, and achievement levels. If you do not have windows or good lighting in the space where your child learns, you can also use mirrors! Place a mirror across from a window to reflect more of the natural light into the room.

Gather Books and Leave Room for Growth

Lastly, try to have books readily available and leave room for growth! Research shows that children in homes where books are readily available benefit-in terms of improved test scores-from their mere presence. And this is especially true in low-education and under-resourced homes. The research even shows that no matter how many books your home already has, every addition benefits your children even more.[3]

So whether you get them at second hand stores, check them out at the library, or buy them at bookstores, the more books you can have in your home the better! Stocking your shelves with books encourages children to explore new interests and choose reading as a pastime. Don't be afraid to keep some spaces empty. You do not need to fill every corner of your learning space with endless books and educational tools. The learning space should have room to change as your child's interests, educational abilities, and passions evolve. Allow space for them to change things up and add new books or educational tools!

Make It Personal

Lastly, and probably the most impactful thing you can do when planning an educational space at home, is making it personal to your child. Be sure the space plays into their interests and encourages your child to learn! What motivates them? What sparks their interest? What do they love learning about?

Conclusion

As a parent, you want to ensure you are doing everything you can to help your child succeed, but why not start at home? By creating a consistent space for learning, you promote lifelong learning as a priority in your family. Believe it or not, home is just as important to a child's education as the schoolhouse! There is a lot of learning that happens within your walls, so do not discredit the instruction that happens at home everyday. Make education part of your daily routine. Sources:

1. "Fifty Top Literacy Statistics." Ferst Readers . https://ferstreaders.org/resources/fifty-top-literacy-statistics .

2. Persaud, Ramona. "Why Learning Space Matters." . George Lucas Educational Foundation, September 8, 2014. https://www.edutopia.org/blog/why-learning-space-matters-ramona-persaud.

3. Evans, M. D. R., Jonathan Kelley, and Joanna Sikora. "Scholarly Culture and Academic Performance in 42 Nations." Social Forces 92, no 4. (June 2014): 1576-1605. https://doi.org/10.1093/sf/sou030.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How to Create an At-Home Learning Space for Your Child - Waterford.org

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
To help your child's learning and growth, an at-home learning space can make all the difference! In this article, read about the impact of a specialized learning space and learn how you can create a simple space in your home.

# data[].attributes.body
Tips for creating a home office in a small space

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
When I first started working from home, I found myself struggling to get anything done. This was mostly because I struggled to adjust to the fact that my home, a place typically reserved for relaxing and unwinding, was now a place for concentration and productivity. I would laze around working from the couch, wasting time with my partner, and taking excessive coffee and food breaks.

Eventually, I realized I needed to set up a home office space, but the problem was that we lived in a tiny home. We had housemates, no spare rooms, and a crowded bedroom, so how was I going to go about creating a home office space in a cramped and shared environment?

I had to compromise with space to set up a small office in our cramped house, and after some adjustments to my desk location and setup, I ended up with a modest corner of productivity.

If you're struggling to work from home or you feel like you don't have enough space to, here are some quick and easy tips to make space for a home office:

1) Choose the right space

You don't want to set up your office in the lounge/living area if that's where the people in your home congregate. Sometimes that means converting your garage into an office space, and sometimes it means compromising with other spaces. You may want to find a little wall area in your room, settle in the far corner of the kitchen, or find a new use for a cupboard space by removing the doors.

2) Manage your cables

Nothing slows down productivity like a space that's messy and doesn't feel comfortable. Tuck your cables and wires away behind your desk and around the walls. You can use zip ties and even bread clips to help manage them and keep them from tangling up. Or, you can get some cable organizers. You'll be thanking yourself next time you move or clean up your office space.

The best home office setups are customized to suit the tastes of the people working there. You want to make the space feel yours by using colors that you associate with warmth and happiness. This encourages creativity, creates a sense of cohesiveness, and helps you feel calm and comfortable. Chaotic work environments with mix-matched colors can create a real feeling of hostility, making you uncomfortable and slowing down your overall productivity.

An important aspect of any office is access to sunlight. Sunlight improves your body's vitamin D levels which directly relate to happiness levels. Sunlight also maintains your body's circadian rhythm keeping you feeling awake. If you don't have a window space, you should light well with lamps. Or think about getting a light therapy lamp to combat seasonal affective disorder issues. Also, consider potted plants to oxygenate your space and keep you calm.

5) Water!

It may seem obvious, but keep a source of water nearby, whether it's a large bottle, a jug, or setting up near a tap. When you're working from home, like any other workplace, you need to stay hydrated, but regular trips to the kitchen can lead to distractions and procrastination.

6) Go tall

One of the best space ideas for a home office is to use the full height of your wall. Install shelving that goes high up, stack your drawers, and make use of the space below the desk. By building vertically instead of horizontally, you're still using the same amount of floor space in your home while optimizing storage space, keeping everything you need nearby.

7) Divide a space up

If you're really struggling with finding a room to set up your office, divide a space so it has multiple uses. You can easily split up a kitchen, bedroom, or living area. The key here is to keep your office space facing the rest of the room, as this makes you feel like you're in your own area. It's also recommended you choose office furniture and stationery that fit the look and colors of the room, so nothing stands out and feels strange about the space.

If you're beside yourself on what space to divide or there just isn't any room in your home, you may want consider constructing a tiny office.These can be set up on your property for reasonably low prices and mean you have your own private office space to avoid any distractions.

8) Ergonomics

It's important your home office computer setup is ergonomic. If you take shortcuts here, you could end up with long (and short) term problems. You'll want a chair with back support that's set up right. The chair's height should keep your eye level with your screen when your back is straight. Doing this encourages the flow of oxygen and blood which helps you think and helps with preventing back and shoulder problems.

9) Use storage creatively

Tidy spaces help keep your thought process clean and driven. Dividing drawers up, reusing jars, hanging hooks, or even repurposing wine racks are all creative ways to maximize your storage space. It's important to have storage space with all the supplies you need nearby, so you don't keep moving around the house to find your materials.

Remember to regularly clean your space and store your office items instead of cluttering up your desk as messy can quickly become the new normal.

10) Set boundaries with the people you share the space with

This may not be entirely home design related, but if your office is located in an area where your partner/family/housemates regularly access, it's a good idea to explain your need to disengage while you're working. This means working in areas of your home with less foot traffic and telling people to treat you as if you're in a professional environment (which you are).

It took me a long time to figure this one out, and it resulted in days wasted by distractions.

Knowing how to make a home office in a small space is a skill that's hard to acquire, especially if you're sharing your home with others. You need to balance the needs of your home and the needs of your work while making room for a space that's purely professional.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Tips For Creating a Home Office in a Small Space | West Coast Self-Storage

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
When I first started working from home, I found myself struggling to get anything done. This was mostly because I struggled to adjust to the fact that my home, a place typically reserved for relaxing and unwinding, was now a place for concentration and productivity.

# data[].attributes.body
Learning at home spaces and approaches

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Effective learning is a two-way process between the teacher and students, meaning both need to engage.

If a student simply sits and listens to new information without engaging or applying it, it's called passive learning. Active learning is where students engage with new learning making connections to concepts they have learned previously.

According to one of the world's leading university educators, Harvard University's Professor Eric Mazur, "interactive learning triples students' gains in knowledge".

Here are six things students can do while studying online to ensure they are learning actively and and making gains.

1. Organise a learning space and dress for learning

Balancing a laptop on your knees on your bed, or with the television on in the background, is not the best way to study. Students learn best when their learning space minimises distractions.

A good learning space has a table and chair, good lighting, good air flow, is away from distractions like television and noise, has good connectivity for digital devices, and is organised with the usual things students have at school such as pens, paper, calculator and others study materials.

Learning online is like being at school in that you need to be physically and mentally prepared to learn. One study suggests what you wear can affect your attention to a task. So it might help not to be in your pyjamas even if your study space is in your bedroom.

2. Organise your learning time

Students with good time management skills tend to do better academically.

There is no easy answer to how long students should be studying at home each day. Students should plan a study timetable dividing their day into learning, revision and rest blocks.

"Zoom fatigue" has been identified as an emerging problem with online studying and meetings caused by the different ways our brains process information delivered online. One suggestion is an online session should be no longer than 45 minutes with a 15-minute break.

Read more: Trying to homeschool because of coronavirus? Here are 5 tips to help your child learn

Back-to-back sessions should be avoided and the time between sessions should be used to step away from the computer to rest your brain, body and eyes. It is important to stand up and move around every 30 minutes.

Students should work with teachers to revise their schedule each day and stick to what works for them.

3. Manage distractions

Because students will be studying in an different space, they may get distracted by what other people are doing. If you can, share your study timetable with others in the house, and ask for their help to keep focused.

When you're in a learning block of time, turn off social media and close browser tabs you don't need. If you're using the Google Chrome browser, it has an extension called Stay Focusd. Students can use this to set the period of time to block potential distractions like notifications from Instagram, Snapchat and other applications.

If you are sharing a digital device with other family members, try to agree on a roster that fits with everyone's timetables. Work out who needs the device at specific times and put that time on a master timetable that is shared by everyone.

4. Take notes

Our memories are not stable and we frequently overestimate how much we can remember. We forget at least 40% of new information within the first 24 hours of first reading or hearing it. That's why it's important to take notes.

Shutterstock

Research is unclear about whether it is better to take notes digitally or by hand. Some researchers think it is a matter of preference.

The most important thing is to follow a good note-taking process. This involves:

writing an essential question that captures the key learning points of the topic

revising your notes. Use different colours and highlighters to make connections between chunks of information; add new ideas and write study questions in the margin. Compare notes with a study buddy to improve and learn from each other

writing a summary that links all the information together and answers the essential question you wrote down initially

revising your notes within 24 hours, seven days, and then each month until you are tested on that knowledge.

Read more: What's the best, most effective way to take notes?

5. Adopt a growth mindset

In the 1990s, American psychologist Carol Dweck developed the theory of the growth mindset.

It grew out of studies in which primary school children were engaged in a task, and then praised either for their existing capacities, such as intelligence, or the effort they invested in the task.

The students who were praised for their effort were more likely to persist with finding a solution to the task. They were also more likely to seek feedback about how to improve. Those praised for their intelligence were less likely to persist with the more difficult tasks and to seek feedback on how their peers did on the task.

Read more: You can do it! A 'growth mindset' helps us learn

The growth mindset assumes capacities can be developed or "grown" through learning and effort. So if you don't understand something straight away, working at it will help you get there.

If you are engaging in negative self-talk, change the words. For example, instead of saying, "This is too hard", try saying, "What haven't I tried yet to figure this out?"

6. Ask questions and collaborate

Ask teachers questions about anything that is unclear as soon as possible. Give teachers frequent feedback. Teachers appreciate suggestions that help improve student learning.

Set up online study groups. Learning is a social activity. We learn best by learning with others, and when learning is fun. Studying with friends helps clarify new concepts and language, and stay connected.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
So you're going to school online - here are 6 ways to make the most of it

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Effective learning is a two-way process between the teacher and students, meaning both need to engage. If a student simply sits and listens to new information without engaging or applying it, it's called passive learning. Active learning is where students engage with new learning making connections to concepts they have learned previously.

# data[].attributes.body
Resources to support learning at home and online

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.authors[].name
Queensland University of Technology (QUT)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Traditional classrooms are being transformed by technology. When it comes to digital learning, Dr Chris Blundell says the right strategies and tools can empower teachers to use technology in the classroom with confidence and success. Other episodes address topics including Indigenous perspectives, language, art, friendship and voice.

# data[].attributes.body
* To browse - scroll columns.
* To post a Padlet - click on the + button above the relevant column (I'll approve it in a few days).
* Feel free to add a comment under posts.

# data[].attributes.body
Thinking about working from home long-term? 3 ways it could be good or bad for your health (Kulik, C T  & Sinha, R, (10 July 2020).

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The coronavirus pandemic has forced many of us to work from home, often in less than ideal circumstances.

Many employees had little choice in the decision, limited time to prepare, patchy technology skills, and inadequate home workspaces. Some managers neglected remote workers, while others zealously monitored them.

And yet some people thrived. Having tried it, many employees anticipate they will continue to work from home, and value employers who encourage it.

So if you decide to continue working from home after the pandemic, is it good or bad for your health in the long run?

Read more: Coronavirus could spark a revolution in working from home. Are we ready?

1. Less fit or more fit?

Easy access to snacks meant some employees may have gained weight while working from home during the pandemic. Some employees stared at their screen for hours, sitting in awkward positions with no breaks.

Excessive screen time can damage the retina, and poorly designed workspaces can generate back pain and stress injuries. In the long run, sedentary behaviour is associated with a range of physical health problems, including higher cancer risks.

Reuters/Abdel Hadi Ramahi

But properly supported working from home could improve employees' health. It enables them to work toward aspirational fitness goals by scheduling workouts at convenient times.

It creates opportunities for employees to take breaks from the laptop to toss in a load of laundry, take the dog for a quick walk, vacuum the carpets, or do a few stretches in another room. Small bits of activity, interspersed throughout the day, have long-term positive impacts on physical and psychological health. Ten minutes of energetically climbing the stairs in your house could boost your lung capacity and raise your spirits.

Achieving those benefits requires employees to have control over their work schedule. Organisations can help by providing resources to design better home workspaces and software that nudges employees to take breaks throughout the day.

2. More free time, or just more time working?

Commuting - especially by car in dense communities - exposes employees to air pollution and raises their risk of respiratory or cardiovascular problems. In theory, working from home should let employees breathe easier, both physically and psychologically. Avoiding the commute saves time and money, two crucial resources that can be channelled to improve the quality of employees' personal lives.

However, the commute serves a valuable function that is often overlooked. It gives employees time to transition between work and non-work roles, which is especially important for people in difficult service and professional jobs.

The loss of a 30-minute commute can blur boundaries and increase stress spillover between work and non-work. When we lose the defined "buffer zone" of a commute, too often the "saved time" is gobbled up by more work. Long work hours are associated with more stress, lower-quality sleep and higher blood pressure.

Working from home therefore needs to incorporate transitional periods that substitute for a commute. This might be as simple as a walk around the block before sitting down at the desk, or doing a meditation practice before cooking dinner.

Organisations need to respect role boundaries too. This involves clarifying when employees need to be available, and establishing clear policies about email and phone access outside business hours.

3. Less distraction, or lonely and disconnected?

Working from home can create opportunities for employees to engage in " deep work " - focusing on a demanding task without distraction. It helps employees fully engage with their work when they are working, and be more psychologically present with their family when they are not working.

Employees who work from home can intersperse their work and family time to benefit the entire family, for example by using a work break to read a story or share a meal. Quality moments of connection with parents have a more significant impact on children's academic achievement, behaviour, and emotional well-being than the quantity of interactions.

Shutterstock

But not every employee has those close family relationships, and contact with coworkers can be an essential source of support for many workers. Employees who participate in office small talk experience more positive emotions, go out of their way to help coworkers, and end the workday in a better frame of mind.

The spontaneity of office small talk is hard to replicate in a virtual context, so employees working from home can experience loneliness. This can lead to depression, insomnia, and substance abuse. In terms of death and disease, loneliness is in the same league as smoking, obesity and alcoholism.

Read more: In praise of the office: let's learn from COVID-19 and make the traditional workplace better

Organisations can help by providing "virtual cafés" to foster informal interactions. Research also recommends hybrid models of remote work that can achieve the benefits of working from home (more focused time for deep work) alongside those of the office environment (more collaboration with coworkers). For example, employees might work from home four days a week, with the fifth day in the office.

Employees need to be supported

Working from home is not always better or worse for an employee's health than traditional office arrangements.

It will be most beneficial when employees make wise decisions about their time, and employers provide support in the form of technology, ergonomic equipment, and managers trained to supervise remote workers.

Most importantly, when employees are given choice over the schedule and location of their work, the psychological, physical and productivity benefits can double.

Read more: Working from home: what are your employer's responsibilities, and what are yours?
This article is supported by the Judith Neilson Institute for Journalism and Ideas.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Thinking about working from home long-term? 3 ways it could be good or bad for your health

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The coronavirus pandemic has forced many of us to work from home, often in less than ideal circumstances. Many employees had little choice in the decision, limited time to prepare, patchy technology skills, and inadequate home workspaces. Some managers neglected remote workers, while others zealously monitored them. And yet some people thrived.

# data[].attributes.body
Amazing work space versatility of journos & broadcasters keeping us all informed in challenging times & conditions.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
As a member of the Federal Parliamentary Press Gallery, ABC journalist Anna Henderson usually spends her days scuttling around the often-crowded corridors of Parliament House in Canberra, bunched in among colleagues at doorstops and media conferences, and filing stories from the close quarters of the busy, open-plan ABC bureau.

Now, in the weird world of coronavirus, she's covering federal politics from her home, with a young but very loyal audience watching on.

"Having two kids, a three-year-old and a one-year-old, can make working from home a challenge and a juggle at the best of times - sometimes Play School does trump ABC News!" says Henderson.

"I have discovered the best quality studio setting for me to file radio voice reports is under the doona in my three-year-old's bedroom.

"My husband is in the building industry and has also been working from home, so he has been co-opted helping me get the news to air a few times, or to keep an eye on little people so they don't photobomb a live cross.

"Our household did completely run out of toilet paper a few weeks ago and my portable set-up travelled with me from supermarket to supermarket looking for supplies.

"I was using the car radio and my laptop to monitor and file stories from carparks as I continued my search!"

Usually manned by up to 32 journalists, the ABC's Canberra bureau now has less than half that number in the office.

The rest of the team is split between their homes and the ABC's Northbourne studios to prevent infection wiping out the entire team.

Henderson has a mini studio set up in her lounge room, with a simple iPhone camera, tripod and an earpiece to provide live crosses to the ABC News channel.

She also has some of her own kit, including a portable green screen onto which a suitable Canberra backdrop can be superimposed, if required.

"At home, I can file almost everything that I would be producing in the office - live television crosses, radio news voice reports and breaking online news - and that is incredible," she says.

"I can record, monitor and edit audio at home, and file radio news stories through my laptop directly to every ABC newsroom in the country, allowing bureaus access for the next hour's news bulletin.

"While it's a little more cumbersome than the office, I can watch raw video material and write television scripts remotely and I can use Skype to dial in to ABC's News channel and provide live television crosses from our lounge room.

"With the click of a button I can send breaking news alerts from home that hit the inboxes of every ABC News colleague and inform live television, radio and digital news reporting.

"We instituted a daily video call to keep in touch and so everyone has a chance to say hi, discuss stories and show off their leisure wear.

"A huge shout out to my colleagues in the office planning the coverage and coordinating all the tentacles from afar - none of the work from home set up would function without that management to make sure we don't miss stories and avoid overlaps and double ups.

"While working from home we have also added some extra checks of each other's work, to ensure we maintain the highest standards of accuracy despite being physically distant."

Hoping the dog won't bark on air

Local radio presenters and producers in metropolitan and regional centres are also split between home and the office.

Broadcasting from his house has been a technical adventure for ABC Sydney Afternoons presenter Richard Glover.

"Broadcasting from home has gone better than we all expected, partly because Matt and Steve in ABC Radio Sydney have the patience of saints when it comes to instructing an idiot, who had become severely tangled in cables, while trying to work out what to plug in where," says Glover.

"I am aware of the added pressure that it puts on my producers, as it removes one set of hands (mine) from the studio, which means they have to do my job as well as their own.

"On the other hand, as a 61-year-old asthmatic I'm quite grateful to increase my social distance from them to about 10 kilometres.

"The upside is avoiding the virus (and maybe also avoiding what's left of Sydney's commuter traffic.)

"The downside is that normally my producers pretend to laugh at my jokes.

"I do miss the support, even if it's contrived.

"The dog hasn't barked on air yet, but give him time. First time he does it, I think the audience will enjoy it. After that, he's on the thin ice."

We thought the bushfires were a nightmare, this is bigger

Charged with providing critical information to the public, the ABC is deemed an essential service and as the coronavirus threat increased in early February a team of key managers (Incident Management Team) was set up to plan how to keep the national broadcaster on air and online.

"We thought January was a nightmare and it was. The bushfire coverage was completely all encompassing but this is bigger," says Eric Napper, head of News Operations and Projects.

"This has such an economic and social impact that I can't think of a time when we would have had a more important story to cover than this one - ever.

"I wasn't around during World War II but the comparisons to being on wartime footing ring true to me."

If covering the story wasn't a big enough challenge, like businesses and institutions across the country, the ABC has had to undertake a massive reorganisation of its workforce and workflows - pretty much overnight.

"In the early days we were very concerned about the potential impact on our staff and our services by someone contracting the virus and bringing it into the building and the level of tension and anxiety in our teams was very high," says Napper.

"But we've planned around that, we now have contingencies in place.

"Our teams are really committed to helping Australians understand what's going on and as a management team we are focussed on making sure they can get on and do their job as best they can while supporting them with family or health needs."

The risk to operations was brought home on March 24 when SBS was forced to shut down its Sydney newsroom after a staff member tested positive to COVID-19.

To reduce the chance of that happening, the ABC asked all staff who can work from home to do so, secondary newsrooms that are isolated from each other have been set up, and those who need to come into the office are spread out.

Now, at least 60 per cent of staff are working offsite and that's meant a huge technological rollout of laptops, software and pop-up studios.

"For ABC Radio we've pulled together existing computer, technical and broadcast gear and have ordered more, to enable radio program presenters and producers to work from home as needed," says Warwick Tiernan, head of Capital City Network.

"We've also needed to train these content makers in how to use the gear offsite to broadcast and have also run technical trials from their homes.

"Happily, they've all gone pretty well.

"We've also looked at splitting teams between home and the studio, have alternated program teams across multiple studios to ensure distancing and isolation, and planned networking and staffing contingencies.

"And we're doing interviews over the phone rather than in the studios."

"In the News division, essentially people who need to stand in front of microphone or a camera are the only ones who are still coming into the ABC studios," says Napper.

"So, studio TV broadcasting, like the News Channel, is still done on base, most of our radio broadcasters are still on base - and also key Digital teams.

"This has encouraged us to innovate and we have found new ways of working.

"We are rolling out mobile kits that allow more journalists and presenters to broadcast from home, thanks to a fantastic effort from our technology team which has had to move really quickly."

"For example, News Breakfast's Paul Kennedy is presenting his sport section from home using what's known as a Live-U app on his mobile phone.

"Alan Kohler has gone a step further and is presenting his nightly finance report from a mini green screen studio in his house.

"The other thing our audience will notice is the widespread use of video conferencing technology, like Skype and Zoom, to do interviews due to social distancing rules and people being nervous about interacting with journalists and camera crews.

"It's been quite a dramatic shift in a technical and production sense and it's quite a different dynamic talking to someone face to face compared to talking to them over a video call, but I think our audience accepts and understands why it's happening."

Filming from a distance

Camera crews can still film in the field but they're operating under strict social distancing guidelines.

"It's pretty different," says Adelaide-based News cameraman Lincoln Rothall.

"I'm used to being in a scrum of media at press conferences or doorstops with everyone crowded around, it's like a contact sport, fighting for the best spot!

"Now, keeping a 1.5-metre distance is the rule of thumb so networks are pooling and sending one camera to shoot for everyone.

"If we do an interview with someone it's outdoors, I put a microphone on a stand, walk back to the camera, set up a couple of metres away and then the 'talent' walks up to the microphone and we record the interview."

Rothall has been teamed up to work exclusively with journalist Claire Campbell.

They're staying out of the ABC office and working and filing from Claire's home.

One of the most challenging shoots was with a British couple who was in quarantine after contracting COVID-19.

"We had to interview the couple on the balcony of the place where they were staying," recalls Rothall.

"I filmed from a distance and Claire rang them on the phone to ask the questions.

"We couldn't get close enough to mic them up, so we asked them to record the interview on their iPad and after the interview they airdropped it to us and we synched up the audio when editing the story.

"Filming overlay was tricky as I was filming through a fence and trying to direct them into position.

"It was hard because we usually spend a lot of time making people feel comfortable and relaxed, but this doesn't really work when you're shouting instructions through a fence at someone who's just been diagnosed with COVID-19."

People featured in a story are helping to film it

Recruiting talent to help in the filmmaking process has been necessary across programs.

"We are seeing a lot more use of user-generated content," says Napper.

"7.30, for example, in addition to news breaking and political coverage, has been very successful in calling for content from their audiences, and audiences have been more than willing to accommodate.

"We've seen videos sent in from children sending messages to grandparents and teachers to their students.

"The team has produced a wide variety of stories utilising footage shot by people on their mobile phones, delivered to the ABC over the internet and put together by the program's editors.

"They've been able to capture the human experience of coronavirus by producing stories in different ways."

Producing longer-form programs, such as Australian Story, Foreign Correspondent and Four Corners, in which high-quality camerawork is a critical part of the storytelling, has been even more difficult and teams are variously utilising Skype calls and phone diaries or filming with their own crews operating under physical distancing guidelines.

"On the production front, coronavirus has thrown up huge challenges," says Four Corners supervising producer Morag Ramsay.

"It's meant we have had to find a way of adapting at every single stage of the production process - from how and where we work, to how we film and how we edit and deliver our stories to get to air.

"In a lot of instances, we are asking people who we interview to record themselves and send it to us, in order to get the best quality.

"The most dramatic physical change has been to move our edit suites offsite.

"We've rebuilt five of them in the houses and apartments of our incredible editing team.

"It's one thing to work from home, it's another to set up a whole edit system in whatever space you can find.

"That is certainly taking one for the team!

"But we love a challenge! We are constantly trying to find ways of challenging the medium, so in some ways this is no different.

"It simply means we have to be more creative and inventive than ever.

"We can still investigate in the time of coronavirus and believe me we are!"

The biggest story we'll ever cover

Newsgathering, regardless of the platform, is a collaborative process so not having face-to-face contact and being able to have quick and easy conversations with colleagues is one thing splintered teams are missing.

"Normally most people don't say 'I love a meeting' but one of the highlights of my day is our all staff daily video call," says Ramsay.

"Anyone on the team who wants to join in can, and we talk about anything and everything.

"The other day we all introduced our pets to each other.

"It sounds silly, but those small moments of happiness make a big difference."

And, like the rest of the community, perhaps the biggest challenge is coping with the scale of the pandemic and its long and widespread impact.

"This is definitely the biggest story I will ever cover in my lifetime," says Rothall.

"I've just returned to Adelaide after working in the ABC's London bureau where I'd be flying in and out of Europe and the Middle East, covering terrorist attacks, natural disasters, Brexit.

"But I was just reporting on the story, I was separated from it, I could fly home and leave the story behind.

"With coronavirus we are living with it as well as reporting on it.

"It's inescapable and it's all consuming."

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
'Sometimes Play School trumps ABC News': Reporting and broadcasting from home under coronavirus restrictions

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
As a member of the Federal Parliamentary Press Gallery, ABC journalist Anna Henderson usually spends her days scuttling around the often-crowded corridors of Parliament House in Canberra, bunched in among colleagues at doorstops and media conferences, and filing stories from the close quarters of the busy, open-plan ABC bureau.

# data[].attributes.body
LEaRN Crowdsourcing Initiative -

When home becomes school: Top tips for creating engaging learning spaces

# data[].attributes.headline
What colours work for a small work space at home?

# data[].attributes.subject
What colours work for a small work space at home?

# data[].attributes.headline
Suggestions please for minimising distractions in a shared work space at home ... 

# data[].attributes.subject
Suggestions please for minimising distractions in a shared work space at home ... 

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Home offices are as much a part of the modern home as formal dining rooms these days - in fact, many of us repurpose underused dining areas as workspaces! A home office can be set up within almost any room. Small study areas in bedrooms are commonplace, double workspaces pop up in living rooms to accommodate demand, and even the kitchen often has more than one kind of 'worktop'. Once you've found a good spot, what about the colour scheme, desk design, chair style, shelving needs, and storage furniture to keep the whole thing neat and tidy enough to live with full time? Here are 51 of our favourite workspace designs to get you started.

Recommended Reading:
50 Modern Home Office Desks
30 Stylish Home Office Desk Chairs
50 Modern Home Office Design Ideas

Did you like this article?

Share it on any of the following social media channels below to give us your vote. Your feedback helps us improve.

Other related interior design ideas you might enjoy

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
51 Home Workspace Designs With Ideas, Tips And Accessories To Help You Design Yours

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Home offices are as much a part of the modern home as formal dining rooms these days - in fact, many of us repurpose underused dining areas as workspaces! A home office can be set up within almost any room.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Time to work on your home office design, because we've got ideas to help you create the perfect set-up for home business and study. Take the work out of creating your home office, whether your living space is small or large. When it comes to home office inspiration, we have the style, décor and ideas to make your office interior design a labour of love.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Working from home? Our great home office ideas in our IKEA rooms gallery will take all the work out of getting the right home office design for you. We include fluid ways of working with chairs, adjustable desks, and rollable storage units to promote a work-life balance.

# data[].attributes.body
People are sharing photos of their 'unglamorous' work-from-home spaces as offices shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic (Anneeta Konstantinides, 19 March 2020)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
A Twitter thread has inspired people to share their "unglamorous" work-from-home setups as offices continue to close due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Jules Forrest told Insider that she started the thread as a "funny contrast" after seeing people post their "thoughtfully-designed home office setups."

People shared photos of makeshift desks that included laundry baskets, recycling bins, washing machines, and a tiny children's piano.

Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

As offices around the world close their doors and people begin working from home due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, many are showing off their beautiful work setups.

But not everyone is typing away or taking calls in perfectly color-coordinated spaces, with artwork hanging on the walls and fresh flowers in beautiful vases.

Many took to Twitter to share their "unglamorous" home offices, creating makeshift desks using everything from laundry baskets and recycling bins to washing machines and a tiny children's piano.

The Twitter thread was created by Jules Forrest, who shared a photo of her laptop on a clothes hamper with a chair pushed up against the front door of her studio apartment.

-Jules Forrest (@julesforrest) March 13, 2020

Forrest's tweet inspired numerous people to share their own very creative work spaces at home.

-Josh Mateo (@joshmateo) March 13, 2020

-Jimmy Mooney (@jimmy0x52) March 14, 2020

-Sabrina Monarch - Astrologer (@sabrina_monarch) March 13, 2020

-Bae_leee (@BAE_leee) March 13, 2020

Forrest told Insider that she was inspired to start the thread after she saw "a lot of people on Twitter posting very nice and thoughtfully-designed home office setups."

"I thought it would be a funny contrast to post something that was totally the opposite, because I knew plenty of people must be as unprepared for the extended work from home situation as I was," she added.

Forrest said she usually works from the couch in her studio, unless she and her partner both have meetings at the same time.

"When that happens, I go to the furthest corner of our small studio apartment and use the hamper," she said. "It's proved to be a good table substitute. Over the weekend, we set up a laptop on it next to the kitchen table so we could have 'dinner' with friends on FaceTime."

-Laura (@LaLorenz) March 13, 2020

-Larry Cornett (@cornett) March 14, 2020

-Camilla Ferrell (@cmaferrell) March 13, 2020

-Nathan Hood Real Estate (@nathanhood) March 14, 2020

Forrest said she wasn't very shocked that her thread went viral "given the scale of the whole situation," but she was definitely impressed by people's work-from-home setups.

"I was more surprised at how creative some of the solutions were," she said. "Especially the people who were using ironing boards as adjustable height desks."

Brad Cahoon was one of the many people who responded to the thread, sharing a picture of a standing desk that he made out of packs of toilet paper from Costco.

-Brad Cahoon (@iambradcahoon) March 13, 2020

Cahoon, an online business owner and father of three boys, told Insider that working from home has been a juggling act.

"I'm constantly switching from task to task like monitoring my ads costs, playing Legos, and making sure my employees are taken care of," he said.

"At the end of the day, my wife and I are just worn out," he added. "Our home setup is 100% utilitarian right now, and I think that helps us feel a bit more in control during a time of worldwide uncertainty."

Sandy also commented on the thread, sharing a photo of her "fancy treadmill desk."

-🌊 twiztwit (@twiztwit) March 13, 2020

Sandy told Insider that she normally relies on her commute to get her steps in and was "bummed" that she would lose the exercise while working from home. But then, she got an idea.

"The treadmill was staring at me from the other room," she said. "I started taking calls without the shelf. Then I wanted my iPad or laptop during calls. So I asked my husband to scrounge around for a scrap of wood."

Sandy said she's "kind of a homebody" and doesn't mind being at home but that her two children, aged 17 and 20, are "driving me nuts."

"They're suddenly bored doing the same things they always do!" she added.

But Sandy said she believes that sharing "unglamorous" work-from-home spaces is a way to find connection during these difficult times.

"We're all in this together," she said. "It helps to commiserate."

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
People are sharing photos of their 'unglamorous' work-from-home spaces as offices shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A Twitter thread has inspired people to share their "unglamorous" work-from-home setups as offices continue to close due to the coronavirus pandemic. Jules Forrest told Insider that she started the thread as a "funny contrast" after seeing people post their "thoughtfully-designed home office setups."

# data[].attributes.body
Some desk setup inspiration for those working from home

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
We've detected that JavaScript is disabled in this browser. Please enable JavaScript or switch to a supported browser to continue using twitter.com. You can see a list of supported browsers in our Help Center.
Help Center

# data[].attributes.body
Desk height calculator

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Workplace Planner: Desk Height Calculator | Ergotron

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This quick and easy tool will help you set up your workstation to place your keyboard, monitor and computer in the optimal ergonomic position.

# data[].attributes.body
DIY standing desks

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
If you're interested in a standing desk, chances are you've discovered they aren't exactly cheap. While some options like standing desk converters that rest on an existing desk can be less than $150, most standing desk products start at $200 and go up, with full stand-alone desks often costing between $400 and $1000. Although standing desks are constantly getting less expensive, there are some DIY options that will save you money without much compromise.

There are a variety of reasons to take on a project yourself but most DIY'ers will build their standing desks solutions to save costs but as you will see from our list, some options will end up costing much more than alternatives you can buy. Besides costs, some people opt to build their desk to add a touch of personalization. Building your own enables you to choose your own materials, colors, and finish. You may also have a unique situation with your work or home office that rules out a lot of products due to their size.

Before you start looking for ideas for your DIY standing desk it's important to consider a few factors about standing desks, costs, ergonomics and the ability to adjust the height:

Costs - bear in mind standing desks are becoming cheaper and cheaper, especially standing desk converters. Depending on the supplies needed to build your own you can easily exceed the cost of simply buying a standing desk converter

Ergonomics - Many standing desk companies invest considerable research and development into understanding ergonomics and ensuring their products are comfortable and help maintain good posture. When building your own, it can be easy to overlook these features.

Height Adjustment - transitioning from sitting to standing is an important consideration when building your own standing desk. Many options we've discovered are not adjustable. While standing all the time is possible for some, it is usually not very sustainable. Transitioning back and forth between sitting and standing also offers extra movement variability an important practice for standing.

Consider Your Ideal Desk Height - If you are considering a DIY standing desk make sure you brush up on proper workplace ergonomics. In short, you'll want the height of the typing surface to be just under the bend in your elbows.

Found On: Simplehomesimplelife.com

While a dresser may not appear to be a good standing desk it can actually work pretty well depending on the dresser height relative to your own height. Pictured above is a great execution of this DIY. The creator of this desk even considered their own ergonomic height for typing and installed boards to raise the desk surface. This solution may not work if you are short with a taller dresser or tall with a shorter dresser. If you do have a dresser it's worth considering if you are on a tight budget and want to stand while you work.

The DIY solution coined the "IKEA Converter" is an extremely creative and simple idea. By combining a cheap IKEA side table with a shelf you get an ergonomic two-level standing desk converter. The best part of this approach is being able to adjust the height of the shelf/keyboard tray to your height and ideal posture. While this solution doesn't allow you to sit down easily it does allow you to stand with good ergonomics on a very tight budget.

Buying a standing desk frame and sourcing your own desk is a good compromise. You get the benefits of electric adjustment, memory settings and stability with the potential to save money building or sourcing your own tabletop surface. This method also allows you to size the tabletop appropriately to the area. We will admit from the first-hand experience that building the tabletop yourself eats up most of the cost savings, even with a cheap wood like pine. However, if you have an existing desktop surface or a cheap way of acquiring one this can be among the least expensive full standing desk solutions we've seen. For this project, we used the Titan Fitness frame which you can find on Amazon. It's still one of the cheapest frames we've come across and a great value for the Do-It-Yourselfer.

We had an "ah-ha" moment when we found this standing desk idea. By pairing a drafting chair with a tall fixed height desk you simply hop on and off your chair whenever you want to sit or stand. We consider this one of the best DIY solutions out there, especially for those with tall desktop surfaces like a kitchen island, dresser or console table. While getting on and off a drafting chair may be harder than a normal sitting height desk this solution doesn't have many compromises compared to a fully adjustable standing desk or converter. Some drafting chairs can even be used at normal chair height, doubling for use with any normal desk surface in your home or office. The chair pictured above is from Flash Furniture and they have launched an updated version on Amazon

Found on: Dannickerson.com

Want to stand but your desk is too short? Make it taller by adding something below the feet. In most cases, your standing desk height is only 12" to 14" taller than your sitting desk height. If you have a way to raise your desk that height this can be a great way to try standing. This isn't the most graceful looking solution but does work and doesn't reduce desk surface area like other solutions that go on top of your desk.

We love this fully adjustable electric standing desk. It's made of affordable materials and would likely save you some money over buying a full standing desk with similar features. While it would take a lot of skill (as evidenced by the video on Youtube) it would be doable for someone with the right tools, patience, and attention to detail.

This quite possibly the most impressive handcrafted standing desk we've seen. It rivals the finish, function, looks, and durability of the most expensive manufactured standing desks we've reviewed. While this is a desk you can buy on liftbridgefurniture.com this is also something you could attempt yourself... If you're an expert woodworker that is. As you can see in the video building this desk to this level of finish requires experience and a full woodworking shop. Plans for building this desk are also for sale if you're up to the challenge!

Found on: Youtube.com

This cantilever operated standing desk is one of the most unique solutions we've seen and we love it. Not only is it free of motors, cables or actuators, but it also has built-in memory settings by design. The user can always return to the perfect sitting and standing position. Manual manually operated standing desks often lack this ability. Building this would obviously be very difficult but extremely useful and likely to last a lifetime. Woodworking plans for this desk are available at mechanicallumber.com

Cost: Medium
Difficulty: Medium
Ergonomics: High
Value for Money: High

Mobile workstations have great utility for anyone that spends a lot of time on their feet. What you sacrifice in desk space you gain in mobility. This hand made mobile workstation is amazing and it is something that you can tackle yourself. Like some of the other handmade wood desks on our list, plans are available to build this but the design is simple enough that you could create your own interpretation.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Complete Guide to DIY Standing Desks

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
If you're interested in a standing desk, chances are you've discovered they aren't exactly cheap. While some options like standing desk converters that rest on an existing desk can be less than $150, most standing desk products start at $200 and go up, with full stand-alone desks often costing between $400 and $1000.

# data[].attributes.body
The benefits of working from home during the COVID-19 level 4 lockdown (Sarah Templeton,

30 March/2020)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Improved productivity

Working in an office or busy workplace can mean having to work around the distractions of a shared space or team. But working remotely gives us the chance to change up our space, schedule, and ways of working.

Depending on your situation, working from home could mean fewer interruptions from colleagues dropping by with gossip or problems, or the rush of people coming and going at peak times. Having said that, you may of course find yourself getting distracted by family or flatmates. Establish working from home boundaries so they can help respect your need for focus at critical times.

You'll also be able to make your workspace comfortable and effective for you - whether that's replicating an office set-up with a swivel chair and desk or opting for your couch.

The way you work could be more streamlined - a meeting might become an email; a long meeting a quick video check-in. There might be more time to plan out and prepare what you need before starting out on a task.

Your breaks can also involve things you couldn't do at your workplace, like playing an instrument or cuddling your pet. That's more refreshing than sitting in a communal break room.

Increased job satisfaction

Job satisfaction is a powerful thing. It can help you be more productive, keep you feeling engaged and motivated, and generally makes teams happier and more effective.

Flexible working arrangements - such as working from home - are considered the top work perk by around 59 percent of employees, according to SEEK research. Those who have them are reportedly more satisfied with their jobs.

Just be sure to stay connected with your colleagues, take breaks and make the most of your home set-up.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The benefits of working from home during the COVID-19 level 4 lockdown

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Working in an office or busy workplace can mean having to work around the distractions of a shared space or team. But working remotely gives us the chance to change up our space, schedule, and ways of working.

# data[].attributes.body
Working from home during coronavirus shutdown? These hacks may help ease the pain of your home office (Genelle Weule, March31, 2020)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Kitchen benchtops and dining room tables around Australia have become workspaces as office workers have been advised to work from home in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.

Where the opportunity to work from home in your PJs might have once seemed like a treat, the rapid shift to working from home - if that is even an option for you - is challenging.

Suddenly, you may find yourself working in the same space as your family, bent over a laptop instead of sitting or standing at a dedicated workstation with ergonomic equipment.

The combination of long hours on a laptopon the kitchen table can be both physically and psychologically stressful over the long haul.

"It's worth investing some time thinking about how to make this work to protect your physical and mental wellbeing," said Jodi Oakman, who leads the Centre for Ergonomics and Human Factors at La Trobe University.

Here are some tips and hacks that may help you make your home workspace healthier, keeping in mind it may not be possible to set up the ideal workstation in the current crisis.

"Quite simple, relatively low-cost things can actually make a significant difference."

Sitting vs standing

Some people prefer to sit, others prefer to stand but if there's one piece of advice Dr Oakman wanted to highlight it is to move, move, move.

"Both sitting and standing for long periods of time is problematic," she said.

Ideally, she said, you should alternate between sitting and standing.

In either position there are some basic rules to try to follow:

You should maintain a symmetrical body position - do not cross your legs, or lean over or twist your body

Your arms should be above the desk. A good way of checking this is making sure your arms are flat on the surface when your elbows are 90 degrees and tucked into your side

Your screen/keyboard/work surface should be directly in front of you

If you use two screens they should be at a similar height and side by side to avoid too much twisting

Your eyes should be level with the top - or just below the top - of your screen

Your screen should be about an arm's length away from you

Your hips should be flexed between 90 to 110 degrees if you are sitting

You should have support in the lower part of your back if you are sitting to help prevent fatigue

Your feet should be flat on the floor (or resting on a footrest to keep your hips bent in the right position).

Not surprisingly, it is impossible to achieve this position with just a laptop.

"Because they're a smaller screen that is fixed to the keyboard it forces you into a flexed position so your head and back are bent or flexed," Dr Oakman said.

Added to that, your average kitchen chair just doesn't cut it.

"Kitchen chairs are often too low to sit at kitchen tables for most people, so that impacts your elbow and neck."

Take regular breaks

When we work from home we become a lot more sedentary.

"We don't have to walk and get a coffee, or speak to someone on a different floor, or catch public transport," Dr Oakman said.

So we need to put triggers in place to remind us to move and break up the day.

This is important for everyone, but particularly if you are working at a far-from-ideal workstation.

"Work out what might work for you to signal those breaks. Some people use devices to set alarms or get up on the hour to do something."

Staring at a screen for long periods of time can also irritate your eyes so it is recommended that you:

Look at something in the distance every 20 minutes or so

Remind yourself to blink regularly

General exercise is important too.

"Both for immunity but also to help protect against being sedentary at your makeshift desk which may or may not be as good as at work."

Workstation tips and hacks

Not everyone will be fortunate enough to have a proper desk, chair and computer screen in their home, but there are some ways you may be able to improve your makeshift office.

(These are general tips and may not work for everyone. You should see if your employer has requirements such as a checklist you need to follow and, if you need specific advice, get in touch with a qualified health professional.)

If you have a limited budget just having an external keyboard and mouse for your laptop will make a big difference, Dr Oakman said.

"Having a separate peripherals gives you a lot more flexibility."

"Just get your keyboard and mouse and then you can build [a sitting or standing station] around it.

Once you've got a separate keyboard and mouse you can raise the height of your laptop on a pile of books to get it to the right height.

Laptops often have small screens which can be an issue for some people, so a separate screen is also a good idea.

If you can't afford to buy one or there's none left on the shelves, Dr Oakman suggested negotiating with your employer to borrow a screen. Another option is to use a small TV screen if you have a spare or bump up the font size to make it easier to read.

If you're planning to do most of your work sitting down Dr Oakman said having an adjustable chair - even a cheap one - is a good idea. This can help make sure you are working at a good height and your back is supported.

Alternatively, ask if you can borrow your chair from your employer, she suggested.

If that's not possible, use the tallest chair you have - but not a stool - and put something on it so you're sitting at the right height.

"And if you need to have a footstool, find something an old shoe box, books, whatever you've got that fills in that gap between your feet and your floor."

You will also need a lumbar support but using a rolled-up towel should be the last resort, Dr Oakman said.

"Towels flatten out, they move around and they are hard to get right, so they're really only good for the short term while you find something more sustainable."

Using a headset or earphones for calls will allow you to get up and walk around, and you can tune out background noises.

"Lots of people already have that with their phones but that can be quite useful, particularly because most of us are doing meetings now for hours online."

"If you do your calls standing up and your work sitting down it gives you that flexibility of movement."

Where to set up your workstation

If you have a choice of where to set up, lighting is important.

Preferably you need to orientate yourself so that you don't get too much light on the screen, particularly if it is a laptop which can be harder to see.

"Don't have direct light on your screen but have light coming in over your shoulder, have an overhead light, or use a task light or desk lamp."

If you prefer to have your screen in front of a window so you can stare into the distance keep in mind it may increase the screen contrast. In this case use blinds to control the direction of the light.

Setting boundaries between work and home

Finally, THE most important aspect of working from home is to set boundaries.

"A lot of us like to keep a semblance of separation [between home and work] and that can be very difficult now because we're all here at home coupled with the fact we're not going out," Dr Oakman said.

Working from home also means we can end up working much longer days.

Setting up a designated space can signal when you are and aren't working.

While some people may be fortunate enough to have an office, others will be negotiating space in shared rooms.

Dr Oakman said strategies such as moving the workstation to the end of the table, putting it away or covering it up at the end of the day can help to signal when you are and aren't working to others.

It also gives yourself permission to say 'I've done enough' for the day, she said.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Sitting or standing? Table or bench? How to get your home office set-up right

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Kitchen benchtops and dining room tables around Australia have become workspaces as office workers have been advised to work from home in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. Where the opportunity to work from home in your PJs might have once seemed like a treat, the rapid shift to working from home - if that is even an option for you - is challenging.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
As we get into the routine of Learning at Home there are some things our families might like to consider when setting up a space for learning at home.

Most families will not have the luxury of lots of space to dedicate to learning at home. Don't worry, you can use the corner of a room or be totally flexible with fold up chairs and tables, or a lap table for learning time. Some of our families are dedicating the end of the kitchen table or bench for learning with a table cloth to show which space is for learning and which is for other activities. You may consider setting up a learning box which has all your child's learning resources in it, and so when it is learning time the box comes out. Equally when the learning is finished the box is packed neatly away under the bed or in a corner of the house.

The most important thing is to show how much you care about education by dedicating time and space that is the same every day. A specific routine is key.

Remove Distractions

After you have dedicated a space for learning at home the next thing to do is to remove distractions. Toys, supplies and other objects can be distracting for children. A learning space that is free of clutter will help your child to focus on the learning.

Comfort

In order to spend the maximum amount of time learning children need to be comfortable. Consider the needs of your child in his/her learning space. Children may like to lie on the couch to read a book. Some children may like a weighted blanket if they are feeling stressed. You know your child best and what may help him/her to maximise learning time.

Lighting

Make sure your child's learning space is well lit, however don't be surprised if he/she prefers more muted lighting. Natural light is best for learning.

Books

The more books you have in your house the better. Children learn best in houses with lots of books. If you need more books you can join our local Mundijong Library online and access their ebook collection, https://serpentine.spydus.com/. If you need help with this please do not hesitate to contact us at school through our website link http://woodlandgroveps.wa.edu.au/contact-us/ or with a simple phone call - 9526 4000 and ask to speak to our Technical Support Officer.

Stimulation

It is important to make the learning space in your home a motivating and stimulating place for your child to learn. Some great ways to do this include hanging posters and pictures that promote positive message. This may include; a world map, a numbers poster a positive message about learning. Your child will have some ideas about how he/she would like the space to look. It is a wonderful way to work with your child and help him/her set up his/her special place for learning.

Enjoy

The most important thing is to relax and enjoy this time with your child/ren. We are all in this together and learning how to do school at home through distance education. At Woodland Grove we really appreciate your feedback so do not hesitate to let us know how you are feeling and what is working for you and what is frustrating.

Ideas

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
As we get into the routine of Learning at Home there are some things our families might like to consider when setting up a space for learning at home. Most families will not have the luxury of lots of space to dedicate to learning at home.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Last year, the Bureau of Labor Statistics found that nearly a quarter of people in the U.S. did at least some - if not all - of their work at home. As they spend more time in their home offices, homeowners have started to not only see, but feel the imbalance of form and function in their workspace.

"Balancing comfort, function and aesthetics is sometimes a challenge, and the client needs to consider the importance of each and prioritize them," says Leslie Bisharat, owner of Techline Studio in Rancho Cordova, California.

If you're not sure where to start in renovating your home office, your body might be able to tell you. "People usually find out what they need based on where their bodies are hurting," says Roger Hockett, owner of WorkSpaces in Newcastle, Washington. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration also advises telecommuters to listen to their bodies. OSHA reported work-related musculoskeletal disorders to be a common cause of lost or restricted work time. Three home office experts shared three steps to designing a comfortable home office.

Light It Right
The average American worker spends seven hours a day in front of a computer screen, according to the American Optometric Association. Although we may assume brighter is better when it comes to productive workspaces, glare on monitors causes us to squint and strain our eyes even more. OSHA actually advises workers to direct light away from their line of sight.

This lighting plan includes natural light from the side windows and supplemental light from an adjustable desk lamp.

Here are some more lighting tricks you can try at home to avoid glare on your screen:

- Use a supplemental desk lamp that shines down on paperwork rather than the computer screen.

- Position your monitor so that windows run alongside the workstation rather than in front of or behind the screen.

- Tilt your monitor so that you don't have to bend your neck.

Notice in this photo that the recessed lighting overhead runs parallel to the homeowner's line of vision to the laptop screen.

Combine the Right Furniture
If you don't have a budget for revamping your whole home office, Hockett suggests starting with the chair. All three professionals we talked to discourage folks from merely buying something off the shelf or online without actually sitting in it for a while first. Even then, be sure that there's a long enough warranty so that you can return or exchange the chair if aches and pains begin.

Each component of the chair should be adjustable. But don't stop at adjustable. Make sure the lumbar support, armrests and seat height adjust to you and your body. "Movement is key," says Jen MacKaben of Fully, an ergonomic furniture manufacturer in Portland, Oregon. MacKaben suggests a chair that moves 360 degrees and allows rocking and bouncing.

Related: Ergonomic Office Chairs

The partner for an adjustable chair is a desk with flexible height. "Fixed-height desks lead to a lot of back pain," MacKaben says. "The difference is felt almost instantly." Standing desks are all the rage in downtown offices these days. Experts from furniture manufacturers such as MacKaben are seeing a lot of employees getting so hooked on the trend that they're investing in one for their home.

As you continue to improve your home office, you may be interested in the following ergonomic accessories:

- Anti-fatigue mat (for standing) or a flexible footrest (for sitting)

- Stool to perch on

- Movable monitor arm or lift for laptop

- Adjustable keyboard platform with a padded wrist rest

This photo proves that you can have a sit-stand desk and keep your Craftsman style too. This desk can be lifted to become a standing desk (as shown) or dropped down to accommodate a sitting position. The monitor tilts, and the stool is adjustable for sitting or perching.

Modular Layout
After you start working in your new home office, or even as you transition to different roles within your company, you might assume different work habits and positions. You might find that you pace while you take conference calls or that you no longer use your file cabinet as often as you did before. Therefore, consider an office layout that's flexible rather than permanent. "The furniture should fit the space and be designed so that you can change things around as needs change," Bisharat says.

Notice almost everything in this home office is on wheels. Nothing is bolted to the walls, and the shelves can be added or removed.

It's also important to remember that bodies change. You may need bifocals one day, in which case your monitor will need to be adjustable for you to read the screen clearly without bending your neck. Or perhaps your doctor has finally put his foot down about your sedentary work life. It might be helpful to move your treadmill from the basement to your home office. The bottom line is that what worked for you three years ago may no longer work for you today. It's crucial that your workspace evolve with you, your work and your body.

As much as you listen to your body, don't forget to respond to your mind too. If you begin each workday feeling anxious, it might be time to organize all that paperwork. Or maybe you end the day feeling depressed and isolated from the rest of your family. Personalizing your workspace could be a great first step in designing a comfortable home office. No matter where you start, you should continue to address other areas of the room to eventually end up with an ergonomically efficient and thoughtfully decorated space.
Original article on Houzz.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How To Design A Healthy Home Office That Increases Productivity

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Last year, the Bureau of Labor Statistics found that nearly a quarter of people in the U.S. did at least some - if not all - of their work at home. As they spend more time in their home offices, homeowners have started to not only see, but feel the imbalance of form and function in their workspace.

# data[].attributes.body
Get dressed and set goals: Some routines not to break if coronavirus means you have to work from home (Paula Brough, March 18, 2020,)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The precautions taken by some employers over the coronavirus mean you may find yourself working from home, some for the first time.

For example, Telstra says it wants any Australian-based office staff who can work from home to do so until the end of the month "at a minimum". Many other employers are encouraging their staff to do the same.

You might feel this is a chance to stay in pyjamas all day, graze your way through the kitchen cupboards, and balance work tasks with online shopping and social media entries.

Read more: Social distancing can make you lonely. Here's how to stay connected when you're in lockdown

But that won't help the work get done, and it won't do much for your sense of well-being. So here are some useful strategies to help if you want to be productive and still feel connected to your workplace over what might be a long working-from-home period.

Work as normal

First prepare yourself for a normal working day. Get up as normal, shower, dress for a casual work day, brush your hair, look as normally presentable as you usually do.

This will put you in your normal work mindset. It will also help if you're suddenly included in a work meeting via Skype, Zoom, Facetime or Google Hangouts.

Next the physical environment. If you can, have a dedicated work space in a quiet room. It's really preferable not to work in bed or in your bedroom.

Flickr/Nenad Stojkovic, CC BY

Set up some desk space similar to your office space at work, aiming to replicate your real work space will also help you achieve that work mindset. Plus you want a neutral background behind you for that work video call.

Use software and apps to help you stay connected, such as Slack, Jabber or other similar tools.

Your household data usage will likely increase as you become home-bound. Boost your Wi-fi facilities if you need to - refer to the support offered by your telecom company or internet provider. Some are already offering free upgrades to customers.

Have a plan

Book in daily work meetings via video hook-ups to stay connected and plan work tasks (now you'll be glad you got out of your PJs!).

You'll likely still have as much work to do, so plan for a full work day and prioritise your tasks as usual. Make sure you know what is expected of you. Discuss your work tasks with your supervisor as you normally would, it's important both you and they are clear about your daily work tasks and due dates.

If part of a team, then make sure you know what each member is working on and when their work is due, and follow this up by calls and emails. As always, tell your supervisor of any problems you experience with completing your work.

And remember it's preferable to discuss any problems via a phone or video call, rather than multiple emails, to better clarify the issues involved.

Read more: It's not just the isolation. Working from home has surprising downsides

It's also important to look after your psychological health, during what could become long periods of isolation. Your may feel a bit overwhelmed by the directive to work from home, and also anxious about the broader coronavirus situation.

Social contact is very important. If you're used to having lunch or coffee with colleagues, plan a quick social phone or video call to each other at lunchtime or after you have finished a few hours of work. It's really important to stay connected with your colleagues as usual and to make sure all feel supported.

Get some fresh air. If you can, have a daily walk to your local shop, or at least get outside in your garden or balcony. Hang out some washing, walk the dog, water a plant, pick some fresh veggies, just take a break from your desk and move around.

Call family, friends and colleagues to see how they're doing. Stay socially connected.

Shutterstock/RossHelen

That work/life balance

It's also important to think through your work-home boundaries. We've become used to blurring these boundaries a little, which is often beneficial, helping us to manage our multiple demands.

But when your home and work are located in the same place, the boundary setting needs some consideration.

Read more: Can I take the dog for a walk? Can I put the kids to bed? What you should and shouldn't do if you're in coronavirus self-isolation

Be aware of home demands interfering with your work. Don't procrastinate work tasks by first doing some housework. Set yourself a target to complete a work task and when you've finished it then spend ten minutes doing the tidying.

Equally, don't let work take over your home life - just because work is always there doesn't mean you have to be. Finish about the time you normally would.

Walk away from your desk. Engage with your family and friends. A period of psychological recovery from work is vital to make sure you feel rested and productive for working from home tomorrow.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Get dressed and set goals: some routines not to break if coronavirus means you have to work from home

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The precautions taken by some employers over the coronavirus mean you may find yourself working from home, some for the first time. For example, Telstra says it wants any Australian-based office staff who can work from home to do so until the end of the month "at a minimum".

# data[].attributes.body
#WFH
#remoteworking
#workingfromhome
#workspacedesign

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
New to working from home? Here are my tips for making it work

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Lots of people I know are about to start working from home for the first time, and since I've been working from home to varying degrees for a long time, I thought I'd put together some of my top tips for making working from home work.

# data[].attributes.body
To all the parents working from home right now — you got this! (5 April, 2020)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Although it seems like an eternity ago at this point, it's been just a few weeks since area schools made the tough but sensible decision to close indefinitely. That very same day, my employer, Children's Wisconsin, called on all employees who could work from home to begin doing so.

When this news broke, my mind began racing through the seemingly impossible logistics of working from home while simultaneously overseeing my children's virtual learning. At the same time, my thoughts kept drifting to my colleagues who were preparing to combat the global pandemic. My prayers remain with all of our frontline health care workers.

With four young kids - ages 1.5, 5, 8 and 9 - who all need guidance and a lot of attention, I knew we needed a plan to maintain structure and balance for our new work and home life. As the Director of Advocacy and Community Benefits, my job is to work with our dedicated advocates and elected officials to advance policies that benefit the kids and families we serve. I love my job. But how was I to do it well if I was struggling to be there for my own family?
The new normal
I would be lying to say this new normal has been smooth. But I have learned a few things I can do every day to keep myself and my family healthy and well. If there was ever a time to focus on well-being, it's now. I quickly learned I needed to stop comparing myself to other work-and-teach-from-home parents. Instead, I needed to lean on others in my circle for tips, guidance and support. We are all wearing many hats - parent, employee, teacher, caregiver (some of you for more than just your own immediate family), and the list goes on. These are hats we always wear, but this is the first time we are wearing them at the exact same time, day after day.

If you are looking for a "how to create a perfect work from home" you should probably stop reading this. What may work for one family does not always work for another. But if you're looking for some tips that may help, here's what I have found.

Routine is key. While it won't be possible every day, do your best to keep to a routine. For me, making sure I start my day well before my kids are awake is key. It's a chance for me to drink my coffee in quiet while getting a jump start on my day. (Side note: Has anyone else's coffee consumption gone up about 10 times since COVID-19 forced us all at home?)

Stay active. Working out is also a huge part of my daily life. Making sure that I continue moving my body daily is extremely important to not only keep myself physically healthy, but mentally health, as well. During this "Safer at Home" order and with gyms closing, it's time for us to get creative.

I can offer a few ideas here:

When possible, I take work calls while I walk. My team and I have daily check-in calls so these are great times to hit the pavement. What if you have young kiddos? Take them with! For calls like these, I put my daughter Mary in the stroller and bring her along. My colleagues have gotten used to hearing Mary sing or talk in the background at times. A,B,C...1,2,1,2 (my goal is to get her to count to 3 by the time she goes back to daycare!). You know what? Hearing her cute little voice helps lighten the mood quite a bit - we are all human and navigating this together. My neighbors joke that I should attach a flag or some other visual when I am on a work call so they know why I am not stopping (6 feet away!) to say hello.

Stay connected by getting outside. I am a people person and not seeing others is really tough. But when I'm on my walks, I'm able to see others (from afar) and wave hello.

You know what also has been fun? Doing yoga! At Children's Wisconsin we practice mindfulness - things like being here now and being aware of how our moods may impact our work. Before COVID-19, yoga was not in my vocabulary. I always wanted to try it and like it, but just couldn't find the patience I knew it required. I am quickly learning it should be part of my daily routine. It is not only easy to do from home (check out Yoga with Adriene on YouTube), but my 8-year-old daughter, Ava, has found a love for it as well. What a powerful connection that we wouldn't have probably stumbled across if not at home together right now. Perspective is key, right.

Above all - eat well and sleep well. Both impact our mindset and energy equally.

Anxious cookie or grateful orange? I am blessed to have a team who is supportive. We are truly each other's biggest cheerleaders. When the work from home order was in place, our leader came across a creative way we could check in on each other to see how we were feeling. The game was simple -each day you had to declare your safer at home nickname. You say the emotion you are feeling at that moment plus the food you last ate. I remember the first day it went something like, "overwhelmed peanut butter straight outta the jar," and, "anxious cookie...yes cookie, wish it was a salad." But guess what? Each day since has not been the same. There are plenty of "hopeful carrots" and "balanced apples" in the mix! I took this idea and started it with my mom friends in my neighborhood, which has started some really great dialogues about the struggles we are facing as moms working at home with our kids. I have also started this with my own family. This tool has been nice way for me to get a pulse for how my work and home family are doing without asking, "How are you feeling today?" every day, because that becomes a bit overwhelming in itself. Give it a try!

Be creative with your time. I recognize not all jobs are the same, but if you have a job that has some flexibility, use that to be creative with your time. I use my early mornings to start my work day. It is typically when I respond to work emails, read the legislative proposals circulating, write my work goals for the week and do any of my writing (newsletters, emails to community members, legislators, etc.). Prioritizing this work upfront allows me to take a few deserved breaks throughout the day and be there now with my kids, help with some homework assignment they are struggling with (or at least try - who knew 2 nd grade math could be so tough?!), do a puzzle, or maybe even go outside for recess with them.
(Side note: My kids told us the other day they don't like homeschool as much as real school - me neither kiddos, me neither - but they do love how many recesses we give them. I had to chuckle at that.)
Create a space that is yours. Help your kids understand that this space is only for you to work in. Maybe have them put their art skills to use and make a sign for your office door. If you have an office already, great! If not, create a space. Do you have extra space in your laundry room? Or maybe a spare bedroom or basement for a table or desk? This is where you will take calls, do Zoom meetings, and get the projects done that cannot be interrupted. For the first week home, my work space was not defined and I ended up in my bathroom or closet floor escaping from my kids to get my work done (no, I am not kidding). We quickly realized creating these work spaces was incredibly important to maintain structure, boundaries and productivity.

TAKE ME-TIME. There is a reason this tip in all caps. Because I find it's the most important one of all. This has always been true, even though it took me a long time to figure this out. And now as we navigate this overwhelming time in our lives, I find it to be even truer. You cannot be a good employee, parent, teacher, spouse, friend, and all your other important roles unless you fill your own tank first. I have started listening to one podcast a day - no, not about the economy or about how we are going to end this pandemic, but a motivational podcast (my new favorite is Brené Brown's Unlocking Us). Find an outlet for yourself and carve out time for it every single day.

Lastly, keep perspective. What is being asked from all of us working parents right now is a lot (that is an understatement). It's overwhelming and recognizing that is in itself important. I have to give kudos to my supportive husband right now as we are true partners in this. I recognize that some of you are doing this working-parenting-teaching-caregiving job by yourself right now. And please know that I see you and I am cheering you on. No matter what your situation, this intense shift working parents are feeling is tough. Find balance. Give yourself grace. Stick to a routine as much as possible. Stop comparing yourself to how others are doing this - do you! Ask for support. Create a space that is yours. Move your body!

We've got this. Right? I would love to hear your tips for how you are navigating working from home. We are a community and we are in this together!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
To all the parents working from home right now - you got this!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Although it seems like an eternity ago at this point, it's been just a few weeks since area schools made the tough but sensible decision to close indefinitely. That very same day, my employer, Children's Wisconsin, called on all employees who could work from home to begin doing so.

# data[].attributes.body
Coronavirus: How to work from home, the right way (Bryan Lufkin, 13 March 2020)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Google, Microsoft, Twitter. Hitachi, Apple, Amazon. Chevron, Salesforce, Spotify. From the UK to the US, Japan to South Korea, these are all global companies that have, in the last few days, rolled out mandatory work-from-home policies amid the spread of Covid-19.

And it's realistic to assume that shifting to the 'home office' will become the new normal for many of us for a while, given Wednesday's announcement by the World Health Organization that the coronavirus has officially reached 'pandemic' status.

Some employees will be working from home for the first time, which means figuring out how to stay on task in a new environment that may not lend itself to productivity. But there are ways to deliver results and avoid going stir-crazy, from setting up a good workspace to the way you talk to your team.
Crank up the communication
Coronavirus or not, the key to working from home is clear communication with your boss - and knowing exactly what's expected of you.

"Have really clear-set expectations for communications day to day," says Barbara Larson, a professor of management at Northeastern University in Boston who studies remote working. "Ask [your manager] if they don't mind having a 10-minute call to kick off the day and wrap up the day. Often times, managers just haven't thought of it."

Most people spend their days in close proximity to their boss, meaning communication is easy and effortless. But that's all out the window with remote work, and communication breakdown is even more likely if your workplace isn't used to remote working. Your manager might not be used to managing people virtually, for example, or your company might not have a ready-to-go suite of tools for remote workers, like the chat app Slack or video conferencing app Zoom, Larson says.

But even for those accustomed to it, working from home can feel unstructured and isolating. Last year, a study of 2,500 remote workers by online brand development agency Buffer found that loneliness was the second-most reported challenge, one experienced by 19% of respondents. Loneliness can make people feel less motivated and less productive.

So when you do communicate with your boss and team from home, it helps if as much of it as possible can be "richer" communication that's face-to-face and instant, Larson says: video calls, Skype, Zoom.

"Out of sight, out of mind can be a real problem for remote workers," says Sara Sutton, CEO and founder of FlexJobs, a remote job listing site. "The very best remote workers will reach out to coworkers and managers regularly" through a variety of tools.
'Treat it like a real job'
There are also some timeless WFH tips to call upon. For example, just because you can lounge around in your pajamas doesn't mean you actually should. "Take a shower and get dressed. Treat it like a real job," says Larson.

If you don't have a home office, do as much as you can to create an ad hoc, bespoke space exclusively for work. "Not having a well-equipped home office space when [people] begin remote working can cause a temporary decrease in productivity," Sutton explains. She says double monitors and a wireless keyboard and mouse make her more productive at home.

So instead of lying in bed with a laptop, try something more deliberate. The fix could be something as simple as moving a nightstand into a corner far away from distractions, plopping down your computer and sitting in an upright chair, like you would at your office desk. (Be mindful of 'tech neck' and other ergonomic needs, though.)

This also serves as an important signal to those who live with you that you're 'at work'. "Create boundaries within your home that your family members understand: 'When the door is closed, pretend I'm not there,'" says Kristen Shockley, an associate professor of psychology at the University of Georgia.

With a dedicated workspace where you can concentrate, it becomes easier to unlock the benefits of remote work. In a survey of 7,000 workers last year by FlexJobs, 65% said they're more productive working from home, citing benefits like fewer interruptions from colleagues, minimal office politics and reduced stress from commuting.

Yet it's also important to bookend your day. In that Buffer survey, the most-cited WFH complaint was the inability to unplug after work. If you can't commute or enter and leave a physical office, which provides clearer boundaries to the workday, Shockley suggests "psychological segues" that can help put you in the right mindset: like a 20-minute coffee in the morning and then exercise right after work to open and close the day.

"Even if childcare isn't an issue, it's still easy when you're home [to think]: 'I have laundry to do, let me do it real quick,'" she says. "You have to [put] yourself in a frame of mind that you're really working."
Avoid feeling isolated
Still, even with these tools, the enforced and abrupt nature of the transition from an office to a home environment could leave some struggling to get accustomed to the change.

"The coronavirus is pushing everyone into this kind of extreme working from home," says Nicholas Bloom, a professor of economics at Stanford University in California who's given TED Talks about remote work. He says there are two types of working from home: short-term or occasional work from home, and permanent or full-time work from home. "It is kind of like comparing light exercise to marathon training," he says.

The latter is still quite rare - Bloom says only 5% of the US workforce, for example, report that they're full-time remote workers. With coronavirus, it's not clear how long people will be at home, which poses additional problems. Parents, for example, will find working harder if children are at home because schools are closed, meaning close communication with managers - who will need to be understanding - is vital.

Prolonged isolation could also potentially impact on morale and productivity. That's why Larson suggests teams try to sustain a semblance of normalcy and camaraderie in unconventional ways, like virtual pizza parties or remote happy hours where people dial in and share a cocktail on Slack or Skype.

"It's a good way to bond - it's kind of weird, but everyone's feeling weird, so it's fun," Larson says, describing the "we're all in this together" mentality. "It adds a little bit of levity and lightness to the otherwise difficult environment."

Sutton also supports the idea of translating in-office social activities to an online environment. "Celebrate birthdays, give public praise for goals reached and projects completed," she says. "Make time for casual conversations and 'water cooler' chat."
'Keep spirits up'
Make no mistake, these are stressful times. Negative headlines, worrying about sick or elderly loved ones and fighting the urge to go panic buying for toilet paper can all put answering work emails on the back burner. But the more effort you put into communicating with colleagues, the better chance you have of avoiding feelings of isolation, which can lead to depression.

"Overall, a short-run period of say two to four weeks full-time working from home I think would be economically and personally painful, but bearable," Bloom says. "A longer period of, say, two or three months full-time working from home could lead to serious economic and health costs."

He agrees that solutions to this include as much face-to-face interaction online as possible through video calls, regular manager check-ins - especially to those employees who live alone and might feel more isolated - and regular meetings with no agenda, like grabbing coffee or a drink.

If you're a manager, it's on you to provide clear communication and it's also crucial to keep up morale. "It's easy to be stressed out or depressed these days," Larson says. If you're a manager, "acknowledge there's stress and difficulty. Your job is to be a cheerleader for the team."

That's particularly key if people end up working from home for more than a few weeks, which is a distinct possibility. "Set up a norm of some kind," Larson says. "Keep people's spirits up."
Bryan Lufkin is BBC Worklife's features writer. Follow him on Twitter @bryan_lufkin.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Coronavirus: How to work from home, the right way

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Google, Microsoft, Twitter. Hitachi, Apple, Amazon. Chevron, Salesforce, Spotify. From the UK to the US, Japan to South Korea, these are all global companies that have, in the last few days, rolled out mandatory work-from-home policies amid the spread of Covid-19.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Executive Summary

The physical environment of the workplace has a significant effect on the way that we work. When our space is a mess, so are we. That is certainly true from a simple logistical perspective: we lose precious work minutes every time we go searching for a lost paper on a cluttered desk. The same is true for those of us have succeeded in becoming paperless at work: one international survey showed that information workers lose up to two hours a week fruitlessly searching for lost documents. But clutter can also affect us in more indirect ways. The authors' and others' research has shown that our physical environments significantly influence our cognition, emotions, and behavior, affecting our decision-making and relationships with others. Cluttered spaces can have negative effects on our stress and anxiety levels, as well as our ability to focus, eating choices, and even sleep.

Deborah Van Kirk/HBR Staff/Getty Images

The physical environment of the workplace has a significant effect on the way that we work. When our space is a mess, so are we.

That is certainly true from a simple logistical perspective: we lose precious work minutes every time we go searching for a lost paper on a cluttered desk. The same is true for those of us who have succeeded in becoming paperless at work: one international survey showed that information workers lose up to two hours a week fruitlessly searching for lost digital documents.

But clutter can also affect us in more indirect ways. My research and that of others has shown that our physical environments significantly influence our cognition, emotions, and behavior, affecting our decision-making and relationships with others. Cluttered spaces can have negative effects on our stress and anxiety levels, as well as our ability to focus, our eating choices, and even our sleep. Much of the research (and much of the public enthusiasm) around tidiness and clutter is currently focused on the home, but with workplace stress costing American businesses up to $190 billion every year in health care costs alone, it's time to recognize the role that clutter plays in our work lives - and to do something to clean up the mess.
Clutter Affects Your Brain and Your Work
You may think you're not bothered by your overstuffed filing cabinets or the stacks of paper on your desk. But scientists at the Princeton University Neuroscience Institute have used fMRI and other approaches to show that our brains like order, and that constant visual reminders of disorganization drain our cognitive resources and reduce our ability to focus. They also found that when participants cleared clutter from their work environment, they were better able to focus and process information, and their productivity increased.

A study on the effects of clutter in the home found that individuals who felt overwhelmed by the amount of "stuff" in their homes were more likely to procrastinate. Other research has shown that a cluttered home environment triggers coping and avoidance strategies involving snacking on junk and watching TV. While we don't know if this generalizes to the workplace, it's possible that cluttered offices may produce employees who make poor eating choices during breaks and spend less time actually working.

You and Your Team Series

Stress

Clutter can also affect our general mental health, making us feel stressed, anxious, or depressed. Research from the United States in 2009, for instance, found the levels of the stress hormone cortisol were higher in mothers whose home environment was cluttered; elevated cortisol levels sustained over time can lead to anxiety and depression. (Interestingly, it might work the other way, too. Researchers in the U.S. examined the interplay between stress and workplace clutter and found that stress and emotional exhaustion causes workers to delay making decisions and to keep more material for all their ongoing tasks within easy reach: hence leading to messy workspaces.)

Our relationships with others can also be affected by our clutter. In one study, participants with messy desks were perceived to be less conscientious, more neurotic, and less agreeable. Such perceptions of an employee are likely to negatively influence the way that others interact with them, and may have negative consequences for their career progression.
What Can Be Done?
Regularly tidying your workspace, rather than letting things accumulate, is the tried and true way to keep the clutter at bay. Avoid letting things get so bad that you start cleaning as a form of procrastination. If you work at home, maintaining a designated workspace can help create a boundary between work items and home items.

For teams and organizations, establish regular "spring cleaning" days with pizza can create social interaction and support around a task that most people don't enjoy (Marie Kondo aside). Consider instituting a clean-desk policy to govern the tidiness of shared work spaces. Work with your IT team to provide support for employees in the form of tools to manage online documents, as well as clarity on what should be kept and what can be discarded. In doing so, organizations need to strike a balance between practical and security considerations, and keep in mind employees' need for self-identity and autonomy.

Finally, keep in mind that clutter isn't always bad. One study has showed that messy desks can make us more creative. The findings suggest that neat, ordered environments make us more likely to conform to expectations and play it safe, while messy ones move us to break with the norm and look at things in a new way. So, while a totally pristine desk might signal a lack of creativity, a very messy one may send unfavorable messages about your work ethic and personality. Keep things on hand that are needed for current projects, but resist the temptation to hoard.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Executive Summary The physical environment of the workplace has a significant effect on the way that we work. When our space is a mess, so are we. That is certainly true from a simple logistical perspective: we lose precious work minutes every time we go searching for a lost paper on a cluttered desk.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
What it contains

This guide is a resource for workplaces to use a risk management approach to promote health and safety in offices. This approach can be applied to the way an office is designed and managed. The guide covers topics such as:

managing OHS in the workplace, including identifying hazards and OHS laws

designing jobs for offices, including physical, psychosocial factors and how to reduce stress by designing jobs well

designing a health and safe working environment, including lighting, noise and thermal comfort

managing office layout, workstations and equipment

the health effects of working with computers

general health and safety issues in offices

At the end of the document, you'll find:

information about setting up workstations

exercises for office workers

an office safety checklist

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Officewise: A guide to health and safety in the office handbook - WorkSafe

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This guide is a resource for workplaces to use a risk management approach to promote health and safety in offices. This approach can be applied to the way an office is designed and managed.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Nailing that home office design is so important if you need a space to work in your house. Once regarded as a luxury, a home office space is now a must-have as more and more of us work flexibly - or in recent times solely at home. So how do you create a space that ensures a productive atmosphere where you won't get interrupted?

Start by thinking about the purpose of your home office. If you'll be working in there on a daily basis, creating a different feel from the rest of your rooms may help you to focus, while a room that's part home office, part homework study, part home admin centre might look better decorated to match the rest of your home - especially if it's part of an open plan scheme.

Whether it's a dedicated room, a built-for-purpose garden room, or a small study space with big ideas, design a home office you deserve with our handy guide.

Choose a location that best suits your working style

The first - and probably the most important - thing to think about when designing a home office is where your home office ought to be located. Consider your working style and the nature of your work, as well the needs of the people you live with.

If your work is solitary and requires quiet and privacy, a garden office room, garage conversion or home office in a loft conversion is most appropriate. If you are keen to add a garden office room, check out our expert guide to adding a garden room.

On the other hand, if you run a small business from home while keeping an eye on children, you may need your workspace near the kitchen or sitting room, perhaps in an under-used dining room. An ideal solution in this case might be a cupboard workstation.

Or, if you simply don't have the space elsewhere, a spare bedroom or corner of a bedroom or living space can do the trick nicely, if well planned. Have a look through these small home office design ideas for more inspiration.

(Image credit: Bruce Hemming)

What do you need in your home office?

When designing a home office ask yourself a series of questions to establish what is needed in your work area:

How much desktop space do you require?

What storage do you need?

What are your printing requirements?

Is it important for you to have peace and quiet; to be insulated from noise and disruption within the home?

How much of your time is spent on the phone and, while on the phone, do you use other equipment?

Do you require access to a library of books, or samples?

Are you untidy, and must your clutter be left untouched by other people in the house?

Do you often need to access files? Would these work better for you as lever arch files on a shelf or drop-in files in a desk drawer, or are there so many that they would work better on your wall?

Design your home office with tech needs in mind

If your desk is in the middle of the room, you need to plan the safest way to run cables to a power point - flexible plastic trunking is the best option. Buy a power pack for charging your home office tech, which can be positioned under the desk. Top up your smartphone with a dual-purpose desk lamp that allows wireless charging.

With bespoke units, you can specify how many power points you want and where cables need to go, so ensure you factor in lighting, computers, printer, TV, music system and charging points. You may also want a mini fridge and tea/coffee making facilities, too.

Check out our pick of the best home office tech.

(Image credit: John Lewis)

Invest in the best desk you can get for your budget

Choosing the best desk for your home office will involve considering how much space you have available in the room. The desktop needs to be big enough to accommodate your laptop or computer, while giving you space to take notes or sort files.

A corner desk will allow you to split the work station into two: one side for the computer, the other for paperwork. Be aware that integrated storage pillars (while incredibly useful) will dictate where you can sit and may affect achieving a comfortable working position. Like to be more mobile? A standing desk is worth considering.

Some desks have handy wire channels to keep your tangle of cables neatly out of the way. If your chosen desk does not, you will need to consider the placement of the desk for a neat and safe connection to plug sockets.

Pick a great office chair

Match your office chair to the rest of the room's furniture, rather than using a more typical office chair. But make sure it's supportive and comfortable if you're going to be sitting for hours. Opt for a swivel so you can adjust it to the right height.

A comfortable office chair is a must for anyone sitting at a desk for any length of time. There is a wide choice online so it is easy to find something that is ergonomically designed and suits the look of your space.

Banish clutter with comprehensive storage

Clutter is at its most distracting in the home office area, and you will want to make sure that the space is as tidy as possible, with all important paperwork easily accessible. Choose home office storage, such as shelving and smaller home office storage accessories that are functional and stylish and will encourage you to keep everything where it should be.

You may also need to make room for office accessories such as printers, scanners and document shredders. Think about whether you want these neatly packed away, or within easy reach on a worktop.

When you plan your fitted cupboards and units, make sure you allow enough room for displaying items that aren't work-related. Shelving for treasured books and ornaments will all help create a space you want to be in, rather than have to be in.

(Image credit: Malcolm Menzies)

Keep track of your goals with a noticeboard

Noticeboards can be a great way to visualise your goals and achievements, as well as keep track of deadlines and to-do lists, while wall planners will ensure you never miss an appointment. Check out our pick of the best noticeboards.

(Image credit: Garden Trading )

Get home office lighting right

When planning the lighting for your home office, remember to allow natural light in the room to blend in with your selected products. For homeworkers who use natural materials, position your desk close to the window to benefit from as much daylight as possible. If you're working with computers or other screens, make sure you allow for the angles of natural light through the day and avoid glare.

A purpose-designed home office desk lamp is a must-have, but creating the right ambience in a home office is essential, and clever lighting is crucial to achieving it, too. Soften harsh light with a lampshade to set the mood and, if space is at a premium, pendant lighting is a good way to illuminate a room without cluttering it. Have a look at our pick of the best home office desk lamps.

Consider a fitted home office furniture

You may find that bespoke furniture is the best solution to creating a workspace that maximises the available space. Built-in shelving and desks mean you can position everything exactly where you need it, and in accordance with existing features of the room (sockets, windows, doors and awkward alcoves or heaters).

Although more expensive than off-the-shelf options, custom furniture is worth the investment if you use the space every day. It can also be the best option for a multifunctional space, such as a guest room.

(Image credit: John Lewis)

Dress your home office window practically

When designing your home office think carefully about your choice of window treatment. Shutters will allow you to control the amount of light coming in to your home office throughout the day. A light coloured blind that blocks glare while still allowing in natural light might be a good option, too, if your computer screen is near a window.

If the room doubles as a bedroom, a blackout curtain that can be pulled over at night will ensure a restful sleep. We've rounded up some of our favourite home office window treatment ideas, so head over there for more practical advice and inspiration.

(Image credit: California Shutters)

Choose practical home office flooring

Hardwearing engineered wood flooring or laminate flooring are both good options when designing a home office. If you do want to add interest to the room with a rug or runner, choose one that is smooth in texture and dense in pile.

Build a garden office for ultimate privacy

Garden office building rules

For some types of work, only working in a completely separate space will do.

If your garden office is subordinate to the house and can't function as an independent dwelling, then you should be able to construct it under permitted development if it is within certain dimensions.

Most garden offices are built at the edge of a garden, meaning that the maximum overall height is 2.5m. It is probably worth considering building your garden room with a flat roof to guarantee the best use of the space.

Ensure your garden office will have heating

A home office in a garden room should be designed for use all year round. If it is a space that you will be working in permanently you don't want to be demotivated by the idea of walking to the bottom of the garden in bad weather. Chances are, you will need to divert services from your house to be able to work in the space.

Think about heating options like underfloor heating or radiators. Underfloor heating is a practical and cost effective way of heating a small space and should be easy to install in a new structure without taking up valuable wall space. Alternatively, radiators are a good solution if you have wall space to spare.

Plan the powering of your garden office

You will need to consult an electrician when it comes to powering your garden office. Not only should you think about where you should run insulated cabling through your garden, but you will also need to consider where you want to install power points and lighting in the structure itself.

Draw a scale floor plan of your home office on squared paper and plot where the important furniture, like your desk, reading chair or workstation will sit. Make sure these points have enough plug sockets to service everything that you need to work with.

Good lighting is also known to improve productivity, so make sure your garden office is well lit. In work areas, incorporate task lighting to light the space directly. Having a series of spotlights in the roof will ensure that the space is properly lit. If you're going for a more relaxed work space, use a combination of table and floor lamps.

Be inspired by these beautiful garden rooms.

(Image credit: RHS/Neil Hepworth)

Create a home office extension

Factoring a home office into an extension design is far easier than building an external garden office as you are already closer to your power and heat supplies. You should discuss these elements with your architect when you are planning the project from the start.

A new factor to consider is acoustics, especially within a busy household. To minimise distraction, place your office away from loud spaces like the living room, or insulate the room against sound as best you can.

lf your office has a lot of glazing, ensure blinds are installed to regulate natural lighting, shade and temperature. Extensions tend to be cooler than the rest of the house, so investing in underfloor heating might also be a viable solution to keep the area warm without installing radiators, which can encroach on space.

For more tips on planning and designing a single storey extension or double storey extension check out our guides.

Convert a garage into a home office

Got a garage that you barely use, just asking to be converted? Considered using the space to add a home office. Best sited away from the main living space if you have a family who will want the TV on while you try to work, it can also double up as a homework space, so having it near to where you'll be most of the time can be very useful. It will need plenty of natural daylight to make it welcoming during the day, but invest in good blinds if it is south-facing, and ensure the heating is sufficient.

Have a read of our feature of how to convert a garage and check out more garage conversion ideas for more tips.

(Image credit: Architect Your Home)

Don't let an awkward space deter you

If you can't add a new home office, being creative with existing small space might be the solution. Hallways and landings that are often thought of as being unusable can actually be a perfect place to create a small home office.

If you have a small nook under the stairs, a hallway or even the living room, it could be suitable to neatly fit a small desk and a chair without it encroaching on the space itself.

See more under stair storage solutions in our guide.

(Image credit: Neville Johnson)

Read more:

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Nailing that home office design is so important if you need a space to work in your house. Once regarded as a luxury, a home office space is now a must-have as more and more of us work flexibly - or in recent times solely at home.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
If you're ever had the opportunity (some might say misfortune) of working from home, you know that the distractions are endless. Every time you look up from your computer, there's a stack of personal mail that needs attention, a glass that should be washed or a household member eager to tell you a story. All you want is to be transported to a secluded island (preferably with Wi-Fi) so you can refocus on the task at hand.

You deserve a dedicated space that promotes concentration and creativity, with a bulwark to protect you from diversions lurking around every corner. Here's how to get it.

1. Create a Threshold
Thresholds help designate where work physically starts and stops. They are a visual cue that says, "Step into my office." The sliding doors shown here not only help block out noise, but they also act as a visual indication to other residents that work is in session. If a separate, closed-off room isn't possible in your living situation, look for places where you can introduce a threshold.

This elevated loft area is an ideal work nook. As with a threshold, the level change indicates the point where a new zone begins. The stair takes you from the home's living area to a defined space for working, even though no doors or walls are present.

Outlining a work zone can be as simple as switching the flooring material, signaling a different space identity to the home's other occupants.

2. Allocate a Pinup Area
Show off examples of what inspires you to do your job. Leave a blank section of wall that can be filled with ideas as they develop. The pinup area could be a framed space for visual thinking.

By locating this in your office space, you're categorizing the tasks as work related, as opposed to writing them down in a notebook that might include a personal to-do list.
More: What Does Your Inspiration Board Say About You?

Does it motivate you more to have a variety of colorful, overlapping content? Something that's seemingly chaotic to one person may provide the perfect amount of visual interest to another.
3. Get Equipped With an Ergonomic Chair
Determine which method positively impacts your creativity. The more you surround yourself with what you love, the more time you'll want to spend in the space.

If you've ever worked from home, you and your couch may have a complicated relationship. It's time to move on. The couch may seem comfortable at first, but over time you'll feel it impacting your motivation as well as your spine.

A proper chair and work desk will greatly increase your productivity. They will also define your office as a professional workspace.
More: 4. Centralize Your Technology Equipment Work with a local contractor
The search for a great chair should be twofold. Get a chair that is a) comfortable and b) stylish - something practical and beautiful that you will want to spend hours in, because you will.

Invest in any equipment that you may need solely for your office environment. For easy access, place everything you use on a regular basis closest to your workstation. If your printer is in another room, you might find yourself leaving your office to pick up a print and getting lost in a variety of distractions.
5. Know Your Personal Productivity Style
By confining equipment to one zone of your office, you may gain extra horizontal space for tasks that are not technology dependent - such as sketching and letter writing.

Are you more productive in minimalist surroundings? Or do you need visual clutter to inspire you in your line of work? What might seem bland and lackluster to one person may be another's ideal Zen zone.

If you are easily overstimulated, try stashing things behind closed doors and drawers, leaving just enough objects on your workspace to keep you on track.
6. Let the Light Shine In
When you combine open and closed shelving with multiple work surfaces, it's an all-around win. This type of layout works especially well when more than one person (and personality) is sharing the space.

More: 7 Ways to Make Your Home Office Work Better for You
It doesn't take much natural light to fill a small space and elevate your mood. Working with the windows you have, let light be a space-defining tool.

The beauty of letting natural light in is that it usually comes with views to the exterior. Looking out to vegetation helps ease our mind and aids in contemplation and meditation. This simple strategy can be extremely powerful, and can affect your overall productivity within your work area. Allocating a distinct workspace sets the foundation for a productive home office.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
If you're ever had the opportunity (some might say misfortune) of working from home, you know that the distractions are endless. Every time you look up from your computer, there's a stack of personal mail that needs attention, a glass that should be washed or a household member eager to tell you a story.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Use this visual ergonomics guide to make your sitting work space more comfortable.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Executive Summary

As millions of employees around the world have had to make a sudden and unprecedented shift to remote work amid the coronavirus pandemic, many might find themselves feeling like they need to work all the time to signal their devotion and productivity - and, as a result, may struggle to create healthy boundaries. Even more than before, afternoons will blend with evenings, and weekdays will blend with weekend days, leaving a sense of little time off. So, how can we "leave our work at the door" if we are no longer going out the door? Research shows it will be important to: 1) maintain physical and social boundaries; 2) maintain boundaries on how you use your time; and 3) focus on your most important work.

Henry Steadman/Getty Images

We've made our coronavirus coverage free for all readers. To get all of HBR's content delivered to your inbox, sign up for the Daily Alert newsletter.

Millions around the globe have made a sudden transition to remote work amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Not surprisingly, this has some employers concerned about maintaining employee productivity. But what they really should be concerned about in this unprecedented situation is a longer-term risk: employee burnout.

The risk is substantial. The lines between work and non-work are blurring in new and unusual ways, and many employees who are working remotely for the first time are likely to struggle to preserve healthy boundaries between their professional and personal lives. To signal their loyalty, devotion, and productivity, they may feel they have to work all the time. Afternoons will blend with evenings; weekdays will blend with weekends; and little sense of time off will remain. It's possible that some employees may be asked to continue working remotely for several months.

Lots of research suggests that drawing lines between our professional and personal lives is crucial, especially for our mental health. But it's difficult, even in the best of circumstances. In no small measure, that's because the knowledge economy has radically transformed what it means to be an " ideal worker."

Our research has shown that workers often unintentionally make it hard for their supervisors, colleagues, and employees to maintain boundaries. One way they do so is by sending work emails outside office hours. In five studies involving more than 2,000 working adults, we found that senders of after-hours work emails underestimate how compelled receivers feel to respond right away, even when such emails are not urgent.

Covid-19 might amplify these pressures. Even for employees who have a natural preference to separate their work and personal lives, the current circumstances may not allow them to do so. Many schools are closed, and daycare may no longer be an option, placing additional burdens on working parents or low-income workers. Even companies that already encourage employees to work from home are likely to have some trouble supporting employees who face the many challenges of working at home in the presence of their families.

So how can employees continue to compartmentalize their work and non-work lives, given the extraordinary situation that so many of us are in today? How can we "leave our work at the door" if we are no longer going out the door? What can employers, managers, and coworkers do to help one another cope?

Based on our research and the wider academic literature, here are some recommendations:
Maintain physical and social boundaries
In a classic paper, Blake Ashforth, of Arizona State University, described the ways in which people demarcate the transition from work to non-work roles via "boundary-crossing activities." Putting on your work clothes, commuting from home to work-these are physical and social indicators that something has changed. You've transitioned from "home you" to "work you."

Try to maintain these boundaries when working remotely. In the short-term, it may be a welcome change not to have to catch an early train to work, or to be able to spend all day in your pajamas-but both of those things are boundary-crossing activities that can do you good, so don't abandon them altogether. Put on your work clothes every morning-casual Friday is fine, of course, but get yourself ready nonetheless. And consider replacing your morning commute with a walk to a nearby park, or even just around your apartment, before sitting down to work. Some workers have already come up with creative and lighthearted ways to maintain their usual work routines.
Maintain temporal boundaries as much as possible
Maintaining temporal boundaries is critical for well-being and work engagement. This is particularly true when so many employees-and/or their colleagues-are now facing the challenge of integrating childcare or elder-care responsibilities during regular work hours. It's challenging even for employees without children or other family responsibilities, thanks to the mobile devices that keep our work with us at all times.

Sticking to a 9-to-5 schedule may prove unrealistic. Employees need to find work-time budgets that function best for them. They also need be conscious and respectful that others might work at different times than they do. For some it might be a child's nap, for others it might be when their partner is cooking dinner. Employees with or without children can create intentional work-time budgets by adding an "out of office" reply during certain hours of the day to focus on work. A less-extreme reply might be to just let others know that you might be slower than usual in responding, decreasing response expectations for others and yourself.

Creating clear temporal boundaries often depends on the ability to coordinate ones' time with others. This calls for leaders to aid employees in structuring, coordinating, and managing the pace of work. This might mean regularly holding virtual check-in virtual meetings with employees, or providing them with tools to create virtual coffee or workspaces. Through this disruption, keeping a sense of normality is key.
Focus on your most important work
This is not the time for busy work. Workers should be devoting their energy to top-priority issues.

While working from home, employees often feel compelled to project the appearance of productivity, but this can lead them to work on tasks that are more immediate instead of more important-a tendency that research suggests is counterproductive in the long run, even if it benefits productivity in the short run. Employees, particularly those facing increased workloads as they juggle family and work tasks, should pay attention to prioritizing important work.

Working all the time, even on your most important tasks, isn't the answer. According to some estimates, the average knowledge worker is only productive on average three hours every day, and these hours should be free of interruptions or multitasking. Even before Covid-19, employees found it difficult to carve out three continuous hours to focus on their core work tasks. With work and family boundaries being removed, employees' time has never been more fragmented.

Employees who feel "on" all the time are at a higher risk of burnout when working from home than if they were going to the office as usual. In the long-term, trying to squeeze in work and email responses whenever we have a few minutes to do so -during nap time, on the weekend, or by pausing a movie in the evening-is not only counterproductive but also detrimental to our well-being. We all need to find new ways-and help others do the same-to carve out non-work time and mental space.

These are just a few recommendations that can help workers maintain boundaries between their work and their personal life and thereby avoid burnout in the long run. Employees will need the flexibility to experiment with how to make their circumstances work for them in these unpredictable times.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Executive Summary As millions of employees around the world have had to make a sudden and unprecedented shift to remote work amid the coronavirus pandemic, many might find themselves feeling like they need to work all the time to signal their devotion and productivity - and, as a result, may struggle to create healthy boundaries.

# data[].attributes.body
Maintaining your mental health during social isolation (Australian Psychological Association, 20 March 2020)

# data[].attributes.body
Hughes, H., Franz, J. & Willis, J. (Eds.). (Springer, 2019).

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
This book introduces a new wellbeing dimension to the theory and practice of learning space design for early childhood and school contexts. It highlights vital, yet generally overlooked relationships between the learning environment and student learning and wellbeing, and reveals the potential of participatory, values-based design approaches to create learning spaces that respond to contemporary learners' needs.

Focusing on three main themes it explores conceptual understandings of learning spaces and wellbeing; students' lived experience and needs of learning spaces; and the development of a new theory and its practical application to the design of learning spaces that enhance student wellbeing. It examines these complex and interwoven topics through various theoretical lenses and provides an extensive, current literature review that connects learning environment design and learner wellbeing in a wide range of educational settings from early years to secondary school.

Offering transferable approaches and a new theoretical model of wellbeing as flourishing to support the design of innovative learning environments, this book is of interest to researchers, tertiary educators and students in the education and design fields, as well as school administrators and facility managers, teachers, architects and designers.

"This timely book fills a significant gap in the school design literature by exploring human affect and experience and coalescing design and teaching professions. It exhibits robust research methodologies blending literature reviews and evidence-based field explorations to represent school student and staff perceptions. The collection provides - in effect - a 'Handbook for the Evidence-Based Design for Primary and Middle Schools'. The first chapter sets a high benchmark for authentic scholarship that shapes the rest of the book in establishing a fluid written structure throughout this seminal work." - Dr. Kenn Fisher, Associate Professor in Learning Environments, University of Melbourne, Australia

Learning Environment Evaluation and Design Design of School Facilities Learning Environment Early Years Learning Environment Primary Schools Learning Environment Middle Years Learning Environment Secondary Schools Student Voice in School Designing School Spaces that Support Student Wellbeing Designing Learning Environments for Student Wellbeing Participatory Designing Process Values Based Designing Contemporary Learning Spaces Interdisciplinary Approaches to Learning Environment Design School Design Case Studies Australia Qualitative Research Learning Environments Evidence Based Designing Learning Environment Theory Pedagogy and Learning Environment Built Pedagogy Theory and Practice School Fiction in Children's Literature

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
School Spaces for Student Wellbeing and Learning

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This book introduces a new wellbeing dimension to the theory and practice of learning space design for early childhood and school contexts. It highlights vital, yet generally overlooked relationships between the learning environment and student learning and wellbeing, and reveals the potential of participatory, values-based design approaches to create learning spaces that respond to contemporary learners' needs.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Minimising the spread of COVID-19

On 16 March 2020 the Victorian government declared a State of Emergency in Victoria, to help minimise the spread of COVID-19. The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Australia is growing and the medical advice is changing rapidly.

In some circumstances, employers may consider recommending to employees that they work from home instead of attending their usual place of work. For example, some office-based employees may be able to do their work from home.

This may help minimise the risk of individual employees' exposure to COVID-19 through reduced public transport travel, as well as reducing the risk of transmission occurring at the workplace through face to face contact.

Note: This guidance is about working from home as a precautionary measure. For information about required self-isolation due to overseas travel or coming into contact with confirmed cases of coronavirus see the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) website.

Who has duties?

Employers have a duty to, so far as is reasonably practicable, provide a working environment for their employees that is safe and without risks to health.

This includes identifying and controlling risks to health or safety associated with potential exposure to COVID-19.

It also includes controlling new risks that may be introduced when an employee works from a location other than their normal workplace, such as their home office.

Employers must consult with employees and health and safety representatives (HSRs), so far as is reasonably practicable, on matters related to health or safety that directly affect, or are likely to directly affect them. This includes consulting on decisions about working from a location other than the usual workplace.

These duties extend to any independent contractor engaged by an employer and the employees of independent contractors.

Employees must take reasonable care for their own health and safety, and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions in the workplace.

Employees must also cooperate with their employer's actions to make the workplace safe, for example, by following any information, instruction or training provided.

Working from home

Whether working from home is a reasonably practicable measure will depend on the specifics of the workplace, the facilities available for employees to work remotely and the ability for employees to do their work safely from home.

When making decisions about whether employees should work from home, employers should:

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Minimising the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19): Working from home - WorkSafe

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
On 16 March 2020 the Victorian government declared a State of Emergency in Victoria, to help minimise the spread of COVID-19. The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Australia is growing and the medical advice is changing rapidly. In some circumstances, employers may consider recommending to employees that they work from home instead of attending their usual place of work.

# data[].attributes.body
Colenberg, S., Jylhä, T. & Arkesteijn, M. (2020). The relationship between interior office space and employee health and well-being: A literature review.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
ABSTRACT

ABSTRACT
Health is a trending topic in the office market, yet scientific research on healthy offices is scattered. This study undertakes a systematic literature review on the relationship between the interior space of offices and physical, psychological and social well-being. The review identifies the characteristics of interior office space that have been studied in relation to employee health, and outlines the empirical evidence. Of 2816 papers in the database, 50 addressed the relationship between interior office space and health and did so based on six features: layout, furniture, light, greenery, controls and noise. Evidence on the relationship between interior space and health has accumulated only within a few topics. On the one hand, open-plan offices, shared rooms and higher background noise are negatively related to health. On the other hand, positive relationships are found between physical well-being and aspects that encourage physical activity; between physical/psychological well-being and (day)light, individual control and real/artificial greenery; and between social well-being and small shared rooms. In measuring health, physical well-being is predominant. Similarly, studies have predominantly aimed to prevent health problems rather than enhance health. Overall, the related research is in a nascent stage. Further research is required to verify claims about healthy offices.

Introduction

What is a healthy office? One might think of fresh air, daylight and ergonomic furniture, since computer work increases musculoskeletal issues, such as neck, shoulder and lower back pain (IJmker et al., 2007; Janwantanakul, Pensri, Jiamjarasrangsri, & Sinsongsook, 2008). Research on sick building syndrome has shown that poor indoor air quality due to toxins, contamination or inadequate ventilation could lead to a variety of physical health complaints. However, there are other side effects related to mental health, stress and burnout, which have become a main occupational disease for office workers (Van der Molen et al., 2018). According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2006, p. 1), health is 'a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity'. Thus, a healthy office could be defined as a workplace that at least does not harm employees' well-being, and ideally, actively supports it.

This study analyses the relationship between interior office space and employee health by undertaking a systematic literature review. The interior space comprises individual workstations or desks and their surroundings, or the whole inner space of the office building, as opposed to the architectural outer shell and technical installations. The design of interior space includes the use of spatial elements, lighting, surface finishes, furnishings and accessories to realize the required functional and desired visual quality (Ching & Binggeli, 2004). For example, wall openings enable the passage of people, light, heat and sound; window treatments temper sunlight; and height and surface qualities of the ceiling affect acoustics and light. Elements of interior space are more frequently and easily changed than technical installations and building construction, thereby providing quicker wins to adjust the physical working environment.

Even though well-being is a trending topic in the real estate industry (Groen, Jylhä, & Van Sprang, 2018; Hanc, McAndrew, & Ucci, 2019; World Green Building Council, 2014), in discussions concerning interior space it often goes unnoticed (Smith, Metcalfe, & Lommerse, 2012). Meanwhile, the evolution of cellular offices into more open workspaces has triggered an ongoing debate on the presumed negative health effects of open-plan offices, and organizations have become more concerned about the contribution of interior space to their business goals. This challenges designers of interior space to consider both aesthetic and strategic perspectives (Haddad, 2014).

Certainly, for well-being, space matters. Following the job demands - resources theory (Bakker & Demerouti, 2017; Demerouti, Bakker, Nachreiner, & Schaufeli, 2001), the characteristics of the interior space can be a demand, for instance by causing environmental stress, as well as a resource, for instance by facilitating relaxation and social cohesion. In general, environmental stressors increase physiological arousal (Berlyne, 1960), cause stimulation overload (Cohen, 1980) and evoke coping strategies, such as social withdrawal (Folkman, Lazarus, Gruen, & DeLongis, 1986). Meanwhile, opportunities to adjust the environment mediate the experience of environmental stress (Barnes, 1981), and according to the attention restoration theory (Kaplan, 1995), green spaces aid recovery from environmental stress. In summary, a well-designed interior space can compensate for job demands and poor design can undermine job resources. Since a predominance of demands relative to resources predicts burnout (Bakker, Demerouti, & Sanz-Vergel, 2014; Hakanen, Schaufeli, & Ahola, 2008), this underlines the importance of a health-supporting office space.

Previous reviews addressing interior space in offices focus on specific outcomes (Ilies, Aw, & Pluut, 2015) or specific features (De Croon, Sluiter, Kuijer, & Frings-Dresen, 2005; Engelen et al., 2019; Richardson et al., 2017); alternatively, they lack transparency in their methods (Groen et al., 2018; Rashid & Zimring, 2008; World Green Building Council, 2014). This review covers the entire interior office space and uses a wide perspective on employee health defined earlier in this section. The main research questions of this review are as follows. (1) What features of interior space in offices are studied in relation to employee health? (2) How are these features of interior space related to employee health?

Method

This review followed the guidelines of systematic literature reviews as presented by PRISMA (Moher et al., 2015) to make the reporting transparent.

Search strategy

To find the relevant papers, the multi-disciplinary citation databases of Scopus and Web of Science Core Collection were used as search engines. Several test searches were conducted by two reviewers (A and B) in October-November 2017 to find a comprehensive search strategy for the review. Because terms referring to interior office space, such as 'office' and 'workplace' are used in multiple contexts in the literature (e.g. an office can be a doctor's consulting room or the workspace of a knowledge worker), it became apparent that the initial database needed to include a broad sample of papers for subsequent manual review. To establish the initial database of papers, the same search terms were used in both citation databases in December 2017 and later updated in April 2019. In both citation databases, each of the six search terms referring to interior space was searched for in combination with each of the six search terms referring to health (see Figure 1), resulting in 2816 papers forming the initial database.

Study selection

The initial database was screened and reviewed in three phases ( Figure 2).

In the first phase, reviewer A scanned the titles to exclude the irrelevant papers. The second phase was undertaken based on the abstracts by the same reviewer to further identify relevant and non-relevant papers. In the third phase, the papers were categorized based on the identified office features. The initial categories were later further developed to summarize the research results. The full papers were divided among five reviewers (reviewers A-E) based on the above-mentioned categories for independent review. This review phase was led and instructed by reviewers A and B. The engagement of multiple reviewers allowed to jointly decide whether a paper should be included or excluded when needed. In each phase, all reviewers used the same eligibility criteria (presented in Table 1). Through this selection process, 50 papers were included.

Information extraction

A standardized template was developed and tested by reviewers A and B to extract the information from the papers. The template included six parts: (1) paper identification information; (2) used research strategy and methods; (3) data collection information; (4) information of the studied office environment; (5) independent and dependent variables regarding office and health and (6) related results. In some papers, other dependent variables were also studied, but for this review only results related to health and well-being were reported. All reviewers (A-E) used the same templates and the review process was instructed and managed by reviewers A and B. After the third phase, a quality appraisal was performed using the standardized forms developed by the Centre for Evidence Based Management based on six types of research. The main conclusions of these appraisals were used, when needed, in the analysis phase.

Analysis strategy

The analysis was performed in two stages corresponding with the two research questions. First, content analysis was used to collect, group and regroup the studied features of interior office space, following the instructions of Krippendorff ( 2004), Miles and Huberman ( 1994) and Tuomi and Sarajärvi ( 2012). The same process was followed for the studied health aspects. Second, the paper's findings of the relationship between interior office space and aspects of health and well-being were summarized, feature-wise and paper by paper. Based on this, conclusions were drawn about the focus of the existing research on interior office space, and the resulting evidence for its relationship with employee health.

Results

Characteristics of studies

The papers show that the relationship between interior office space and employee health is an upcoming research area; 40 of the 50 included papers were published within the past decade and 27 of them within the past 5 years. The vast majority of the studies were performed within one country, most of them in Europe. There are no clear differences in scope between the areas. The papers are scattered across the literature of different disciplines.

In most papers, it is unclear for which office type the data are collected: open-plan, cellular or combination; and allocated workstations or flexible use. Most (39) of the papers concern field studies, 8 are lab studies, 1 comprises both and 2 are reviews. The two most frequently applied research designs are cross-sectional (15 papers), comparing groups at a single point in time and controlled field studies (13 papers). The remaining studies are categorized as either prospective (pre- and post-test), longitudinal (one pre-test and at least two post-tests) or systematic literature review. The methods used vary widely, and not every paper reports effect sizes.

Identified features of interior office space

The most frequently studied features of interior space are layout and specific furniture, covering half of the included papers ( Figure 3). The others concern light, greenery, control and noise. Although the search strategy includes physical well-being as well as psychological and social well-being, the features are predominantly related to physical aspects of health ( Figure 3).

Next, the identified features of interior space are presented in detail, followed by a summary analysis.

Layout

Office layout refers to the physical office space and arrangement of objects within (Lee, 2010). The included papers studied office layout at the following two levels ( Table 2): (1) individual workspaces and their physical openness and size; and (2) arrangement of spaces within the office building. In these studies, the individual workspace is referred to as an office, room, cubicle or bench.

At the level of the individual workspace, the influence of layout is studied by comparing health measures of workers in two or more types of workspaces. As a main finding, these studies show differences between open-plan workspaces and smaller rooms, predominantly to the disadvantage of open-plan workspaces (Morrison & Macky, 2017; Pejtersen, Allermann, Kristensen, & Poulsen, 2006; Pejtersen, Feveile, Christensen, & Burr, 2011); only cubicles are worse (Lindberg et al., 2018). Open-plan offices, variously defined, are associated with higher sick leave (Bodin Danielsson, Chungkham, Wulff, & Westerlund, 2014), lower levels of both physical and psychological well-being (e.g. Bodin Danielsson, Bodin, Wulff, & Theorell, 2015; Haapakangas, Hongisto, Varjo, & Lahtinen, 2018), and deterioration of co-worker relations (Brennan, Chugh, & Kline, 2002). Duncan et al. ( 2015), Engelen et al. ( 2017) and Engelen, Dhillon, Chau, Hespe, and Bauman ( 2016) find positive results for open-plan offices, but these are limited to physical well-being and related to less sitting time. The activity-based working (ABW) environment is experienced more positively than open-plan or enclosed workspaces (Engelen et al., 2016; Foley, Engelen, Gale, Bauman, & Mackey, 2016; Meijer, Frings-Dresen, & Sluiter, 2009). Although these studies are limited by small samples and the absence of a control group, the findings are remarkable, because ABW also includes open-plan workspaces. Three longitudinal studies show that some effects occur only in the long term (Meijer et al., 2009), people do not get used to negative effects (Brennan et al., 2002), and positive effects disappear when moving back to the old situation (Foley et al., 2016).

At the level of the whole office building, the influence of layout is studied by collecting data from employees before and after they moved to a new office building designed to stimulate physical activity (Engelen et al., 2017, 2016). Stimulating features regarding layout included larger distances from workspace to communal facilities and a central position for the staircase. Combined with the other features of the new office, including furniture, light and noise, the new layout is associated with less back pain. The decreased back pain could have resulted from the decreased sitting and increased standing time of the employees, which is found in both studies, although the authors do not statistically test this relationship. Since the employee's walking time does not change, it seems plausible that the decreased back pain was influenced by the new furniture rather than the new layout.

In summary, working in open workspaces with six or more occupants tends to have a negative relationship with well-being if there are no enclosed workspaces to divert to, as provided by ABW environments. The actual impact on physical health remains unclear, because these studies all rely on self-reporting.

Furniture

The reviewed papers analyse the health-supporting capacity of the following two types of furniture ( Table 3): (1) ergonomic furniture designed to fit the user's body or to stimulate alternating working postures, and thereby reduce musculoskeletal or visual discomfort while sitting (e.g. Robertson, Ciriello, & Garabet, 2013; Roossien et al., 2017; Van Niekerk, Louw, & Hillier, 2012) and (2) activating furniture to stimulate physical activity or reduce sitting time (e.g. Carr, Swift, Ferrer, & Benzo, 2016; Graves, Murphy, Shepherd, Cabot, & Hopkins, 2015).

Activating furniture is found to have few or mixed health effects despite reducing static sitting time. The furniture studied includes sit-stand workstations, being desks adjustable to the appropriate height to work seated or standing up, and a bike desk, which is a workstation with an exercise bike instead of an office chair. The experiments with this furniture show that their use leads to beneficial changes in blood pressure (Graves et al., 2015) and blood glucose level (Healy et al., 2013); other physical health parameters do not change. Results regarding musculoskeletal or visual comfort using this furniture are mixed: a positive relationship is found in two studies (Karakolis & Callaghan, 2014; Robertson et al., 2013), and a negative in one (Karakolis & Callaghan, 2014), while in three studies (Graves et al., 2015; Healy et al., 2013; Torbeyns et al., 2016) there is no relationship found.

The relationship between the furniture intervention and participants' health is measured by changes in anthropometrics (Torbeyns et al., 2016), physiological parameters (e.g. Carr et al., 2016; Healy et al., 2013) or self-reported health (e.g. Grooten et al., 2017; Roossien et al., 2017). Except for Torbeyns et al. ( 2016), these studies do not address psychological or social well-being.

Light in the workspace

Both natural and artificial light in the office, spread through wall openings, translucent materials and reflection on polished and light-coloured surfaces, result in a certain amount and quality of light in the individual workspace.

The results of the papers are summarized in Table 4. The papers show that adequate light levels and quality contribute to both physical well-being and better mood (Lamb & Kwok, 2016; Thayer et al., 2010; Veitch, Newsham, Boyce, & Jones, 2008; Viola, James, Schlangen, & Dijk, 2008), but not to alertness (Van Duijnhoven, Aarts, Rosemann, & De Kort, 2018), and that more daylight enhances sleep quality (Bjørnstad, Patil, & Raanaas, 2016; Boubekri, Cheung, Reid, Wang, & Zee, 2014). Dynamic lighting with variation of colour temperature during the day (De Kort & Smolders, 2010), and different proportions of direct and indirect light (Fostervold & Nersveen, 2008) do not impact health.

Greenery

In seven of the included papers, contact with nature is assumed to have beneficial effects on human beings, based on, for example, the air-cleaning ability of plants and studies of patient recovery. The studies related to this topic in offices are limited to views from the workspace on greenery - both real and artificial (Table 5).

For real outdoor nature views, two studies find positive (Bjørnstad et al., 2016; Kahn et al., 2008) and one study finds no health benefits (Xue, Gou, & Lau, 2016). In lab studies testing the health effect of artificial nature views, a positive effect is found for nature posters (Kweon, Ulrich, Walker, & Tassinary, 2008); nature views on a plasma display window have no health effect (Kahn et al., 2008). Overall, the reviewed papers provide only limited evidence that greenery in the workspace has a positive impact on health and no evidence that greenery has a negative impact on health.

Individual control

The research on interior space and health extends to tangible options for office workers to control their physical work environment. The following two types of control are addressed ( Table 6): (1) the possibility of adjusting the conditions of the workspace (Bluyssen, Aries, & Van Dommelen, 2011; Boerstra et al., 2015; Joines et al., 2015; Knight & Haslam, 2010; Toftum, 2010) and (2) personalization of the workstation (Wells, 2000). Both control types are found to have a positive relationship with psychological well-being, and to a lesser extent, physical well-being.

The findings also show that actual control of one aspect of the environment leads to perceived control of other aspects (Boerstra et al., 2015; Toftum, 2010). The studies on individual control emphasize physical well-being although perceived control is an important psychological factor in reducing stress (Spector & Jex, 1998). Owing to the small number of studies, their mostly cross-sectional design and mixed results, this review cannot present strong evidence that the control types investigated enhance health.

Office noise

The characteristics of the interior office space, including spatial arrangements, room dimensions and finishing materials, influence noise by absorption or reflection of sound waves. In this review, only papers that present measurements using acoustic parameters are included, since (dis)satisfaction with noise does not tell how the noise is related to characteristics of interior space (Table 7).

The reviewed papers indicate that high levels of background noise and speech intelligibility in the workplace negatively affect both physical and psychological well-being. A higher sound level causes higher self-rated fatigue (Jahncke, Hygge, Halin, Green, & Dimberg, 2011), disturbance and annoyance (Schlittmeier & Liebl, 2015). Shafiee Motlagh, Golmohammadi, Aliabadi, Faradmal, and Ranjbar ( 2018) find that a higher sound level slightly increases physiological stress, but Jahncke et al. ( 2011), using other indicators for physiological stress (see Table 7), do not find this effect.

Sound absorption lowering the sound level from 47 to 45 dB decreases perceived disturbance and stress (Seddigh, Berntson, Jönsson, Danielson, & Westerlund, 2015). Schlittmeier and Liebl ( 2015) indicate that lowering the sound level might not solve noise problems; instead, it is the combination of a high sound level and high speech intelligibility that causes disturbance.

Summary analysis

Table 8 summarizes the features of interior office space studied in the reviewed papers, and the relationships of these features with employee's physical, psychological and social well-being.

The findings of the relationship between interior office space and health are threefold. First, as Table 8 shows, open-plan offices, shared rooms and higher background noise are the only features found to negatively affect health. Second, the other features analysed in the papers more often improve health than do nothing for health. Third, positive relationships with health are reported for all features of interior space. Features that encourage physical activity, including sit-stand and bike desks, and increased distances to communal facilities, are found to have a positive relationship with physical well-being. Similarly, the increase of (day)light and individual control and the presence of plants and outdoor views show positive results for both physical and psychological well-being. Small shared rooms support social well-being.

Table 8 shows that interior office space is analysed rather as individual workspace (openness, size, furniture, light levels and acoustics) than wider interior space (e.g. meeting areas, staircases or the arrangement of workspaces and workstations). Within the individual workspace, both spatial characteristics (e.g. openness, size and distances) and presence of objects (e.g. furniture, plants, controls and acoustic tiles) are measured, forming the designer's palette, as well as the qualities resulting from the design (light, views, perceived control and noise). The features of interior space are often either studied in relative isolation (only 7 of the 50 papers cover more than one of the features in the left column) or all at once (results in brackets), without analysing their mutual relationship or ranking their influence on health.

Regarding health, Table 8 shows that the studies emphasize physical health symptoms, and pay less attention to psychological and especially social well-being. In addition, psychological well-being is measured in a more general way (mood, general annoyanceand stress) than physical well-being ('how is your back/wrist/head/nose/throat/sleep?'), while the measures for social well-being are not yet mature. The studies predominantly focus on ways to prevent and reduce health problems, such as ergonomic furniture to reduce discomfort, better lighting to reduce headaches, and sound absorption to reduce annoyance, and pay less notice to features that may enhance health, for example, real and artificial daylight to increase night sleep, nature contact as a means to recover from stress and personalization as a means to enhance well-being.

Discussion and conclusion

Strengths and limitations

This study brings together empirical research on the relationship between interior office space and employee health and well-being published in the past 26 years. The strengths of this review are its wide scope and systematic approach to the collection and screening of the literature. Its limitations include its restriction to peer-reviewed journal papers in two databases. Future research should expand the scope to cover other types of publications, such as doctoral dissertations and other scientific reports, as well as the use of more specific databases, such as PsycINFO and PubMed.

Implications

As a practical implication, the study provides support for workplace managers, interior designers, architects and corporate real estate managers, for instance, as input for verbalizing and testing assumptions about the expected effect of a design. As Haddad ( 2014, p. 284) states: 'Every design is a hypothesis but unlike scientific researches the design hypotheses are rarely expressed in projects'. Although the studies surveyed in the literature review overall lack the numbers, consistency and robustness to draw firm conclusions, they provide some directions for achieving health-supporting interior space. First, it seems that open-plan offices should be avoided, although it is not yet clear to what extent the number of occupants, spatial density and openness are related to health complaints. Furthermore, to support employee health, interior office space preferably should feature sit-stand desks, plants and sufficient (day)light. Providing employees with sit-stand desks have been shown to have a positive impact on employees' physical well-being. Although the positive health impact of viewing plants and nature in the workplace needs confirmation in large field experiments, thus far, the research shows that employees appreciate plants and feel better around them (Fjeld, 2000; Smith & Pitt, 2009). The positive influence of greenery and daylight is consistent with studies on biophilic design (Gillis, Gatersleben, Gillis, & Gatersleben, 2015) and green space (Gilchrist, Brown, & Montarzino, 2015). Above all, this review contributes to the debate on healthy offices by strengthening the evidence-based discussion.

For scientific scholars, this study contributes to a collective basis for research on interior office space to form a more united and mature research domain. The review brings together examples from different disciplines on useful research designs and instruments. It serves as a comprehensive reference source for further research in the area and provides a basis for a common language between disciplines, which helps research on the work environment to develop as a multi-disciplinary field, as proposed by Appel-Meulenbroek, Clippard, and Pfnür ( 2018).

Recommendations for future research

First, future research should aim to deepen understanding of the relationship between interior office space and employee well-being. One open-ended question is what combination of conditions causes negative experience of open-plan offices. Based on the work of Wohlers and Hertel ( 2017), future research could investigate how a well-designed ABW environment could minimize health risks and maximize health benefits. Regarding the impact of noise, future research should measure objective as well as subjective noise, and connect this to design features reducing actual noise, such as sound-absorbing wall and floor finishes and partitions, as well as options for controlling or escaping noise.

In addition to the purpose of reducing office workers' stress, future research on interior office space should address positive design, strategies to enhance their well-being by facilitating restoration, relatedness and health-supporting behaviour. After all, several features of interior space have been shown to affect social interaction and relationships (Khazanchi, Sprinkle, Masterson, & Tong, 2018; Sailer & McCulloh, 2012), and the presence of natural elements contributes to recovery from stress (Gillis et al., 2015). Creating obvious, easy and attractive opportunities for physical activity, relaxation and positive social interaction may stimulate desired behaviour through 'nudging' (Thaler & Sunstein, 2008). In the included papers, this was limited to furniture and walking distances, but there may be other features that also nudge health-related behaviour, for instance, attractive staircases (Swenson & Siegel, 2013), visual communication (Kwak, Kremers, Van Baak, & Brug, 2007) and the placement of food and drinks (Arno & Thomas, 2016; Kroese, Marchiori, & De Ridder, 2016). For an effective application of nudges, more research is needed on the long-term effects and the conditions for lasting habits (Lally, Van Jaarsveld, Potts, & Wardle, 2010).

Conclusion

This research identified a lack of strong evidence in the literature on the relationship between interior office space and individuals' well-being, specifically psychological and social well-being. The features studied include layout, furniture, light, greenery, individual control and noise. Future research not only should expand on the features of interior space and health aspects, but also should aim to develop a collective vocabulary, increase methodological strength and work toward holistic models. Developing taxonomies for interior space in offices and psychological and social well-being could contribute to transdisciplinary collaboration and progress of the field. A wider use of observational and physiological measures, validated self-report measures and longitudinal designs would add to the rigour. Including more moderating and mediating variables, and performing multivariate and multilevel analyses could yield insights into the complex interaction of people and environment. This would help office space research to mature and contribute to a more solid foundation for evidence-based design of healthy offices.

Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the support of Wim Pullen from the Center for People and Buildings, while conducting this study. In addition, the authors thank Vitalija Danivska from Aalto University, and Anja Köhler and Ruben den Uyl from TU Delft for the paper assessments and discussions, and Min Huang from Office Vitae, Delft, for her help with the 2018 update.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Inclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria

Setting: administrative office buildings or office floors

Setting: other environments, such as doctor's offices or factories

Empirical studies and systematic reviews

Theoretical papers, reviews of technology, position papers, etc.

Clear description of methods and measures

Data-collection process or analysis not transparent

Dependent variable(s), including measures of actual or perceived physical, psychological or social well-being

Dependent variable(s) not directly measuring health, such as job satisfaction, motivation and productivity

Independent variable(s), including measures of actual or perceived interior space, comprising spatial characteristics and arrangements, lighting, surfaces, furniture and accessories

Independent variables not relating to interior space, but rather, for example, to building construction, technical installations, facility services, behavioural interventions or technologies

Subjects being office workers in general, knowledge workers or clerical workers

Subjects being blue collar workers, special needs groups, the elderly, etc.

Paper

Studied interior space variable

Type of study (n) (response)

Major findings related to health and well-being

Wells ( 2000)

Workspace personalization

Cross-sectional ( n  = 338) (resp. = 51%)

Indirect relationship: personalization is correlated with satisfaction with physical work environment ( r 0.226, p < .001) and job satisfaction ( r 0.434, p < .001), which is correlated with physical and psychological well-being ( r 0,266, p  < .001).

Knight and Haslam ( 2010)

Managerial control of office space

Cross-sectional ( n  = 288/1643) (resp. = 35%)

Both studies indicate that lack of involvement in layout changes ( p < .01) and individual control of temperature ( p < .01) are moderately associated with physical and psychological well-being ( p  < .001).

Paper

Studied interior space variable

Type of study (n) (response)

Major findings related to health and well-being

References

Barnes, R. D. (1981). Perceived freedom and control in the built environment. In J. H. Harvey (Ed.), Cognition, social behavior, and the environment (pp. 409-422). Erlbaum.Hillsdale, NJ:

Berlyne, D. E. (1960). McGraw-Hill series in psychology. Conflict, arousal, and curiosity. McGraw-Hill Book Company. doi: New York: 10.1037/11164-000

Ching, F. D. K. , & Binggeli, C. (2004). Interior design illustrated (2nd ed.). Wiley & Sons.Hoboken, NJ:

Krippendorff, K. (2004). Content analysis: An introduction to its methodology (2nd ed.). Sage.Thousand Oaks, CA:

Miles, M. B. , & Huberman, M. A. (1994). Qualitative data analysis: An expanded sourcebook (2nd ed.). Sage.Thousand Oaks, CA:

Thaler, R. H. , & Sunstein, C. R. (2008). Nudge: Improving decisions about health, wealth, and happiness. Yale University Press. doi: 10.1007/s10602-008-9056-2 New Haven, CT:

Tuomi, J. , & Sarajärvi, A. (2012). Laadullinen tutkimus ja sisältöanalyysi [Qualitative research and content analysis] (9th ed.). Tammi.Vantaa:

WHO. (2006). Constitution of the World Health Organization. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/governance/eb/who_constitution_en.pdf

World Green Building Council. (2014). Health, wellbeing and productivity in offices: The next chapter for green building. Retrieved from https://www.worldgbc.org/news-media/health-wellbeing-and-productivity-offices-next-chapter-green-building

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The relationship between interior office space and employee health and well-being - a literature review

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
ABSTRACT ABSTRACT Health is a trending topic in the office market, yet scientific research on healthy offices is scattered. This study undertakes a systematic literature review on the relationship between the interior space of offices and physical, psychological and social well-being.

# data[].attributes.body
Set up a budget home office

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
With so many people working from home these days, a home office has become an essential space in many homes. The guest room may be replaced by a work-at-home spot, and all the elements must contribute to a productive time.

Not everyone has a big budget for outfitting a home office and few people can pay to have a professional space planner come into their home to design an efficient home office space.

There are lots of ways to create a good space for working at home without spending a fortune. Read these ideas, and you can go from there. You may end up feeling a great sense of accomplishment after turning some wasted space into an efficient stay-at-home office.

Define Your Space. If you're lucky enough to have a separate room for your home office, the task won't be so hard. The key to a good home office is to make use of whatever space you have, whether it's a stair landing, a small closet, a spare room, or an unused corner of the living room. For greatest efficiency, find a space that can be dedicated to a home office area. You'll be able to work more professionally if you don't have to move papers off your desk to change diapers.

Create a Plan. It might be tempting to just move the pieces around until the space works. But if you spend some time measuring your space, creating a floor plan (small as it might be), measuring your furniture, and thinking it through, the final result will be much more satisfactory.

What Can You Do Yourself? Whatever work you can do yourself will save you money. Your home office space is probably not going to be too big, so consider painting the walls yourself. Adding a fresh, lively color or a sedate, calming color will set the tone for your workspace. And if you're not a pro at painting, never fear. Most of the space will be covered up with furniture anyway. If you're feeling creative, stencil a border around the desk. Or wallpaper one wall to define the space.

What Do You Already Have? Can you move furniture or accessories from one part of the house to your new home office? If you don't have to buy some pieces, you'll save a lot. Is there a comfortable chair in the guest room? Do you have some pictures tucked away in a closet that would be inspiring and decorative on the walls of your workspace? Look around to see what you can use in your new home office.

Build a Desk. If you have a large landing between the first and second floors, you can place filing cabinets on each side of the space and put a board across them. Voilà! Instant desk. You can spend some time staining the board, putting molding on the edge, and painting the file cabinets a color close to the stained board. But the space is filled and holds everything you need it to.

What Else Can You Make? Think of other ways you can use inexpensive materials to create shelves, filing systems, and in-and-out boxes. Use a decorative flowerpot to hold pencils and scissors. Buy several multi-level shoe shelves to put on top of the desk to hold a printer, some paper, or books.

As you plan your home office space, think of all the ways you can save money. There will be plenty of ways to spend it!

Shop Around for Bargains. You'd be amazed by what you can find at garage sales, flea markets, consignment shops, and thrift stores. It seems that people are always getting rid of bookshelves and desks, and you might find just what you need. Clean off the pieces, sand them down, and paint all of the items the same color. It will look as though you bought them to match. If you don't want any hand-me-downs, keep your eye open for furniture sales or check web sources.

Be Willing to Take Used Furniture. Visit professional offices to see if they are renovating. Quality hotels redecorate guest rooms every four or five years. Maybe you could buy a used desk or chair there. Does your own company have any extra furniture that's not being used, since people are working at home? Ask neighbors to let you know if they're getting rid of things. Also, look for a used furniture store or a furniture rental store. They often have pieces they're willing to sell. Be ready to do some fixing when you take the pieces home. Check to see if your community has a store that sells used office furniture exclusively. When you go shopping for furniture, be sure to take your measurements with you. It would be a shame to get a great price on a great desk, only to find that it doesn't fit in your space.

Buy New at Bargain Prices. Discount stores, home centers, furniture outlets, lighting showrooms, and home decorating centers offer an amazing assortment of items at deeply discounted prices. You might be surprised to find a beautiful desk next to factory-second towels. And everything is at prices you'll love.

Swap With Friends. Consider trading pieces of furniture with a friend. If you have a dining table that doesn't fit in your home, how about trading it for a desk that you need? Or do you have children's furniture that a neighbor can use in exchange for bookshelves? Consider swapping services for furniture, too. Offer your decorating skills in exchange for a chair. Or make some curtains for a neighbor who could build you a desk. Everyone has something of value that they can offer.

Get Ideas Online. Find other ideas for do-it-yourself office makeovers, such as those offered on HGTV. See our sources for home office ideas or office furniture.

If you're working full-time at home, be sure to include adequate lighting, music, and comfortable seating. Bring in plants and inspiring artwork. After all, you might be spending a lot of time in this new home office. It should be a comfortable space that you enjoy spending time in.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
11 Tips for Setting up a Home Office on a Budget

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
With so many people working from home these days, a home office has become an essential space in many homes. The guest room may be replaced by a work-at-home spot, and all the elements must contribute to a productive time.

# data[].attributes.body
Eight Steps for a Smoother Transition to Online Teaching

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Faculty Focus | Higher Ed Teaching & Learning

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
As universities rush to get all their courses online quickly, there's a high probability of error but also a lot you can do to succeed. Problems may occur due to overtaxed technological infrastructure, your students' disorientation and fear, and your own learning curve. On the positive side, you learn for a living, so you are good at it! Being open to the current crisis-driven educational opportunity is a call to action. The reputation and integrity of your institution-and you!-depends upon your offering engaging online classes. (No pressure.) Below are a few tips to get you started.

Be a Learner

You're used to being an expert. But now you may be facing a situation where you aren't an expert. For most of your students, taking all their classes fully online will be a new experience. If it's new to you as well, don't be afraid to let your students know that you are learning with them. Keep a beginner's mindset. You don't have to have all the answers. Just know how to point your students in the right direction. There are many free resources online to help out. And as you would tell your students, there are no stupid questions. Ask away. Do a Google search, check in with IT, phone a friend, or ask your students. They will be happy to help if you make it clear that having a great online course is a group project.

Use Technology as a Means to an End

Don't confuse technology with teaching. The goal is to use technology to facilitate engaging and effective teaching and learning. Know that technology's tools of engagement (like discussion boards, wikis, journals, blogs, etc.) are just that-tools, not the engagement itself. What is the secret sauce? You are! Along with the community of learners that includes your students, your fellow faculty members, and every teacher on the internet! An LMS or Zoom can't stand in for a trusted advisor, mentor, or experienced subject-matter expert like you. If you are new to online teaching, take it slow initially, but don't leave out engagement.

Don't be "the Man (or Woman) Behind the Curtain"

High "instructor presence"-the feeling that an instructor is still present in an online educational experience-is more critical now than it has ever been. Log into your course every day. Yes, every day. You don't have to promise a 24-hour turnaround for responses. In fact, that will quickly exhaust you. A 48-hour turnaround response time is typical. But do respond to your students' posts if you have a discussion board. Set expectations of when you will and won't be available. Don't make Sunday night off-limits if you have an assignment due on Monday. That's not fair. Make use of group communications, like the announcement function in your LMS, to touch base with your students every few days. Instructor presence is established when your students feel that you are there for them. It doesn't have to be 24/7, but your students will miss you! So, stay in touch.

Know the Gotcha's

Partner with IT to determine the top five to six technical issues that students are likely to encounter when accessing a course online. This may be a forgotten password, a pop-up blocker, or a browser issue. Educate yourself around what the issues could be because students will turn to you for technical support. To avoid spending more time troubleshooting technical problems than teaching your content, develop FAQs or links to websites or videos that provide solutions to the most common problems. You don't have to become a programmer to intervene effectively on technical matter. You just need to tell people where they can find good information. Encourage all students to help one another, as well. If you begin to feel bogged down or frustrated with tech support questions, remember that you want to help. It's part of the reason you chose this profession!

Promote Engagement

In a pinch, there may be an impulse to use the LMS as a content repository: upload all the relevant docs, schedule a lecture in Zoom, and voila you have an online course! But such a course will not promote lasting change-as you would expect your classroom course to do. As you construct your class-even if it's on the fly-ask yourself if your expected learning outcomes will be achieved. Avoid the trap of choosing "coverage" over engagement. Let students take turns week to week leading online discussions, either via Zoom or on the discussion board. Add peer-to-peer support, try virtual group work, and provide frequent opportunities for feedback. You don't have to be technologically inclined to let your students know that you care about what they have to say.

Upskill, Upskill, Upskill

Just as you shouldn't overemphasize the role of technology in this educational moment, you don't want to underplay it either. Everyone (faculty, administrators, and students) will need to upskill themselves in educational technology quickly. There are many free resources out there to get you started. Check out LinkedIn (which merged with Lynda.com) to find short videos on how to work in an LMS. If your university's IT department is overloaded, take matters into your own hands by using OERs (Open Educational Resources). OERs provide a wealth of information and resources (such as videos, articles, examples, case studies, rubrics) and other things useful for you and your students. Creative Commons is a good place to start, and YouTube has some very helpful videos, as well.

Survey Often and Early

Survey your students about how it is going early into your tenure as an online instructor. Fear not. You can handle the truth! Quick surveys are a way to take the temperature of the room, a sense of the meeting. They provide an early warning system. The point is not to give yourself a grade but to find out which students are struggling and what they are struggling with. A simple 3-question questionnaire will do. Use a tool like Survey Monkey if you don't know how to set up a survey in your LMS. Ask simple open-ended questions like: "What is the best thing about this experience so far? What would you do differently? How can I help?" An instructor may be unaware that half of the class can't access one of the assignments because of a pop-up blocker or some other easy-to-fix issue. Believe it or not, communicating with your students online may give you the opportunity to be more connected to them as individuals.

Keep it Simple

Think of your first online course as Version 1.0. Remember that the first time out of the gate won't be perfect. Long past the national health crisis, there's likely to be a version 2.0 and 3.0. Keep track of what you "wish you had known" as you go through the rest of the semester, and plan to use these nuggets of knowledge in future online courses. If you don't have time to make videos, post your PPTs. If you don't have PPTs, post your notes. If you don't have notes, dictate your expertise into an audio recording application (such as VoiceThread) or just use your phone to create an audio (MP3) or video (MP4) file.

All of this being said, don't be too hard on yourself. You are, after all, making the plane while flying it! Allow yourself to make mistakes. Experiment. Have fun. You know this teaching-with-technology thing has been on your to-do list for a long time. So, let this be the opportunity you've been waiting for. You are not alone. The whole world-your students, their parents, your colleagues, and your family and friends-are pulling for you right now. Our higher education system depends not upon your technical expertise, but your pedagogical passion. Keep your love of teaching front and center while you learn this important 21 st century skill!

Bio: Dr. J.A. Miller is a digital learning professional with extensive experience in online learning development and delivery. After receiving her Ph.D. English, she developed an expertise in educational technology. She is currently Director of Learning Design for ansrsource, a learning design company. Dr. Miller's background features a unique mixture of strategic consulting, curriculum design, faculty development. She has more than 20 years' experience as an online and face-to-face instructor and brings together theory and practice in her approach to creating outstanding, transformational learning experiences.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Eight Steps for a Smoother Transition to Online Teaching

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
As universities rush to get all their courses online quickly, there's a high probability of error but also a lot you can do to succeed. Problems may occur due to overtaxed technological infrastructure, your students' disorientation and fear, and your own learning curve.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Planning on working from home? You're among the emerging trend of remote workers who work from their home office.
This handy guide helps you maximize your newfound freedom (and responsibility). These tips don't only apply to individual contributors, but also managers and team leaders.
Working from the home office affords many benefits to increase performance, business continuity, and achieve greater work-life balance.
Although working from home was once a luxury, it is now a mainstay among large companies and small businesses. The key reason?Productivity. Working from home is great, but it can be problematic if it's not well managed.
Let's dig into the tips and best practices for working from home.

Top 32 Working from Home Tips

Nextiva has provided businesses with robust communication solutions for more than 12 years. We have enabled thousands of companies to scale their remote working staff-so we've seen what works and what doesn't.

1) Build a Permanent Work Space

The first step in your "work from home" journey is to designate an area of your home, specifically for getting work done.
This could be an empty or spare bedroom that you convert to a home office. If you are pressed for space, you can set up a desk for your computer and office supplies.
Regardless of space or location, establish an area of your home where you will work, and commit to working in this space every day. Be sure your workspace is quiet so you can focus on the task at hand.
Related: 33 Ways to Improve Work Performance (+Bonus Tips for Managers)

2) Invest in Quality Technology

Yes, setting up a home office or workspace may require a small investment. Much like starting a new business, you may have to purchase technology, such as a desktop, laptop, tablet, or remote phone system to do your job every day.
A high-performance router will save you from many technology hassles. Since working from home often requires more than chat messages, you need a router that will keep up. A router from several years ago might be prone to common network issues.
Depending on the nature of your work, you may also need to purchase hardware or software. Our recommendation?
Invest in whatever you need to comfortably and efficiently do your job.

3) Get Comfortable Office Furniture

You may also need to invest in office furniture if you haven't already. Depending on the amount of space available, consider purchasing a large desk, bookshelves, and a comfortable office chair.
You don't have to go with the top of the line desk. Ikea offers affordable desks that are relatively simple to set up in your home office. Combine it with a powerfulmonitor arm to maximize your desk space.
Remember, the point is that you will be working in this space every day.
Purchase comfortable and functional furniture, including ergonomic furniture or equipment.

4) Set Real Work Hours

Now that you have your office or work area set up, it's time to get down to business - literally. If you are going to make working from home an everyday commitment, then set specific business or work hours.
The beauty of working from home is that you can be flexible in setting your working hours. For example, if you are most productive in the morning, or if you need to get the kids to school, then you may want to set your work hours from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Use your deep focus to zoom through your tasks. Keep reading to see how to manage your time effectively.
Enforce a hard limit at the end of the day. Distance yourself from work, so you don't work nonstop.
Regardless of your schedule, be sure to establish set work hours to follow each day. Communicate your work schedule to co-workers, teams, and your boss.

5) Avoid Work Creep

A career that lets you work from home can be invasive in your personal life. This is because if you are always home and near your work, then your work creeps into your home life. Yes, the risk is real, but only if you let it.
This goes back to setting work hours. By setting specific work hours and sticking to them, you willincrease performance and develop a healthy work schedule.
At the end of the day, shut down your laptop, set your work app to "away," and shut your office door. You (and your team) will be grateful.

6) Discover Your High Productivity Periods

Every individual is most productive at different times of the day. For example, some individuals are morning people, and they are most productive and focused during the morning hours. For others, their most productive time in the workday is the evenings.
Discover when you are most productive and build your work schedule around your peak productivity periods.

7) Update Your To-Do List Every Mornings

When working from home and you don't have a boss breathing down your neck, it can be challenging to keep track of what you have to do throughout your workday. It's easy to lose sight of priorities, tasks, and deadlines.
Start your day by reviewing priorities for the day. When you make your task list, stick to it. It's tempting to just leap into your email, but with a little extra focus, you can move the needle while working from home.
Set goals and time limits for each task. After you complete each task, cross it off the list. This simple technique is both effective and fulfilling.
Stay on task by quickly writing down all the things that need to get done at the start of each day.

8) Use a Planner

In addition to making to-do lists, get into the habit of using a calendar or planner. For example, if you work from home some days but you are on the road others, get in the habit of using a planner to write down and keep track of deadlines, appointments, and meetings.
Many differenttask management tools make telecommuting a breeze. By organizing tasks into projects, you can attack them one bite at a time.
Use a planner to log all tasks and activities, no matter if you work remotely or in the office. Plan the work and work the plan.

9) Stick to One Project Management App

If you aren't a "write-it-down" to-do list or planner person, don't worry-there are plenty of modern project management apps available that can still help you. These are great if you are WFH.
Top project management apps include:

Most of these apps offer both web-based and mobile versions so that you can use them on your phone. Some can even be integrated with other apps, such as Cospace, for team collaboration. And the best part? Most of these apps offer a free version.
Move your mountain of tasks into a project management app and break meaty projects into a series of tasks and assign them to your remote team.

10) Don't Work in Your PJs

We know - this is one reason why people love working from home. If you enjoy working in your PJs, then you are killing your productivity. "Dress for success" isn't just a corporate catchphrase; it really matters when you work from home.
Beyond psychologically getting you in the right mindset for work, you'll be ready to handle any kind of video chat or check-in with a teammate. You'll be prepared to get work done, and you will be mentally and physically prepared for the day.
Even if you don't leave the house, dress for work as if you were in the office.

11) Don't Work in the Living Room

This is another productivity killer. Some folks might think "working from home" is a day to binge Netflix. Wrong. It might be fine to indulge in this vice once, but it will catch up to you if you're not careful.
It's wise to take to heart why working at home works. It's not just about avoiding meetings and conference calls. In fact, quite the opposite. Remote workers know the responsibility that comes with working in their quarters.
Avoid the TV and otherdigital distractions so you can focus on your work and getting things done. However, if used just for background noise, it's probably okay.
Avoid watching TV while working; it sucks up your focus from the purpose of working at home. Instead, stream music that complements your work style.

12) Develop a Morning Routine

Another enjoyable perk of working from home is not having to get up, rush out of the house, and commute to an office.
However, working from home doesn't mean you get to skip your morning routine altogether. Since you'll likely be cooped up indoors, take a brief walk around the block to take in the fresh air.
Get up early, take a shower, make your coffee and breakfast, and prepare your lunch, just like you have to leave the house.

13) Set Multiple Alarms

Even if you don't have to be up as early to leave for the office, you should still set an alarm to commit to wake up at the same time. This will prevent you from sleeping in too late and will keep you on a healthy sleep schedule.
Human beings arecreatures of habit. We are incredibly dependent on routines, schedules, and structure. Alarms aren't just for waking up. Consider adding an alarm for lunch and wrap-up since working from home tends to blur these lines.
Follow a strict routine and set specific work hours to be more focused, more alert, and more productive.

14) Exercise & Stretch Regularly

Exercise naturally boosts endorphins, which increases happiness, enjoyment, and interest levels, all of which are important for productivity.
Regularly stretching helps you maintain great posture. At a minimum, stretch throughout the day so you don't get sore or hinder your quality of life.
You can also leave yourself motivational sticky notes by your bed, so they are the first thing you see and read in the morning. We recommend exercising in the morning when you have fewer objections and a longer payoff throughout the day.
If your day allows, take a lunch break and go for a walk, go to the gym, or stretch.

15) Eat Healthy Meals & Snacks

Another work from home reality is that we have full access to the kitchen. So, when it's time for lunch or a snack break, we are immediately drawn to the usual snacks, such as chips, cookies, or leftover pizza.
When we work in an office, we are at the mercy of whatever is available in the cafeteria or whatever lunch we brought from home.
However, research has shown that eating fruits and vegetables has a direct link on overall productivity levels. You can also avoid buying unhealthy snacks altogether. With extra planning, you can purchase more nutritional snacks on Amazon rather than buying on impulse.
Reward yourself with a sweet snack on Friday after a successful and productive week.
If you are an avid snacker, then make it a point to make yourself a healthy lunch, just as you would if you had to go into an office.

16) Take Short Breaks

Although we have focused most of this article on how to stay productive while working from home, sometimes the opposite can happen. We think that by working from home, we will be able to get more done because there will be fewer distractions. Therefore, sometimes we end up over-committing and working too much, which also kills productivity.
Although taking breaks might seem counterproductive, research has shown that taking short breaks can actually increase productivity and creativity levels. If you don't have a work-life balance, then you won't last too long working at home.
You can easily avoid this by working short, five-minute breaks into your daily schedule, or even make them a part of your rewards system.

17) Create a Rewards System

We mentioned using a rewards system in the point above. This is an easy way to help you get things done - even the things you have been procrastinating or putting off.
For example, take a five-minute break to go for a stroll through your neighborhood, grab a healthy snack, take your dog to the park down the street. Once you finish a necessary business call, switch over the laundry.
Although it seems simple, using a basic rewards system will help you get things done and also feel fulfilled.

18) Use Time Management Apps

If you struggle with staying on task while working from home, then you may need to kick things up a notch and use a time management app.
For example, some productivity apps will track the amount of time you spend on each task and even minimize distractions. Some examples of these types of apps include the following:

Using a time tracker app will help you see your productivity levels each day and week. This will not only provide you with insight as to when you are most productive during the day, but it will also show you how much time you spend on each task.
If you take calls at home for acall center, pay attention to your metrics. Call center metrics might tell a different story if you don't manage your time effectively.
If you spend too much time than what is necessary on repetitive tasks, it may be time to look into some automation solutions for even more productivity!

19) Stay Off Social Media

I think we can agree that we are all guilty of this one from time to time. Social media can be a giant time-suck if you aren't careful.
That is more time than most people spend sleeping or working! Furthermore, many mobile apps now reveal to users how much time they spend in each one. This is eye-opening, especially for casual social media users.
Get familiar with your company's social media guidelines. They might even want you to engage in their approved channels like LinkedIn.
Minimizing mindless use of social media helps avoid distractions, so you can focus on getting more done.
If you love using social media, then make it a habit to shut off social media notifications during the day. Consider muting your notifications on your phone.

20) Listen to Music

Depending on the nature of your work, it helps to turn on some background music. Spotify is a great streaming service that lets you pick moods for focus and productivity. Since you're working at home, you don't want it too loud or distracting - ensure you can quickly mute it to take a business call.
Listen to music throughout the day at a modest volume to give you the focus you need. Check out the different "moods" offered by Spotify to achieve peak productivity while working from home.

21) Step Outside

Since you'll be cooped up indoors to work, many of us often forget that there's an outside world out there. Open some windows to let sunlight in and take some time throughout your day to go outside - at least to your patio or backyard.
Boost creativity and productivity by stepping outside a few times throughout the day. Even just for a few minutes, it's better than being stuck indoors.

22) Use Video Chat

Yes, the video conference-the hallmark of remote work. Working from home can get pretty lonely, especially if you are single or live alone. Make it a point to chat with colleagues, team members, or clients each day.
It matters. You're not just a cog in a machine. You don't even have to talk about work, but just to connect as co-workers and people. Humanity must not be lost in working remotely.
There are many video chat applications available today, such as:

Depending on the nature of your work, you could end up spending almost all of your day on video conferences chatting with your team. We recommend working in a well-lit room; it brings out your best features.
Video chat is a great way to stay connected with your team. Meet regularly, and don't forget to relax and have a little fun.

23) Hack Your Lunch Break for Errands

If you're working from home each day, you'll often find that you have some additional flexibility in your time. Even then, you might feel tethered to your home.
Structuring your day is important. To run an errand, or schedule a quick doctor's visit, try to schedule them for your lunch break just as you would if you worked in an office. The best part is, you won't need to bother with small talk on the way out the door.
Leverage your lunchtime to take care of personal tasks. While you're out, use your business phone app on the go to never miss a beat.

24) Avoid Family, Friends & Pets

This can be difficult, especially if you have young children at home, or have multiple pets, all of whom want your attention. If you are home all day, every day, then family and friends might interrupt you without knowing better.
It's best to set some clear boundaries with your family while you work. It's not being mean if it results in better performance at work.
The counterpoint to this work from home tip is you must be present for your family and friends when away from work. Show up 100% and put your business phone away outside of work hours.
Set and stick to specific work hours and communicate those hours clearly with your family and friends.

25) Create a Vision Board

If you have been working from home for several years, it might eventually become boring and uninspiring. You might struggle with enjoying your work. A vision board can help.
A vision board is just that: a board that you can use to write notes and post pictures of your dreams and aspirations. The visualization aspect of a vision board is a great and powerful mind exercise. It can help you feel the way you want to feel. Such inspiration can help you get out of a slump while working from home, paving a clear path to productivity and success.
Create a vision board with goals and aspirations personally and professionally and look at it every day. Working at home should get you closer to those goals.

26) Check in With Co-Workers Frequently

Take the time to meet with your team regularly. The meetings should have an agenda actively involving all members, so they contribute. Dedicate time to meet privately with each member so they can share status updates, receive coaching, and discuss developments from their personal life.
Be mindful under the context of why people work from home. Remote employees might miss some aspects of the office. Beyond handling phone calls, be sure to discuss the bigger projects they are working on.
Make remote employees feel valued and included through live video meetings and conference calls regularly.

27) Declare Your WFH Availability

For the employee who works from home, they're aware of their availability, but colleagues might not be. Given the sea of tools to work remotely and collaborate, it can be challenging for your team to stay in touch.
Communicate dates and hours (with time zones) for your work time, what capacity you are working in, and how others can get in touch. This effort avoids assumptions that you're skipping the office or refusing contact.
If you have a business communication app likeNextiva, use its status features(Away/Available) for to show teammates your availability. While you're at it, check out some other benefits of using Nextiva for business communication and collaboration.
Keep your team informed about your work-at-home schedule, key projects, and methods to get in contact with you.
28) Assume Positive Intent

One limitation of working from home is that team chat messaging sometimes falls short of expressing ideas clearly. It's easy to think a quick remark was made to be rude or even flippant.
Remind yourself not to take seemingly short or snide responses offensively. For some members of theremote workforce, they are just efficient in their replies. Consider using emoji to support your intent in your declarations with your team.
Focus on the facts and assume positive intent where it might not otherwise be seen. Use emoji and emoticons to convey emotions with your team.

29) Connect With Your Team Offsite

For companies that are all-in on building a remote team, they will soon encounter a strong interest in meeting as a team throughout the year. One way to do this is a remote team offsite. Make it impactful and meaningful to forge and strengthen relationships.
Beyond team building, you want to be extremely intentional with the agenda to make the entire experience worthwhile. Conduct a strategic business review, SWOT analysis, and deep-dive intoKPIs and metrics.
Companies should budget time and resources to welcome employees into the office at least twice a year, so they connect with the team. Go out for lunches and connect outside of the context of just work, too.
Plan an annual team offsite and bring in your remote employees to the office to strengthen the working relationship. It builds loyalty, respect, and trust among colleagues.

30) Invest in a Good Pair of Headphones

Even if you have a brand new laptop or a new smartphone, you will want to invest in a quality pair of headphones with a mic. Noise-canceling features can really help improve the clarity of your phone calls. With modern virtual phone systems, you will appreciate the higher fidelity of your calls.
Look for headset features such as long battery life, Bluetooth compatibility, microphone, and noise canceling. These all work together to make your remote working duties a little easier.
Get a good pair of headphones. If you don't, ask your employer to purchase them as part of your work-from-home toolkit.

31) Stay Vigilant Against Security Risks

Just because you're not in the office doesn't mean you're not a target for hackers. Your work machine is incredibly valuable for thieves and criminals, so take care to work securely.

Be aware of how your company's network policies such as the use of Wi-Fi, personal devices, and more.

Employ a "trust but verify" mentality for documents sent to your inbox.

Use a business-grade Virtual Private Network (VPN) for encryption. Larger organizations are likely to have an approved VPN solution.

Know how to get IT assistance and report security threats.

Close your room's door to avoid disclosing sensitive information to family members or visitors.

Don't slack off on your duty to keep your home office equipment secure. Understand how to protect yourself from common security threats.
32) Use Professional Communication Tools

You might be using free tools to communicate with your team today. The SaaS market has capitalized on the freemium model to upgrade to paid plans. The problem with personal apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Google Hangouts - as an aggregate - is they don't necessarily improve internal communication.
Consider upgrading to abusiness communication platform that brings your phone system, team chat, sales pipeline, and customer support together.
Choose the right communication platform to help your team work remotely instead of a myriad of chat apps and a spreadsheet of cell phone numbers.

Why Working From Home is Critically Important to Every Business

Believe it or not, but working from home is quite common with nearly 40% of companies offering positions to work-at-home.
Maintainingbusiness continuity is something every company leader needs to think about. Diversifying where employees work is one of the ways businesses can withstand such unexpected changes in the market. With a remote workforce, employers can limit the effects of any disaster so the company can stay operational. Plus, they can adjust their work hours around local needs.
Since the cost of a broadband internet connection with a strongWi-Fi signal has decreased every year, working from home is common. For those who use Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) solutions, they can maintain connectivity between co-workers and customers.

Related: Pros & Cons of Working From Home vs. Working in an Office
Benefits for employees go well beyond skipping a commute. On the mind of every remote employee is the well-being of their family members and their welfare. Employees can meet both needs if they can work from home full-time.
The benefits of telecommuting from home save employers on commercial real estate, among other technology infrastructure issues prevalent in offices today. Consistently, survey after survey, remote workers are happier across the board when they work from home.
It takes more than a high-speed internet connection and video conferencing to work from home effectively.
There's a little truth to the natural skepticism some employers have about their teams to work remotely. In 2020, working from home is no longer such a novel concept.
Start putting these work from home tips into practice now to streamline your routine and increase your productivity.
Working Remotely? Here's How Nextiva Empowers Your Team

Share this article

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Gaetano DiNardi

Gaetano DiNardi led demand generation at Nextiva and has a track record of success working with brands like Major League Baseball, Pipedrive, Sales Hacker, and Outreach.io. Outside of marketing, Gaetano is an accomplished music producer and songwriter. He's worked with major artists like Fat Joe, Shaggy, and loves making music to stay turbocharged.

Posts from this author

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
32 Working from Home Tips You Can Do Right Now

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Planning on working from home? You're among the emerging trend of remote workers who work from their home office. This handy guide helps you maximize your newfound freedom (and responsibility). These tips don't only apply to individual contributors, but also managers and team leaders.

# data[].attributes.body
Novotney, A. (2019). American Psychological Association.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Overview

CE credits: 1

Learning objectives: After reading this article, CE candidates will be able to:

1. Identify the effects of social isolation and loneliness on physical, mental and cognitive health.

2. Explore how loneliness differs from social isolation.

3. Discuss evidence-based interventions for combating loneliness.

For more information on earning CE credit for this article, go to www.apa.org/ed/ce/resources/ce-corner.

According to a 2018 national survey by Cigna, loneliness levels have reached an all-time high, with nearly half of 20,000 U.S. adults reporting they sometimes or always feel alone. Forty percent of survey participants also reported they sometimes or always feel that their relationships are not meaningful and that they feel isolated.

Such numbers are alarming because of the health and mental health risks associated with loneliness. According to a meta-analysis co-authored by Julianne Holt-Lunstad, PhD, a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Brigham Young University, lack of social connection heightens health risks as much as smoking 15 cigarettes a day or having alcohol use disorder. She's also found that loneliness and social isolation are twice as harmful to physical and mental health as obesity (Perspectives on Psychological Science , Vol. 10, No. 2, 2015).

"There is robust evidence that social isolation and loneliness significantly increase risk for premature mortality, and the magnitude of the risk exceeds that of many leading health indicators," Holt-Lunstad says.

In an effort to stem such health risks, campaigns and coalitions to reduce social isolation and loneliness-an individual's perceived level of social isolation-have been launched in Australia, Denmark and the United Kingdom. These national programs bring together research experts, nonprofit and government agencies, community groups and skilled volunteers to raise awareness of loneliness and address social isolation through evidence-based interventions and advocacy.

But is loneliness really increasing, or is it a condition that humans have always experienced at various times of life? In other words, are we becoming lonelier or just more inclined to recognize and talk about the problem?

These are tough questions to answer because historical data about loneliness are scant. Still, some research suggests that social isolation is increasing, so loneliness may be, too, says Holt-Lunstad. The most recent U.S. census data, for example, show that more than a quarter of the population lives alone-the highest rate ever recorded. In addition, more than half of the population is unmarried, and marriage rates and the number of children per household have declined since the previous census. Rates of volunteerism have also decreased, according to research by the University of Maryland's Do Good Institute, and an increasing percentage of Americans report no religious affiliation -suggesting declines in the kinds of religious and other institutional connections that can provide community.

"Regardless of whether loneliness is increasing or remaining stable, we have lots of evidence that a significant portion of the population is affected by it," says Holt-Lunstad. "Being connected to others socially is widely considered a fundamental human need-crucial to both well-being and survival."

As experts in behavior change, psychologists are well-positioned to help the nation combat loneliness. Through their research and public policy work, many psychologists have been providing data and detailed recommendations for advancing social connection as a U.S. public health priority on both the societal and individual levels.

"With an increasing aging population, the effects of loneliness on public health are only anticipated to increase," Holt-Lunstad says. "The challenge we face now is figuring out what can be done about it."

Who is most likely?

Loneliness is an experience that has been around since the beginning of time-and we all deal with it, according to Ami Rokach, PhD, an instructor at York University in Canada and a clinical psychologist. "It's something every single one of us deals with from time to time," he explains, and can occur during life transitions such as the death of a loved one, a divorce or a move to a new place. This kind of loneliness is referred to by researchers as reactive loneliness.

Problems can arise, however, when an experience of loneliness becomes chronic, Rokach notes. "If reactive loneliness is painful, chronic loneliness is torturous," he says. Chronic loneliness is most likely to set in when individuals either don't have the emotional, mental or financial resources to get out and satisfy their social needs or they lack a social circle that can provide these benefits, says psychologist Louise Hawkley, PhD, a senior research scientist at the research organization NORC at the University of Chicago.

"That's when things can become very problematic, and when many of the major negative health consequences of loneliness can set in," she says.

Last year, a Pew Research Center survey of more than 6,000 U.S. adults linked frequent loneliness to dissatisfaction with one's family, social and community life. About 28 percent of those dissatisfied with their family life feel lonely all or most of the time, compared with just 7 percent of those satisfied with their family life. Satisfaction with one's social life follows a similar pattern: 26 percent of those dissatisfied with their social lives are frequently lonely, compared with just 5 percent of those who are satisfied with their social lives. One in five Americans who say they are not satisfied with the quality of life in their local communities feel frequent loneliness, roughly triple the 7 percent of Americans who are satisfied with the quality of life in their communities.

And, of course, loneliness can occur when people are surrounded by others-on the subway, in a classroom, or even with their spouses and children, according to Rokach, who adds that loneliness is not synonymous with chosen isolation or solitude. Rather, loneliness is defined by people's levels of satisfaction with their connectedness, or their perceived social isolation.

Effects of loneliness and isolation

As demonstrated by a review of the effects of perceived social isolation across the life span, co-authored by Hawkley, loneliness can wreak havoc on an individual's physical, mental and cognitive health (Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B , Vol. 370, No. 1669, 2015). Hawkley points to evidence linking perceived social isolation with adverse health consequences including depression, poor sleep quality, impaired executive function, accelerated cognitive decline, poor cardiovascular function and impaired immunity at every stage of life. In addition, a 2019 study led by Kassandra Alcaraz, PhD, MPH, a public health researcher with the American Cancer Society, analyzed data from more than 580,000 adults and found that social isolation increases the risk of premature death from every cause for every race (American Journal of Epidemiology , Vol. 188, No. 1, 2019). According to Alcaraz, among black participants, social isolation doubled the risk of early death, while it increased the risk among white participants by 60 to 84 percent.

"Our research really shows that the magnitude of risk presented by social isolation is very similar in magnitude to that of obesity, smoking, lack of access to care and physical inactivity," she says. In the study, investigators weighted several standard measures of social isolation, including marital status, frequency of religious service attendance, club meetings/group activities and number of close friends or relatives. They found that overall, race seemed to be a stronger predictor of social isolation than sex; white men and women were more likely to be in the least isolated category than were black men and women.

The American Cancer Society study is the largest to date on all races and genders, but previous research has provided glimpses into the harmful effects of social isolation and loneliness. A 2016 study led by Newcastle University epidemiologist Nicole Valtorta, PhD, for example, linked loneliness to a 30 percent increase in risk of stroke or the development of coronary heart disease (Heart , Vol. 102, No. 13). Valtorta notes that a lonely individual's higher risk of ill health likely stems from several combined factors: behavioral, biological and psychological.

"Lacking encouragement from family or friends, those who are lonely may slide into unhealthy habits," Valtorta says. "In addition, loneliness has been found to raise levels of stress, impede sleep and, in turn, harm the body. Loneliness can also augment depression or anxiety."

Last year, researchers at the Florida State University College of Medicine also found that loneliness is associated with a 40 percent increase in a person's risk of dementia ( The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, online 2018). Led by Angelina Sutin, PhD, the study examined data on more than 12,000 U.S. adults ages 50 years and older. Participants rated their levels of loneliness and social isolation and completed a cognitive battery every two years for up to 10 years.

Among older adults in particular, loneliness is more likely to set in when an individual is dealing with functional limitations and has low family support, Hawkley says. Better self-rated health, more social interaction and less family strain reduce older adults' feelings of loneliness, according to a study, led by Hawkley, examining data from more than 2,200 older adults (Research on Aging , Vol. 40, No. 4, 2018). "Even among those who started out lonely, those who were in better health and socialized with others more often had much better odds of subsequently recovering from their loneliness," she says.

A 2015 study led by Steven Cole, MD, a professor of medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, provides additional clues as to why loneliness can harm overall health (PNAS , Vol. 112, No. 49, 2015). He and his colleagues examined gene expressions in leukocytes, white blood cells that play key roles in the immune system's response to infection. They found that the leukocytes of lonely participants-both humans and rhesus macaques-showed an increased expression of genes involved in inflammation and a decreased expression of genes involved in antiviral responses.

Loneliness, it seems, can lead to long-term "fight-or-flight" stress signaling, which negatively affects immune system functioning. Simply put, people who feel lonely have less immunity and more inflammation than people who don't.

Combating loneliness

While the harmful effects of loneliness are well established in the research literature, finding solutions to curb chronic loneliness has proven more challenging, says Holt-Lunstad.

Developing effective interventions is not a simple task because there's no single underlying cause of loneliness, she says. "Different people may be lonely for different reasons, and so a one-size-fits-all kind of intervention is not likely to work because you need something that is going to address the underlying cause." Rokach notes that efforts to minimize loneliness can start at home, with teaching children that aloneness does not mean loneliness. Also, he says, schools can help foster environments in which children look for, identify and intervene when a peer seems lonely or disconnected from others.

In terms of additional ways to address social isolation and feelings of loneliness, research led by Christopher Masi, MD, and a team of researchers at the University of Chicago suggests that interventions that focus inward and address the negative thoughts underlying loneliness in the first place seem to help combat loneliness more than those designed to improve social skills, enhance social support or increase opportunities for social interaction ( Personality and Social Psychology Review, Vol. 15, No. 3, 2011). The meta-analysis reviewed 20 randomized trials of interventions to decrease loneliness in children, adolescents and adults and showed that addressing what the researchers termed maladaptive social cognition through cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) worked best because it empowered patients to recognize and deal with their negative thoughts about self-worth and how others perceive them, says Hawkley, one of the study's co-authors.

Still, some research has found that engaging older adults in community and social groups can lead to positive mental health effects and reduce feelings of loneliness. Last year, Julene Johnson, PhD, a University of California, San Francisco researcher on aging, examined how joining a choir might combat feelings of loneliness among older adults (The Journals of Gerontology: Series B , online 2018). Half of the study's 12 senior centers were randomly selected for the choir program, which involved weekly 90-minute choir sessions, including informal public performances. The other half of the centers did not participate in choir sessions. After six months, the researchers found no significant differences between the two groups on tests of cognitive function, lower body strength and overall psychosocial health. But they did find significant improvements in two components of the psychosocial evaluation among choir participants: This group reported feeling less lonely and indicated they had more interest in life. Seniors in the non-choir group saw no change in their loneliness, and their interest in life declined slightly.

Researchers at the University of Queensland in Australia have also found that older adults who take part in social groups such as book clubs or church groups have a lower risk of death (BMJ Open , Vol. 6, No. 2, 2016). Led by psychologist Niklas Steffens, PhD, the team tracked the health of 424 people for six years after they had retired and found that social group membership had a compounding effect on quality of life and risk of death. Compared with those still working, every group membership lost after retirement was associated with around a 10 percent drop in quality of life six years later. In addition, if participants belonged to two groups before retirement and kept these up over the following six years, their risk of death was 2 percent, rising to 5 percent if they gave up membership in one group and to 12 percent if they gave up membership in both.

"In this regard, practical interventions need to focus on helping retirees to maintain their sense of purpose and belonging by assisting them to connect to groups and communities that are meaningful to them," the authors say.

To that end, cohousing appears to be growing in popularity among young and old around the world as a way to improve social connections and decrease loneliness, among other benefits. Cohousing communities and mixed-age residences are intentionally built to bring older and younger generations together, either in whole neighborhoods within single-family homes or in larger apartment buildings, where they share dining, laundry and recreational spaces. Neighbors gather for parties, games, movies or other events, and the cohousing piece makes it easy to form clubs, organize child and elder care, and carpool. Hawkley and other psychologists argue that these living situations may also provide an antidote to loneliness, particularly among older adults. Although formal evaluations of their effectiveness in reducing loneliness remain scarce, cohousing communities in the United States now number 165 nationwide, according to the Cohousing Association, with another 140 in the planning stages.

"Older adults have become so marginalized and made to feel as though they are no longer productive members of society, which is lonely-making in and of itself," Hawkley says. "For society to be healthy, we have to find ways to include all segments of the population, and many of these intergenerational housing programs seem to be doing a lot in terms of dispelling myths about old age and helping older individuals feel like they are important and valued members of society again."

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Evidence links perceived loneliness and social isolation with depression, poor sleep quality, impaired executive function, accelerated cognitive decline, poor cardiovascular function and impaired immunity at every stage of life.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
There's a lot of information out there about PLNs, but sometimes you just want a simple guide to get you started.

Here it is. This infographic gives a very brief, four step guide to initiating a PLN. Of course, a PLN is not something that you can develop in an afternoon, but by following the steps in this guide, you can make a start, and you know what they say, a journey of a thousand steps...

There's a printable PDF version also if you want to post this in your classroom, library or elsewhere (click the link, or the infographic image below).

Below the infographic are links to the other PLN posts I've written, so if you want to delve deeper, it's easy to find them.

Creating and maintaining a PLN can be so rewarding - and don't forget to add me to your network - I'd love to learn with you!

Other posts on PLNs that I have written include:
PLNs: Theory and Practice
Supercharge your PLN - Part One, Part Two and Part Three
The Symphonic Magic of the PLN Personalised Learning through the PLN My PLN in Action - Real Life Examples Exploring the pedagogical potential of PLNs

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
There's a lot of information out there about PLNs, but sometimes you just want a simple guide to get you started. Here it is. This infographic gives a very brief, four step guide to initiating a PLN.