With a most of us working remotely at the moment, the whole concept of “WFH” is firmly a part of the Singaporean lexicon and a big part of our everyday lives. And with the current situation, we can safely say that it will continue to be practised in the future.
So if you haven’t already, now might be a good time for you to start remodelling your home office space. Why? Well, creating a more conducive environment for yourself might benefit your productivity.
Here are 10 great products – from ergonomic furniture to white noise machines – that will help relieve some aches, make your work hours more pleasant, and aid you to complete more tasks in less time so that you don’t have to work overtime when your bed is in the next room.
Not all tables are created equal. The key feature of this local design is the ability to adjust the height between 60cm and 125cm from the floor. This gives you the versatility to use it as a regular desk while sitting or convert it into a standing desk.
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Poor sitting postures can cause aches and problems to your neck, shoulders and lower back. This German engineered ergonomic design supports healthy and proper posture through features such as spinal and lumbar support so you won’t feel fatigued even after being seated for long hours. Mesh is also used to construct the seat and backrest to prevent heat-trapping by allowing airflow. Tailor-made for any body type or structure, the headrest, armrest, seat and chair height are all adjustable and there’s also a comfortable reclining backrest <135-degree. Our favourite part? A 60-day trial that gives you a risk-free purchase with a full refund if you find it unsuitable. And if you choose to keep it, there’s a 15-year warranty. Ergomeister must be really confident with this chair.
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Advocates for standing while working swear by its ability to help combat the negative effects of being sedentary and seated all day long. Standing for prolonged periods, however, comes with a price tag of strains on your joints and lower back. A plushy standing mat like this will help alleviate pressure by adding cushioning. This mat also boasts anti-slip properties and a bevelled edge to prevent tripping.
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A common gripe from laptop users? Insufficient USB ports. This Anker docking station comes built with a comprehensive set of features, ranging from USB-A and USB-C ports, SD and microSD card readers (perfect for photographers and videographers), 4K DisplayPort and Gigabit Ethernet Port, to solve all your woes. It supports the simultaneous charging of your laptop and mobile devices too.
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If your work environment is plagued with chatty family members or construction sounds, use these noise-cancelling headphones to block them out. These headphones would also send a clear signal that you do not want to be disturbed.
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Mouse pad is often an overlooked tech essential until we face problems with our mouse’s tracking responsiveness. Created by homegrown gaming company Razer, this mouse pad employs a textured micro-weave cloth to ensure sensitivity and precision. It also has a high-density rubber foam base to provide cushioning and anti-slip.
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Carpal tunnel syndrome is a painful and debilitating condition that can occur due to repetitive wrist movements (read: using your computer or phone for prolonged periods). To relieve the tension in the nerves along your wrists, get a wrist guard to reduce the strain on your wrists when you type on the keyboard and use the mouse.
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Research by the University of Oxford has found that a moderate level (70 dB) of ambient noise aids with creative thinking, while another by Massachusetts Institute of Technology has found that white noise helps with learning and memory.
White noise does this by drowning out distracting noises with soothing sounds that supposedly improves concentration. A white noise machine, such as this LecrtoFan model, can help generate soothing white noise to make your work (or sleep) more effective. This model offers 20 unique sounds and adjustable volume control.
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We like our hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold. This sleek vacuum-insulated tumbler checks both boxes and is built with a splash-resistant lid. We’ve tried it, and are amazed by how it kept our ice from melting. With the wide mouth opening, you could even fit your reusable straw and drink from it.
Pomodoro Tracker is a free-to-use website that helps you manage your schedule into bite-sized timeslots. It emulates the Pomodoro technique created by Francesco Cirillo where each task is allocated 25 minutes to complete, followed by a five-minute break before you embark on the next task.
This could be particularly useful for those who have many tasks on hand but find it difficult to multi-task, or procrastinators looking to use their time more effectively.
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Text: Ho Guo Xiong/HerWorld