ARTICLE
December 10, 2021 – 2 min read
The best thing about working from home is that there’s nothing tying you to an office anymore. Sure, most people need a computer and Wi-Fi, but those can be anywhere you’re comfortable and able to focus. So why not take it outside while the weather is nice? Here’s how to set up a home office outside!
There are lots of things that can boost your mood, including eating well, exercising and spending more time outdoors. Harvard research has shown that mood disorders can be lifted just by spending more time outside. It’s no wonder that outdoor rooms have become more popular in recent years.
With a post-pandemic shift to more flexible working, it’s only natural that we’re going to want to spend more time working outside, too. Even if it’s just for a reviving hour or two a day.
Setting up a home office outside isn’t just a matter of taking all your office stuff outside – there are a few things to consider.
The first thing is shelter: working outside is only good for your health if you’re not burnt to a crisp by the sun or rained out. Something like a covered deck, a mini-marquee or a particularly large and hardy beach/cafe umbrella is a must.
Secondly, depending on how long you plan to be outside, you might need access to power points. “Some PCs have up to 15 hours of battery life, but if you know you’ll be outdoors for an extended period of time, it’s worth having close access to power points so you can stay charged and connected.” says Jason Tavoletti, Buyer – Computers at The Good Guys.
You’ll also need Wi-Fi, which should be fine if you’re relatively close to your house and have a good quality router. But, if you’re working in the park or in a large garden, you might want to look into whether mobile broadband from Telstra is right for you.
Finally, the sun doesn’t always play nice, so you might need to look into getting low-reflection screen covers for your phone and laptop.
“Some PCs have up to 15 hours of battery life, but if you know you’ll be outdoors for an extended period of time, it’s worth having close access to power points so you can stay charged and connected.”
The beautiful thing about the working from home revolution is that you’re no longer confined to a cubicle because some HR boffin thinks that’s how you should work, so make your outdoor workspace work for you! What matters most here is that you’re comfortable, healthy and inspired. So, why not deck out your area with a mini fridge, so you don’t need to keep going back and forth to the kitchen for snacks? You could also add a portable sit-stand workstation, so you can work inside when you want and outside when you can.
The only problem is that, like the office, you can’t control all the noise outside. So, if your neighbour’s kids like to play loudly outdoors and the sound of children laughing isn’t the vibe you’re going for during quarterly report season, block out the world with some good noise cancelling headphones, such as the Sony Premium Noise Cancelling Headphones XM4s.
Nature is like a child, in that you can’t always predict what’s going to happen, and sometimes things get wet. So, if you’re going to work outside, it’s important to be ready for anything . “A lightweight laptop, like the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex or Apple MacBook Air ranges are perfect for when you are on the go,” says Jason Tavoletti.
However you want to set up your working oasis, we have everything you need at The Good Guys. Come in-store or go online for great advice, all the options and amazing deals.
