Summer is officially here, and with that warmer weather can come a healthy dose of cabin fever for those stuck working inside during beautiful sunny days. If you work from home and have an outdoor space, moving your office outdoors can do wonders for your mood, productivity, and even your energy levels.
If you don’t have a giant backyard, don’t fret. An outdoor office can be made using a deck, patio, balcony, or even a sturdy fire escape. All you really need is an outdoor area that can provide access to fresh air, a change of scenery, and a break from spending time in the same tight spaces with your kids, spouse, or roommates. The trick to a successful outdoor office is optimizing it for your tech and whatever surprises mother nature has in store for you.
The best spaces get sunlight but don’t leave you trapped in the sun for too long. Not only can prolonged sunlight cause uncomfortable burns, but sunbeams can create screen glare, making it difficult to get any work done and increasing the strain on your eyes.
Prolonged exposure to the sun can also cause your laptop to overheat, which slows your computer down, or in a worst-case scenario, actually damage the device. A good rule of thumb is that if it’s too hot for you outside, it’s too hot for your devices too.
There are two main ways you can combat sunlight and temperature:
At this point, most of us (especially those of us over 30) understand the importance of proper ergonomics in our workspaces. If you’re going to spend time working outside in the summer, make sure to invest in that space as well. Weather-resistant patio furniture, lumbar support pillows, laptop stands, and a wireless keyboard and mouse will all go a long way toward making sure you stay comfortable when working in your outdoor space.
The number one essential for an effective outdoor workspace is a strong WiFi signal. Check your internet connection speed from your space. If it’s not fast enough to allow you to participate in video calls with good image quality, consider investing in a router extender to enhance your WiFi coverage.
It’s also important to make sure your devices don’t run out of battery at inopportune moments. If you’re not near an outdoor power outlet, a powerful portable battery pack is a wise investment.
Every outdoor space is inevitably shared with a variety of animals–mosquitoes, birds, and squirrels just to name a few. Luckily, you can easily negate any adverse interactions with wildlife by keeping a few basic tools handy.
Working from home does not make you immune to burnout. Changing up your surroundings, and enjoying the outdoors can go a long way toward staying productive, protecting your mental health, and making the most of your hybrid work schedule.
From huddle rooms to boardrooms and everything in between, we’ve got you covered with solutions that take teamwork to the next level.
Shop Solutions