Reusable water bottle

Becoming parched during the workday can slow down production and leave you feeling drained. Even mild dehydration can take its toll on cognitive functioning skills like attention, focus, and memory. Maintain your productivity by keeping a water bottle filled and on hand throughout the day to stay hydrated, energized, and alert. If you’re unsure how much water you need, eight glasses a day is a good start. However, amounts required can differ for your specific needs. For instance, hot weather and physical activity can increase your water demand. A good rule of thumb is to drink water whenever your body signals thirst.

Make it fun and choose a water bottle that fits your style or mood—funky print, quirky phrase, classic stainless, or one of the latest fruit infusion water bottles. While it’s easy to forget about getting enough water throughout the day, a water bottle within sight and reach can help you stay hydrated. Getting up to fill it every hour or so is good motivation to take a much-needed stretch break.

Laptop stand

Good posture reduces body aches and helps you maintain a high energy level. A laptop isn’t always the best choice for great posture while working. Using a stand can position your back and shoulders in proper alignment and make for a much more comfortable workday. With a laptop stand, you can alternate between sitting and standing using its adjustable height feature. Its portability allows you to work anywhere in the house.

Desk organizer

The top of your desk is prime real estate. With documents, planners, bills, and receipts, it’s easy for organization to quickly get out of hand. All too often the only system in place is a semi-chronological pile of papers. A desk organizer can help eliminate the clutter and make things run smoothly. These little gadgets can manage your workday tools or paperwork and come in a variety of styles to match your home office.

Wireless keyboard

By eliminating the need for cables, wireless keyboards offer greater flexibility in your desk setup and can help reduce cable management issues. They’re particularly useful when paired with a laptop or tablet, allowing you to create a more ergonomic typing position that can help prevent strain during long work sessions. Ergonomic designs with split layouts or adjustable tenting can provide additional comfort for those who type extensively. For a quieter work environment, look for keyboards with low-profile keys or built-in sound dampening.

Be responsive

When you’re part of a remote team, that team relies on online communication tools to relay important messages. Responding to messages or adding a thumbs-up or a checkmark emoji will show the team that you’re paying attention. To help you remember important messages, save them in a place you can easily reference. 

Define your workspace

It’s beneficial to have a designated workspace that’s not in one of your living areas, such as your bedroom or living room. Susan Hallbeck, director of healthcare-system engineering at the Mayo Clinic, says that your back, hips, and neck are more strained when you’re on a soft surface like a couch or a bed. From headaches to arthritis to neck pain, if you’re on a soft surface, “you’re really not supported in a way that’s conducive to work,” Susan says. What’s recommended is having a comfortable chair with proper back support and keeping your screen at eye level.

Create a morning routine

Often, remote employees wake up, grab a cup of coffee and a snack, then go straight to opening their laptops to work. But from that point on, the whole day can feel like rushing from one thing to the next. Instead of being in a go-go-go state as soon as you wake up, consider creating a morning routine to set the tone for a healthy and productive day. For instance, create a short routine, like drinking green juice, doing five minutes of tai-chi, and reading a chapter in your current book. Or, try a long routine, like eating breakfast and following it up with an hour’s walk (no technology allowed).

Create a daily routine

A daily routine is just as important as your morning routine. As we touched on before, find what works for you by trying a few different schedules. Maybe that means working in the early morning, afternoon, or evening. Or perhaps that means working four days a week and relaxing or adventuring three days a week. Aim to have a plan for your mornings, afternoons, and evenings. For instance, follow your morning routine early, follow your work schedule in the afternoon, and catch up with loved ones in the evenings. 

Take regular breaks

Working from home generally results in less walking and moving around, which can negatively affect your long-term health. To prevent this, try setting scheduled alarms every 45 minutes to remind you to get up, stretch, and walk around for a few minutes. If possible, move away from your workstation during breaks to help you refresh before returning to work. Alternatively, you can try the Pomodoro Technique. In short, this method structures a five-minute break every 25 minutes. It’s been touted with such benefits as reducing mental exhaustion and improving concentration. Even a five or 10-minute break can be refreshing, so try not to steamroll through the day without pausing.