<aside> <img src="/icons/info-alternate_yellow.svg" alt="/icons/info-alternate_yellow.svg" width="40px" /> This page is part of The Toolbox by Danny Smith.

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The right physical environment can help us become happier and more productive. The wrong one can have the opposite effect.

<aside> ➡️ Exercise: Reflect on the differences between your physical environment in the office, and your physical environment when working at home. Write two lists:

1. Things which are better at work.
2. Things which are better at home.

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Perhaps the single biggest change for most new remote workers is to their physical work environment, and most people don't give nearly enough thought to it. Physical Environment includes:

• The building and room you work in and what you look at.
• Where you sit to work, and the equipment you have.
• Environmental factors like temperature and background noise.

We need to be intentional about designing a work environment that suits us best.

Taking advantage of being at home

Working from home comes with some fairly obvious physical advantages and it's worth making the most of them. These might include:

• No commute - commuting by car or public transport can be physically draining.
• Your own environment - You can work in an environment that you've designed. For example: if you enjoy being around plants, you have the freedom to surround yourself with them 🌿
• Time with family - Physical proximity to your family, pets and friends means you can spend more time with them.
• Better food - If you have a kitchen, it's much easier to plan and prepare meals during the day. And you can eat when you want.