Working outdoors can benefit your mental health, and many people welcome a break from the office. However, taking your workspace into nature often includes distractions and quirks you wouldn't encounter inside.
Here’s a look at the many ways working outside can improve your day, as well as some practical tips for handling tech in the great outdoors (or patio, or backyard).
What Are the Benefits of Working Outside?
Taking your studies or job outdoors is often associated with a range of mental and physical benefits. Many workers feel calmed by working outside, while others appreciate the sense of personal control that working outdoors offers, according to Frontiers in Psychology. Other people appreciate the ability to simply breathe and relax outside.
Spending more time outdoors offers potential health benefits when you're off the clock, too. For instance, sun exposure correlates with improved sleep quality, whether you're exercising outdoors or simply sitting, according to the Journal of Exercise Nutrition & Biochemistry.
In addition, moderate sun exposure facilitates vitamin D production, a necessary micronutrient that may help protect against cancer development and offer a decreased risk of type 1 diabetes, according to the Journal of the American College of Nutrition. The exact ways in which sunlight impacts your health are still under study, but it looks like spending a bit more time in natural light (without risking overexposure or a sunburn) may help protect your health over time.
For outdoorsy people, this is an exciting way to reimagine the typical office setup. As long as you work on a laptop or other mobile device, then it's probably possible to bring your tasks outside as well. Here’s how to make your time working outdoors as pleasant and productive as possible.
1. Choose a Location That Suits Your Work Style
Find a spot outside that complements your ideal working environment. For some people, an outdoor table in a busy coffee shop is perfect. Others may prefer setting up shop in a quiet park.
Experiment until you find a space that works for you. Remember that working outside doesn't have to mean venturing deep into the woods, either: a balcony, backyard, or porch can serve the purpose just as well.
In order to create a productive remote work office that's mobile, corral everything you need into a single bag. By keeping your laptop, headphones, chargers, and more all in one space, it's easier to take your office on the go without forgetting anything crucial.
2. Use Tech Designed to Go Outside
Not every device is built for taking on the great outdoors. Before committing to an outside office, check whether your smart devices are safe to bring outside. Checking your device's ingress protection (IP) rating will tell you whether it's hardy enough to venture out of the office.
Higher numerical ratings mean the device has greater protection against dust and water; while an IP 65 rating means the device is safe from getting sprayed with water, an IP 68 rating implies the device is safe from immersion underwater.
If you want to pursue outdoor work for the long term, then consider laptops and tablets designed for durability. You should ideally look for a laptop that withstands drops and water exposure, and is also rated for functionality under extreme conditions.
3. Apply Sunscreen
Even if you're only planning to work outside for a few minutes here and there, stashing some sunscreen in your laptop bag is a great idea. Enjoy the sunshine while protecting your skin from its rays.
If you need some help remembering to apply it, the REAPPLY: Sunscreen Reminder app is a brilliant option. It displays current UV levels for your area, offers reminders to reapply your sunscreen throughout the day, and provides additional content about sun safety. You'll get a better sense of how much time to spend in direct sunlight, as well as when it's time to seek shade.
Download: REAPPLY: Sunscreen Timekeeper for iOS (Free)
If you're working in a park or wooded area, then adding a bottle of bug repellent alongside your sunscreen is a good idea, too. Now you're more prepared for whatever nature brings.
4. Make Your Screen Easier to Read
If there’s one thing that makes working outdoors difficult, it’s screen glare. Working in a shaded spot can reduce this issue considerably, but sometimes you’re left squinting at the screen, even on overcast days. Sometimes cranking the brightness up on your screen can help make everything a bit more visible. Wearing sunglasses can also cut some of the glare and make the screen readable.
For a long-term solution, you may want to consider working from a matte display monitor or using an anti-glare laptop screen protector. A few adjustments to your setup can make the laptop or tablet much easier on the eyes in bright daylight.
5. Keep Your Internet Connection Strong
Invest in a portable Wi-Fi hotspot if you’re venturing somewhere with a spotty internet connection. The last thing you want to do is locate the perfect outdoor spot only to find it's impossible to work there. A hotspot frees you up to work just about anywhere.
6. Watch the Weather
Unfortunately, the weather doesn’t always support your desire to get work done outdoors. Monitor the local weather–and note any nearby lightning strikes–with the WeatherBug app.
The WeatherBug app includes 20 map layers, so you can check out future radar, precipitation, and even air quality for your area. It's also easy to monitor the weather at other locations around the globe, which is helpful if your job requires travel.
Download: WeatherBug for iOS | Android (Free, subscription available)
Enjoy the Calming Effects of Working Outdoors With Help From Tech
By making a few tweaks to your laptop setup, as well as keeping a close watch on the weather, you can make working a pleasant alternative to your typical office setup outdoors.
With the help of a mobile hotspot and perhaps some screen protectors, you'll be well on your way toward creating a functional outdoor office. Enjoy some sunshine, take a deep breath, and savor the chance to take your job outside.