The Pros and Cons of an Outdoor Home Office

Spring is in the air, and so many of us are itching to spend more time outside – and that can be through a home office.

Many people who work remotely are fortunate enough to have the opportunity to take their home office outdoors! Before you jump the gun and pack your bags for the day, there are a few things to consider.

Things to Consider

There are many reasons why working outside is a great idea! But you need to think about where your outdoor home office will be, what you need to bring with you, how productive you can be in a particular area, and the weather, just to mention a few big ones. 

Of course, Wi-Fi connectivity, dressing for the elements, having a way to power up your electronics and transport all your supplies is also something to think about. 

Unfortunately, you may also need to think about any pandemic regulations that are different around the globe.

Pros: Fresh Air & Sunshine

Being outside isn’t just enjoyable; there are many health benefits to breathing fresh air and feeling the sunshine on your skin. 

Taking a short walk can help you think more clearly, so logically, working outdoors can help keep you alert and more engaged with your work. 

On the other hand, natural sunlight can reduce stress levels, release melatonin, and help strengthen your immune system. 

Studies even show that it can fight off depression and even make you live longer.

Cons: Battling the Elements

Fresh air can quickly turn into a cold wind, making sitting outside unbearable and blowing your paperwork all over the place. 

The sun is great as long as you remember to wear sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and do other things to protect yourself from sunburn.

If you are working with electronics, consider glare on your laptop and other factors that may make it harder for you to accomplish your tasks. 

If you are working in your backyard, it can be easy to create the perfect set up. You can even include a battery powered air conditioner to keep you cool on hot days.

However, if you plan to go elsewhere, you may want to scope out the spot before you go there for the day. 

If your job doesn’t allow for flexibility, it can take a lot of planning to get your day working outdoors just right.

Pros: Social Interactions

Working at home can get lonely, especially if you are used to friendly office banter with your colleagues. 

An office away from home can expose you to other people. 

In fact, studies show that having friends at work can make you more productive. 

This means that interacting with some people while you work can help you perform better. 

Co-working spaces have many benefits, including a boost in creativity. Plus, it is an excellent networking opportunity!

Cons: Distraction

Being social to a certain extent is great, but it can also be distracting. If you are working at a cafe, you may run into a friend or a chatty server, which can take away from your work time.

Even if you aren’t around people, there are a lot more distractions outside. Dogs barking, bees taking an interest in your coffee, and crazy weather forcing you to relocate. 

If you don’t have a flexible schedule, it can be risky to work outside because of all the unknown factors that may keep you away from your work.

Working outside is wonderful if you have minimal work equipment, a flexible schedule, and the perfect spot to work outdoors. 

Although your intentions may be good, venturing out of your trusty office can come with more stress than expected. The key is to plan for the unexpected and be flexible if things don’t go your way.

Photos: Shutterstock

Working outside can have its health benefit, but protecting yourself at work has many other things you need to do:

How Do We Protect Our Health At Work?

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