While millions of Americans have already returned to their workplaces following the slow and gradual return to normal from COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, there are millions of Americans who will remain working from the comfort of their homes.
A survey conducted by Upwork from Oct. 21 to Nov. 7, 2020 of 1,000 small business owners, HR managers and CEOs across a wide range of industries in the US showed that 41.8% of Americans are still working remotely. The same survey respondents also estimate that 26.7% of the workforce will be working from home by the end of 2021, suggesting a slow return to the workplace for most Americans.
If you’re reaping the benefits of working from a home office right now, you can reap even more benefits and make working remotely even more convenient by installing a smart home security system to assist you in creating a conducive working environment.
Most burglaries occur between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. because that is prime time for when homes are usually unoccupied due to occupants being at work or in school. But if you’re busy working at home, a burglar might not realize you’re at home and this could put you in danger, especially if your job makes you less aware of potential dangers around you.
This is where a smart home security system is essential, as it serves as your eyes and ears for potential intruders and burglars while you’re inundated with work at home. A security system that has smart cameras equipped with motion detection can alert you to burglars entering your property while you’re on the job, either by triggering an outdoor or indoor siren or sending a notification on your smartphone, or even both.
If you’re burning the midnight oil while working remotely, a smart camera that has low-light shooting capabilities and 24/7 video recording can make your working environment secure and attuned to potential security threats around the clock.
Burglars can be crafty and cunning and will attempt to avoid key places in the house that have security cameras to avoid detection. If a burglar manages to reach your front or back door, or pry open a window, your second line of defense are sensors installed in these entryways. Door and window sensors can sound an alarm or send a notification to your smartphone once a burglar opens them while you’re on your daily grind in your home office.
If the burglar manages to enter your home without setting off a door or window sensor, an indoor motion sensor can be another layer of protection. Install the device in key places such as hallways and stairwells, places that burglars normally would have to go through to get around the house.
Aside from ensuring the security of your home office, a smart home security system can also make your workstation cozy and conducive to productivity. A system that is equipped with a multi sensor can monitor changes in temperature and humidity during the day, allowing you to turn on fans or space heaters automatically when plugged into a smart home power switch. These smart devices work in tandem to ensure that your workplace is comfortable so you can be at your best at your job.
Productivity at home also depends on the type of lighting you have. In fact, color psychology states that some colors can reduce stress and boost productivity in the workplace.
For example, blue has always been associated not just with peace, tranquility, and stability but also with wisdom and intellect. One study has shown that blue enhances people’s ability to think creatively, which is good news for those working in creative industries. The same study also showed that red, which is associated with aggressiveness and passion, enhances people’s attention to detail. Other colors suitable for working include yellow, which promotes relaxation and reduces stress, and green, which reduces eye strain and allows for better reading ability.
To achieve a better mood amid the stress that your hustle and bustle can create, you need to add smart bulbs to your home office.
Because these lights can be controlled from your smartphone, you can automatically sync these lights to turn on during your work hours. You can also control the colors and brightness so that you can achieve the right balance of lighting that suits your mood. When you’re done working for the day, you can automatically turn these lights off without a flick of a switch. This gives you the added benefit of being able to manage your electrical consumption for your home office, allowing you to save money.
Every employee has a work playlist that gets them into action during the work day. Not only does playing music provide suitable background noise while you work, music has also been shown to manage anxiety and improve productivity and cognitive performance.
Working from home allows you to play these songs from your smart speakers instead of your earphones, thus motivating you even better to work through the day. You can connect your smart speakers to your smart home security system so that you can run automations for your speakers, such as automatically playing your work playlist once your work schedule starts and turning it off once it ends.
From a security aspect, you can run automations that automatically turn off your playlist if a door or window sensor in your home has been triggered by a potential intruder or burglar, so you can hear if there is somebody lurking inside your home.
Working from home doesn’t have to be as stressful as working in the office. With your smart home security system, you can create a safe, conducive, and enjoyable work environment that boosts your productivity and brings out the best work in you.
