Home office in a hammock and garden: this is how working outside works

Flat hierarchies, flextime or coworking spaces - the wolrd of work is changing. And the home office is also here to stay. At least where it makes sense. Because the advantages are obvious: people who have to travel long distances to the office in particular benefit from more time and fewer traffic jams. Family and work are easier to reconcile. And some appreciate the peace and quiet at home in contrast to the hustle and bustle in the open-plan office. Especially in the warm season at home, the balcony, terrace and garden also lure you to work outside. Your benefit: spatially speaking, they separate us from domestic scenarios such as a full dishwasher or a high pile of laundry, which can create stress and negatively affect concentration. In addition, there is a feeling of vacation outside in the home office. However, the question is: Are the garden, balcony and hammock good for a home office and what should you look out for if you want to move the office outside at least for an hour or so? We have the answers.

Home office outside: tips for working in the open air

First of all: Whether you can and may move certain activities or even an entire working day outside always depends on the job and the consent of your employer. If there is nothing fundamentally wrong with spending a few hours on the balcony, terrace, etc., our tips will help you:

Find the right spot: As nice as it is outside in the fresh air, there are still a few pitfalls. One of them can be the sun - and suddenly the screen work becomes a tedious affair or the laptop overheats. Even though there are now displays that are specially designed for working outdoors, it is better to find a workplace in the shade. And with as little street noise or other distractions from neighbors or passers-by as possible. A privacy screen can sometimes be useful here so that you can get to work undisturbed. Also pay attention to the equipment in your home office outside: some tables or armchairs get hot quickly and are therefore not very suitable. If you plan to work in the garden for a long time, you generally have to pay attention to ergonomics. In addition, your home office should be calm outside so that you neither catch a cold nor the wind constantly plays with your documents. By the way: If you have a covered terrace or a covered balcony, you can work outside even when it rains. The pounding of the drops above you may inspire your thoughts.

Provide the necessary electricity: The necessary power supply is part of the perfect workplace. If you don't have an outlet within reach, run an extension cord outside. But be careful: Nobody should trip over it! You also need a good WiFi signal. Sometimes you may need an amplifier.

Make sure you have enough sun protection: Even if you are not sitting in direct sunlight, you should make sure that you have the necessary sun protection in your home office. Not only the face gets a lot of UV radiation, but also the neck or shoulders. So cream yourself well.

Drink enough: The basic equipment of the home office in the garden includes a beverage bottle so that you can provide your body with enough liquid. Bottles that can seal themselves have priority. That way insects don't stand a chance and you don't spill anything. Another option is a large, solid glass carafe. It constantly reminds you to drink.

Give yourself breaks: Even if the new environment tempts you to work straight through for a few hours, breaks are essential. This is the only way that what has been learned can be consolidated in the brain and there is room to spin new ideas.

Home office in the hammock

And what about home office in the beloved hammock? Our answer is: Yes, this is also possible! At least for a handful of activities. For example, the hammock is suitable as a workplace if you ...

  … listen to an online seminar

  … hold an idea generation meeting with colleagues

 … do brainstorming

… have a short paperwork to do

… make a phone call

If you have other tasks to fulfill, you can visit the hammock at least during the breaks. A brisk recovery period can even boost your learning process or fuel your creativity. There's only one thing you can't do without when working in your home office in the garden: setting the alarm clock in the morning before you get out of bed. But it's much easier to get up with the prospect of a few hours in the fresh air, isn't it? Try it!