11 Products That’ll Help You Be More Productive When Working From Home

Make It Pain-Free

“The ultimate status symbol at The Wing, a women’s social club and co-working space in New York, isn’t a pair of Gucci loafers or even an iPhone X,” writes Sierra Tishgart for New York Magazine. “It’s an ergonomic laptop stand.” What’s so great about it? This portable stand raises your laptop to eye level—a height that helps to relieve strain on your neck and alleviate back and shoulder pain—keeping you in good shape to get your work done.

Roost Laptop Stand, $75 USD, therooststand.com

Get Comfortable

Studies show poor posture, which can include jutting out the neck to get closer to the screen, “compresses the neck and can lead to fatigue, headaches, poor concentration, increased muscle tension and even injury to the vertebrae over time,” according to Science Daily. So, investing in a good work chair is important. This adjustable option offers lumbar support to help you sit straight and eliminate back aches. It also comes in a range of accent colours.

Corliving™ Swivel Office Chair, $192, bedbathandbeyond.ca

(Related: Learn which exercise can help you improve your posture.)

Improve the Air Quality

One of the main complaints in offices is (was) perceived dry air. According to Science Direct, dry air can “be confused with another common indoor air quality complaint ‘stuffy air,’ which mimics the sense of no fresh air and of nasal congestion and indoor pollutants.” If your home office feels “stuffy,” the fix could be to invest in Dyson’s new machine—a purifier, humidifier, and fan, all in one. It can not only help improve dry skin and nasal congestion, but also help get rid of pollutants including pet dander, dust allergens, and benzene from scented candles.

Dyson Pure Humidify+Cool, starting at $1000, dysoncanada.ca

Learn How to Prioritize Tasks

In Essentialism, author Greg McKeown explains the best tip for being more productive—prioritize the most essential tasks first. Learn about why you should focus on getting not more things done but the right things done and how to say no to dealing with issues that are less important.

Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less, $30, indigo.ca

(Also, check out the ways to train your brain for success.)

Utilize the Health Benefits of Plants

Adding greenery to your workspace can improve your performance. A Harvard study found those who worked in green-certified offices had a 26 percent boost in cognition compared to those who worked in non-green offices. Our plant pick? A snake plant, as it’s said to have the ability to remove harmful toxins and provide a defense against airborne allergies.

Editor Planter MD, $18, vdevmaison.com

Zone Out

Try Apple’s new AirPods Pro, which have a feature called “Active Noise Cancellation,” to eliminate any background noise and help you concentrate. Rooming with a loud talker? Use them to listen to music or a podcast, or just as earplugs, and completely drown out the chatter.

AirPods Pro, $329, apple.ca

(Speaking of listening to music, did you know tunes can help improve your workout performance?)

De-Clutter

A recent study shows the tidiness of a work environment can influence a worker’s performance. Use an organizer, like this lime mesh version, to help sort the papers covering your desk to declutter.

3-Tier Mesh Desk Organizer, $19, honeycando.com

(Also, you may want to keep these healthy snacks near by, so your concentration doesn’t falter when hunger pangs strike.)

Highlight Your Goals for Each Day

Use this weekly to-do pad to write down the three most important tasks you need to complete each day. How do you decide which tasks are the most important? Take cue from tech entrepreneur and Dragon’s Den investor Michele Romanow: “I prioritize things that only I can do (not tasks that I can delegate) and tasks that have the potential to really move the needle on my business,” she told us in 2018. “I start with the hardest task—once you’ve started with something hard, everything else feels easier.”

Need Supply Premium Stock Desktop Notepad, $18 USD, needsupply.com

Boost Your Brain

Citrine is a type of quartz that is said to attract prosperity and success, stimulate the brain, encourage creativity and enhance concentration. Add a citrine crystal to your workspace, or cover your desk with a bunch of them, for a woo-woo antidote to a lack of motivation.

Brazilian Citrine Clusters With Cut Base, $21, etsy.ca

(New to crystals? Here’s a beginner’s guide.)

Power Your Brain

Research shows when you haven’t consumed enough water, you have a harder time staying focused. Keeping a water filter on your desk acts as a reminder to stay hydrated while making it convenient to do so. (Here’s what else happens to your body when you get enough water.)

Soma 6-Cup Water Filter Pitcher, $50, amazon.ca

Make It Personal

If you need to remember something, write it down. Research shows you’re more likely to remember something over time when you’ve written it by hand instead of typing it on your laptop. Want to really make it stick? Write the note on a sticky and place it in clear view.

Sticky Note Set – Assorted, $10 USD, bando.com

Next, learn why one entrepreneur believes you shouldn’t aim to be perfect to succeed.