How to work outside and be taken seriously

Here are 5 things to create the outdoor workspace you need.

Remember when your class went outside for a session or field trip? There was something special about that time -- the way your body relaxed and your mind felt free. That same kind of experience can provide inspiration in a work setting.

Haworth / Via haworth.com

Working outdoors helps overall well being, studies say. Just looking outside can help with focus by relieving eye strain and providing a few moments to gather your thoughts or noodle on ideas. More importantly, taking breaks from intense work can restore cognitive and physical energy so you are refreshed and ready to dive back in.

Even the traditional office furniture industry is realizing that outdoor spaces can be an important retention and attraction tool. But these alfresco options have to go beyond dingy cubicles or loud open-plan environments.

Haworth’s John Scott says there is a reason the outdoors is becoming the new frontier of workplace collaboration.

"Stepping outdoors to meet with your team or converse with a coworker has been shown to lower blood pressure while activating creativity in the whole brain," Scott said.

An afternoon alfresco can offer quiet reflection and relaxation that can be key to accomplishing important, heads-down work. Researchers have found that spending time in a natural setting helps people replenish mental, emotional, and physical energy to stave off burn-out and continue performing well.

If you are going to work outside -- and be taken seriously by your boss -- you’ll need the right tools. Here are 5 things to create the outdoor workspace you need.

Prepare for the weather

Redi-Rite / Via zoro.com

Even on sunny days, a strong breeze can play havoc with your stuff. That’s why it is nice to have a container that serves as a portable mini-desk drawer to protect your papers and other items such as keys or a phone. The Redi-Rite Portable Storage Clipboard fits the bill perfectly with an inch and half of depth. The clipboard on the outside of the sleek aluminum container is handy for holding down papers you might be referencing while working. It’s available online for $22.89 from Zoro.

Shade

Paul Adshead / Via Instagram: @PaulAdshead

Screen glare might be the biggest frustration of working outside. One inexpensive solution is putting a laptop inside an Ikea Drona box. (Credit for this ingenious hack goes to Photographer Paul Adshead.) It's a fraction of the price of a laptop hood which can run more than $100. The lightweight box can do double duty, providing an easy way to carry your stuff back inside when you are done working. The Drona box is available for $3.99 from Ikea.

Technology

Netgear / Via netgear.com

A bad connection can hurt productivity when working outside. Fortunately, there are outdoor Wi-Fi extenders. One good option is Netgear's Orbi Outdoor Satellite (RBS50Y), which is getting high marks from tech reviewers for performing at over 200 feet away. But there is only one caveat with this all-weather device. It is compatible only with an Orbi mesh Wi-Fi router. It’s available on Amazon for $290 while a suitable router can range from $50 to $20.

Ergonomics (pillow)

Sunbrella / Via pinterest.com

Making sure your body is taken care of ergonomically will make working outside for hours as comfortable as working inside. One easy option is a pillow that can slip into any chair and support your lower back. This is especially important in outdoor furniture as it can sometimes lack the support for working at a laptop. Look for a “lumbar” pillow and there will be a wide range of prices and styles. A cool, trendy striped option is available for $50 from Cost Plus PWorld Market.

Furniture

JANUS et CIe / Via shopjanusetcie.com

Sure, you can sit on the grass or a park bench while you work outside. But really good furniture can make all the difference in terms of comfort and professionalism, as well as being multi-use for indoor and outdoor. JANUS et Cie is known for quality outdoor furniture and should be considered when you are ready to invest in your space for the long term. A few pieces can turn an unused cement pad into outdoor office space worthy of a meeting with a client. A good first piece might be from the Easy Collection – a chair and table will run about $1,000.