As remote work becomes increasingly common, the lines between work and personal life can blur, making it more challenging to prioritize self-care and maintain a healthy work-life balance. To help you stay balanced and focused while working from home, we asked experts to recommend their favorite wellness-boosting products. From ergonomic chairs and standing desks to noise-cancelling headphones and meditation apps, these items are designed to help you reduce stress and improve productivity while working remotely. Here are the top recommendations from our panel of experts.

Moses Aremu

Title: Marketing Manager

Company: LonelyAxe

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/moses-aremu-927129210

My father, an entrepreneur and businessman to the core inspired me to become an entrepreneur. However, as a remote worker juggling freelancing and full-time PR outreach work, I experienced burnout over time, like other entrepreneurs, because I failed to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Learning from my mistakes, the tips I’ve used to have wellness at home despite having a ton of work include:

1. Prioritizing my health and learning to say no; Learning to set boundaries and say no was one of the most challenging skills I had to learn. However, it helped me maintain my physical health, emotional well-being, and mental fitness once I put it into practice.

2. Taking breaks; One of the biggest mistakes I’ve seen fellow work-at-home entrepreneurs make, and one I’ve made myself, is pushing too hard and never taking breaks, which leads to a drastic drop in productivity. Taking breaks, even if they were only a minute long, helped make my work more enjoyable and improved my concentration.

3. Investing in relationships with loved ones; My financial mentor Mel Abraham said, “Wealth is more than the amount of money you make, but about who you become on your financial freedom journey.” Using this statement as a rule in my life taught me how important it is to devote time to nurture relationships with loved ones to re-energize and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

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Duncan Malcolm

Title: Founder

Company: Live Skippers

Linkedin: https://www.facebook.com/liveskippers

Don’t think that working from home is your only option when it comes to working remotely. So many employees actually work better in an office type setting, and it’s tough to achieve that if you are working from home. My remote working tip isn’t necessarily an item, but is instead having the ability to look around you at what available options there are for you to work at. There are so many great places for you to choose from such as a shared office building, a coffee shop with good wifi and even a cozy restaurant.

Not everyone is productive at home, and it makes it even tougher if you don’t have space for your own home office. Finding a space that works for you is essential when it comes to thriving in a remote office environment. It also gives you more freedom, depending on the type of work you do. You can travel more if you aren’t required to stay close to the office base. This means possibly working from a resort or some other location. This can help greatly with things like work-life balance because you are able to work from anywhere without it having to impede greatly on your lifestyle.

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Rahul Jha

Title: Managing Director

Company: Legal Entity Identifier

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rahuljha-india/

By using a project management platform, remote businesses can help them work remotely and stay as organized, productive, and effective as they need.

At our company, we’ve been really impressed with how the right project management platform can help us operate as a remote team. From time tracking and project timelines to file management and team communication, it offers up everything we need on a daily basis, which allows us to keep everything in one place.

It also relieves anxiety and stress for remote teams. By having everyone in one place and using a very effective platform for your company, you can keep everything as straightforward as possible, which is really what remote teams are looking for.

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Lachlan Brown

Title: Founder

Company: Hack Spirit

Linkedin: https://twitter.com/lachybe?s=20&t=Ig2Ia80UJpRByKw-NRCdJw

Here are some items that I’ve found to be incredibly useful:
1. Adjustable Height Standing Desk — this allows me to work standing up so I don’t spend all day sitting.
2. Ergonomic mouse — this prevents muscle strain and discomfort that can come from repeated clicks on the mouse. My hand rests naturally on the mouse and I don’t have to worry so much about carpal tunnel.
3. Memory foam seat — this helps prevent lower back pain and gives me some extra cushioning when I have to work sitting down.
4. Under desk elliptical — I also have this to keep my legs and feet moving while I work
5. Essential oil diffuser — this is perfect for improving my alertness and focus and for boosting my mood.

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Mitch Fraser

Title: Manager

Company: Flashdrive

Linkedin: https://au.linkedin.com/in/mitchell-fraser-7770b8112

My tip to thrive in a remote work world is to find the right tools that can assist you in excelling. New platforms are available to all of us and can become a major asset for remote workers.

Consider things like project management platforms, communication apps, and more as you look to utilize new technology to make you the most effective remote worker possible. These platforms have specifically been designed to assist you in your work, so make sure you use them to the best of your capability.

These platforms can help you be more effective, productive, and even make things easier for you, which can have a positive impression on your work-life balance. We can all use that these days, right?

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Ilakkiya Maheswaran

Title: Loan officer + Blogger

Company: Infrastructure Ontario + Wander Is Calling (Blog)

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilakkiya-maheswaran-she-her-22ab4826/

I have a huge array of tips but I’ll include my top 5 tips for working at home.
1. Start your morning a little early. Wake up, do some stretches, make breakfast or coffee/tea and just relax for a bit, prior to doubling down at work. Having slow mornings help you feel relaxed as you move through the work day.
2. Take breaks through the day (every hour), look away from the screen, stretch your back, neck shoulders, walk around your home and even step outside, if possible. I take breaks to avoid burnout and exhaustion (been there, done that).
3. Get outside for a walk at least once a day. Even if its cold outside — I’ll bundle up and take my dog for a walk. Getting fresh air really helps me feel grounded and it requires being outside. Working at home, doesn’t mean you have to be cooped up indoors and glued to your desk.
4. Participate and encourage online or in person socials. It can get lonely at home. Plus, getting to know your co-workers outside of work is a wonderful way to feel like a team.
5. Whether you have a side hustle that requires more work or you really enjoy your full-time job — be mindful of how much time you dedicate to work. For instance apart from my full-time career, I blog on the side about travel and wellness — so, I make it a priority to give myself a full-weekend or at least a Saturday away, from any and all work. I also make sure I give myself self-care days, where I color, read, spend time with nature and really focus on what I need — through the week. Listen to your body and you’ll feel much better mentally and physically.

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Daniel Climans

Title: Senior Manager, Digital Marketing & Partnerships

Company: StickerYou

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-climans/?originalSubdomain=ca

I recommend anyone who works from home to invest in a foot rest to use while you work at a desk. A foot rest helps me greatly when I am trying to be more gentle on my body when I sit in front of a computer all day long. Although many people invest in items to help them with back support, your feet also need ergonomic tools in order to keep you comfortable.

A foot rest can actually help to decrease the chances of back strain and also helps to not put weight in one particular area of the body when you are seated. It also helps me so much with my posture which can be terrible at the end of a long day. These foot rests are a must if you work from home in front of a desk!

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Swati Sharma

Title: Founder/Media Strategist

Company: Swati Sharma Co.

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/swatisharmairl

Some wellness at-home essentials for remote work that I would recommend include an ergonomic desk and chair set-up, a laptop stand, and a laptop keyboard, such as the Apple magic keyboard. Being comfortable in your work space is key when you’re slogging 8–10 hour sessions over the computer most days. These small but significant improvements are essential to increasing my productivity and my ability to work on my laptop day in and day out, while taking care of my posture and lower-back health long-term.

I also absolutely need my blue-light-blocking glasses when I’m working remotely. I have several pairs of glasses, and they all must have blue-light lenses when I’m working on my laptop for several hours at a time. If you don’t wear glasses, I highly recommend getting a pair without a prescription, just for work. They allow me to work on my computer for at least 1/3 longer than I would be able to without them, tremendously reducing eye-strain overall.

I also really enjoy working in cafes and patios that receive lots of sun — so my ideal set up when I’m out includes a wireless mouse and mousepad, my laptop stand, keyboard, and probably most importantly — a pair of high quality noise canceling headphones. I personally love using an over ear pair such as the V-Modas, but I often use my Apple AirPods as well. Having a solid set of noise cancelling headphones allows me to zone into my work without disruptions while I’m in busy Mexico City cafes and restaurants, trying to stay focused amongst the chaos. I’m generally listening to some kind of ambient music while I work, which I notice also greatly reduces my stress levels while I’m working under a tight deadline.

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Sareeta Lopez

Title: Trauma-Informed Financial Coach

Company: Flight & Scarlet Media

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sareetalopez/

If you work from home, I highly recommend investing a comfortable office chair with lumbar support and a standing desk that has a monitor arm, so you can customize its height and distance from your eyes. I see these not just as investments for your business, but also in your health. These items have been key in helping me maintain my physical health at a job that requires me to work at a computer for hours at a time. Standing encourages and supports me moving around, even for breaks I’m more likely to walk around or stand to stretch. I also recommend a yoga mat, roller, lacrosse ball, and bands or weights and keeping a set of these in your office; again, it encourages me to tend to any tension in my body immediately. Taking breaks more frequently is also excellent for my mental health and productivity.

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Matthew Roberts

Title: Chief Operating Officer

Company: My Choice

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattjohnroberts/

“Intend to provide a space in the home where your office should be. Working anywhere in the house may be a comfort for some. However, dedicating an entire space solely to becoming your workstation will significantly boost your productivity. It also separates the idea of work and personal life in your home.

Also, provide objects solely intended for office use as much as possible. You can start by putting a sign on your door that you are currently working on. Have a separate desk space to do your tasks or a corner in the room where you place all your office stuff. Create a different PC user, email address, and phone number exclusively for work. In essence, to achieve a work-life balance, you need to separate objects that remind you of your work time and me time.”

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Caio Bersot

Title: Content Manager

Company: Rank-it.ca

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/69919482/

In terms of items, I would include both items directly related to work as well as items that help you concentrate, reduce stress, and exercise.

For work, if you sit for long hours, I’d recommend considering a footrest, a standing desk, a good office chair, and more than one screen or a laptop stand. These can be pricey items, but they will pay off in the long run. They will save you money and energy, and protect your health.

For reducing stress and increasing wellness, an elastic band is a nice purchase, as it helps you exercise without being too hard on your joints.

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Sarah Kay

Title: Digital marketer

Company: Sincerely Essie

Linkedin: N/A

Productivity journal — to plan out the day as well as schedule the week ahead whilst tracking habits, sleep schedule and mood.

Essential oil diffuser — to promote focus & concentration (think a fusion of peppermint, lemon and rosemary).

Dumbbells & cross trainer — for a spot of cardio and HIIT to maintain physical.hwakth and a burst of endorphins.

Blue light glasses — to prevent eye strain when working on the computer for longer periods of time.

Dehumidifier — for circulation of air and to keep a comfortable working environment.

Bright light therapy lamp — for promotion of good day/night cycle which supports wakefulness during the day and improve sleep at night for increase in productivity.

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Rosmy Barrios

Title: MD & Medical Advisor

Company: Health Reporter

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosmy-barrios-677b5b13b/

The first thing I recommend is that you work in natural light instead of fluorescent or LED lights. Exposure to natural light keeps you calm and relaxed while working. Whenever I work, I ensure there’s ample natural light coming into my room, which works wonders in boosting my productivity. If you have a habit of working in artificial light, consider switching to natural light and you’ll be relaxed while working without an element of stress or anxiety. It’s free and you don’t need to buy something to achieve it.

Keep a yoga mat or exercise cycle in your room. Most people feel stressed while working because long-work hours don’t give them the opportunity to get their bodies moving. Studies show that anxiety and depression are higher in people who spend long hours sitting. I recommend keeping a yoga mat or exercise cycle in your room so that you can take breaks in between to stretch your body and eliminate the risk that comes with sitting. I keep a yoga mat near my chair and whenever I take a break, I stretch a bit, which instantly refreshes and relaxes me.

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Gillian Gadsby

Title: Managing Partner

Company: Gadsby Wicks

Linkedin: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/gillian-gadsby-83852725

When working remotely, my biggest tip is to just slow down when you can. Things seem to happen so quickly these days and remote workers seem to never stop. Your mind is working on 10 projects at once, you very rarely take a break, and your routine is much different then it might be while working in office. Remote can be very challenging.

If you can learn to slow down when needed while working remote, you can see things in perspective. You’ll get a chance to understand things better and won’t react with emotion. Think logically, take your time, and understand your limits as you shift to this new method of work.

The online world works quickly, and that can be a huge benefit to you. But the human mind continues to work at our regular speed, so don’t try and push it to work faster and on more projects at once. That’s unfair to you and it will lead to negative thinks. Slow down, work smart, and be strategic.

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Arif Mughal

Title: Retail Manager

Company: Luxe Watches

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/luxe-watches/about/

When I work from home I need to have music on in order to be able to concentrate. Hearing all the sounds around me can be really distracting, especially if there are other people home at the same time as me. Noise canceling headphones make it easier for me to concentrate on my music and work, and keeps the distractions around me to a minimum.

I also like to use these headphones when I partake in video calls because it blocks all noise around me and it feels like it’s only me and whoever I am talking to in the room. Again, this is also great when other people are around as you can’t hear them, and they can’t hear the person on the other side of the call.

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Sarah Watson

Title: Chief Operating Officer

Company: BPTLAB

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bestpersonalitytests/

An ergonomic mouse is essential for anyone working from home. It helps to keep your wrist in the correct position and reduce strain, as well as helping you maneuver more quickly around your computer screen.

Another important item is a comfortable chair that provides back support and encourages good posture while you’re seated at your desk. Investing in an adjustable office chair can help optimize how you work and make it easier to maintain a healthy posture while completing tasks.

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Emma Williams

Title: Chief Research Officer

Company: HIGH5

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/high5test/

Having some indoor plants can be an excellent way to make your home office feel more comfortable and inviting. Not only do they look great, but studies suggest that having plants in the home can help improve air quality, reduce stress levels, and promote better mental health. Investing in an ergonomic chair and a standing desk are also excellent ways to make sure you stay comfortable while working from home.

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Alyssa Frayling

Title: Owner/ Author

Company: Famously Frayling

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssa-frayling-5228821bb

I could easily sit at my computer and work all day and not stop! Once I get going, I struggle to stop. This may sound like a good thing but it is not because at the end of the day, I am exhausted and I just want to go to bed. This would not be as big of a problem if I was single and lived alone, but I am not. I have a husband and family to worry about which means that I must also focus on my mental health and wellness too.

I have these things called ‘brain breaks’ that I take when working remotely. I find that I can get stuck in the moment and burn myself out easier. Therefore, I implemented a system called ‘brain breaks’. I set a timer on my phone and then I take a 5–10 minute break when it goes off. I may set my timer anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the task that I am completing that day.

After 5 brain breaks, I give my self a longer break of 30 minutes. This allows me to stay sharp by allowing my brain to focus for a set amount of time. At the end of the day, I always put my work away and make sure to spend the evenings with my family.

It is important to make time for yourself and for your family which will help your mental health and wellness in the long run. If I know that I am going to stuggle to get ‘me’ time in, I tend to incorporate it into my day. I may work remotely on my laptop while having a facemask on or painting my nails during my 5 minute brain breaks.

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Tom McSherry

Title: Founder & Real Estate Expert

Company: Sections For Sale NZ

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-mcsherry/

I highly recommend viewing remote work as an opportunity to invest in your home office and the development of personal wellness habits.

Two items that have been essential to my success working remotely are a standing desk and a daily workout routine.

By incorporating these changes, I discovered major improvements in both my productivity rate and energy levels. With the help of the standing desk, I found myself more engaged in my tasks and with improved posture.

Additionally, sticking with a daily fitness routine has provided me with additional energy that I can apply to everyday assignments.

Overall, these two wellness-at-home items have been beneficial to my personal well-being and overall productivity when working from home.

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Tom McSherry

Title: CEO and Founder

Company: Premium SEO NZ

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-mcsherry/

Natural light is key for productivity and health, so having a desk set up near a window is ideal. If that’s not possible, make sure to invest in bright lamps that you can adjust depending on how much light you need when working on different tasks. Additionally, a desk with plenty of space will prevent clutter from building up, making it easier to access what you need without distractions or soreness from hunching over a tiny surface area. Investing in an adjustable standing desk can also give you the option of sitting or standing while working.

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Sheena Marundan

Title: Writer & Editor

Company: Archic Furniture

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheena-marundan-32bb29263

Wellness can often be a difficult position to achieve when we are constantly on the go. But with the right wellness-at-home items, it has now become easier to achieve much-needed balance. I recommend a humidifier to help balance the levels of moisture in the air, a neat desk setup with a comfortable chair and having a few plants around the home. These items have helped me create a more peaceful atmosphere and enjoy some downtime at home.

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Serbay Arda Ayzit

Title: Digital Marketing Expert

Company: Serbay

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/serbayardaayzit/

A good pair of wireless earbuds or a Bluetooth speaker can create an atmosphere that’s more conducive to concentration. A laptop riser can help to improve your posture, and an adjustable chair will ensure that you don’t experience any physical discomfort during long work sessions. Having a dedicated workspace can also help to boost productivity levels — try adding a few decorative items like plants or artwork to make it more inviting.

To keep yourself energized throughout the day, I recommend keeping healthy snacks nearby and setting up a mini-home gym with basic equipment like resistance bands and free weights. A few minutes of stretching or some light exercise can provide a much-needed pick-me-up if you’re feeling unmotivated or stuck on a task.

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Logan Nguyen

Title: Co-founder

Company: MIDSS

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/logan-nguyen-93a65b1b8/

Remain organized.
Develop good organizational routines. The transition to a hybrid work model can be jarring, and many people, especially those who work from home, find that they become disorganized as a result of the process.
However, disorganization is a breeding ground for anxiety and creates friction in the workflow. Creating a space that is more organized can be accomplished in a variety of ways including the following:

Make sure to save your work to a cloud drive so that you can easily transfer it between your home computer and the one at the office. You are able to access the documents from any location, including while you are traveling. It is not difficult to get something started at home and finish it in the office, or the other way around. In addition to that, it serves as a backup for your work.

Reduce the amount of complexity in your home office. The presence of a large number of books, documents, and user manuals can make things more disorganized. If there is something in your home office that you haven’t used in a while, you should remove it.

Make an investment in the tools that will help you stay organized and increase your productivity. For instance, I have invested in tools that have helped me improve audio quality and video as well as allow me to work more quickly. If you get time to get all of the necessary tools organized, the space you work in will become one that you look forward to entering rather than one that fills you with dread.