Running a food and travel blog involves far more time behind a desk than you might expect. Between writing articles, editing photos, responding to emails, planning trips and managing collaborations, I spend a considerable amount of time working at my laptop.
With so much of my working day spent sitting down, I’ve become increasingly aware of how important it is to have a comfortable, practical workspace. Unfortunately, my previous desk setup wasn’t quite up to the job.
From standing at the hob to sitting at the screen
Recipe development involves a surprising amount of switching between being on your feet and sitting down. I might spend the morning in the kitchen, weighing ingredients, cooking and photographing dishes, before settling down at my laptop for several hours to edit photos and write everything up.
Spending so long sitting in an uncomfortable position can soon take its toll. By the afternoon, I’d often find myself slouching, with stiff shoulders and an aching back.
One of the most worthwhile improvements you can make is investing in a supportive chair. If you regularly spend hours editing photos or writing, ergonomic office chairs are worth considering. Features like adjustable seat height, lumbar support and armrests can help you to maintain a more comfortable sitting position throughout the day.
What to look for in an office chair
If you’re thinking about upgrading your chair, there are a few features worth prioritising:
- Adjustable seat height: Ideally, your feet should rest comfortably on the floor, with your knees roughly at a right angle.
- Lumbar support: Good lower-back support can help you to maintain a comfortable posture while sitting.
- Adjustable armrests: These should allow your arms to rest naturally, without raising your shoulders.
- Breathable materials: A mesh back can be particularly useful if your workspace tends to get warm.
- Seat depth adjustment: This helps to ensure your thighs are supported, without the front of the seat pressing against the backs of your knees.
You don’t necessarily need to spend a fortune, either. It’s worth comparing different models and, if possible, trying a chair before buying it.
Getting your desk setup right
Of course, a comfortable chair is only part of the equation. Your desk, screen and lighting can all affect how you feel after a long working day.
Ideally, your monitor should be around an arm’s length away, with the top of the screen at or slightly below eye level. This is particularly important when you’re editing photographs or working on detailed content for several hours.
Natural light is helpful too, although it’s best to position your screen so you’re not dealing with glare or reflections throughout the day.
Keeping your keyboard and mouse within easy reach can also help to prevent unnecessary strain on your shoulders and wrists. If you work primarily from a laptop, as I do, a laptop stand and separate keyboard and mouse are relatively simple upgrades that can make your setup much more comfortable.
Creating comfortable learning environments
The importance of a well-designed workspace isn’t limited to people working from home. It’s something I’ve become more aware of through my involvement in talks and activities, encouraging young people to explore entrepreneurship and creative careers.
Schools and colleges also need spaces that can accommodate different activities, whether that’s independent study, practical lessons or collaborative projects.
Modern school furniture often includes lightweight, movable tables, stackable chairs and adaptable seating arrangements, making it easier to reconfigure classrooms for different purposes.
While the needs of a classroom are different from those of a home office, the underlying principle is similar: a comfortable, practical environment can make it easier to concentrate and get on with the task at hand.
Small habits that make a difference
Even the best workspace won’t make much difference if you spend the entire day sitting in the same position. I’ve found that building a few simple habits into my working routine can help:
- Taking regular breaks: Getting up to stretch my legs, make a cup of tea or step outside for a few minutes.
- Keeping water nearby: Having a bottle on my desk reminds me to stay hydrated, especially when I’m busy.
- Moving throughout the day: Gentle stretches for my neck, shoulders and wrists help break up long editing sessions.
- Keeping my workspace tidy: Clearing away unnecessary clutter makes it easier to concentrate and start the following day with a clean desk.
While these habits don’t call for a great deal of effort, together, they can make a noticeable difference to how comfortable I feel while working.
Looking after yourself when you’re self-employed
One of the challenges of self-employment is that you’re responsible for almost everything, including your own working environment.
There’s no office manager to arrange a replacement chair or make sure your desk is properly set up. And when you’re juggling deadlines, client emails and content creation, it’s easy to overlook your own comfort.
However, investing in a practical workspace doesn’t necessarily mean buying expensive equipment or completely redesigning your home office. Sometimes, a supportive chair, a properly positioned screen and a few changes to your daily routine are enough to make working from home more enjoyable.
Finding a better balance
Working as a food and travel blogger has given me some wonderful opportunities, but a considerable amount of work happens behind the scenes. For every restaurant visit, press trip or recipe shoot, there are hours of writing, editing and administration to tackle afterwards.
Creating a comfortable workspace is one way to make those less glamorous parts of the job more manageable.
Whether you’re a blogger, freelancer or running another kind of small business, it’s worth taking the time to assess your working environment. After all, the more comfortable and organised you feel at your desk, the easier it is to focus on the work that matters.
Do you work from home? I’d love to hear how you’ve made your workspace more comfortable and productive. Share your favourite tips in the comments below!