It’s 3 PM, and you start to squirm in your desk chair. Your back is getting stiff, your shoulders are tense, and you have completely lost focus on your work. Your office productivity is dwindling. Sound familiar? You are not alone in this. Daily Mail reports that 2:55 PM is when most employees are not productive. This is when you may find yourself checking social media, grabbing an energy drink or coffee, or simply zoning out. When we sit at our desks for long periods of time, even the most diligent worker will lose focus at some point. And, when we are sitting too much we start to feel less and less motivated on a daily basis. Our bodies have small aches and pains that we think are natural. There’s still two hours left in the day and our boost in energy is nowhere to be found. With a few minor adjustments, you can feel better and gain back that focus and energy you are looking for. You will be more productive and confident throughout your work day. Our blog will explain how to create a healthier office space: an atmosphere for you to excel to your full potential.
Tip 1: First things first, get organized.
Schedule some time to declutter your work area. Add this to your calendar just like any other business appointment. Organizing your work can help you organize your brain and compartmentalize your stress. Clearing your desktop will provide some mind clarity. This will also help to eliminate distractions and allow you to focus on the task at hand.
Tip 2: Too clean? Add your personal touch.
Bring in items from home that make you feel good and motivate you. Add framed photos of family and friends. Add memorabilia of a particular achievement or vacation. Pick items as things that can motivate you when you glance their way. Be selective and keep these items to a limit as they are not meant to be a distraction, but a catalyst to your work.
Tip 3: Stand up for yourself.
You may have heard of standing desks before. Movement from sitting to standing periodically throughout the day can help you to feel more energized and increase your productivity. It can also help to alleviate some of the aches and pains that we may feel after being in a sedentary position for too long. While some of the latest and greatest standing desk options can put a dent in your wallet, there are some more affordable solutions that can give you the same benefits. If standing isn’t for you, there are other options for improving your posture at your desk. Chair attachmentscan be beneficial in alleviating lower back pain and helping us to sit up straight.
Tip 4: Refresh your desk with a plant.
Studies have shown plants to be significant in reducing negative energy in the workplace. Large or small, plants can reduce pollution in the air around your desk and help to minimize stress. Different colors can cause us to feel a certain way when they catch our eye. The color green is associated with thoughts of nature, vitality and wealth. Having just one plant in an office has been shown to have an uplifting effect on the entire staff!
Tip 5: Prepare your emergency stress reduction toolkit.
Keep a few handy items in your desk drawers that you can use when you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed. You could have a stress ball to release tension in your body. You could have a neck wrap to help reduce stiffness in your neck and soothe your muscles. Try aromatherapy through use of a diffuser with essential oils. Stock up on your favorite scents of essential oils to inhale or diffusein a time of stress. Some of the recommended scents to help you to feel calm are lavender, rosemary, lemon and peppermint.
Tip 6: Fuel your brain.
Carbohydrates are your brain’s primary choice for fuel. When we are hungry, our brain is not at it’s full potential. This doesn’t mean you need to eat a three-course meal, but snack on something small and full of nutrients to give your brain a boost. Some non-perishable snacks that you could keep on hand are trail mix, whole wheat crackers, popcorn or mixed nuts. Have a fridge nearby? Even better. Bring a yogurt or cut up fruit or vegetables and dip with you and take a walk to the fridge to grab them.
After you try out a few of our tips to re-energize your office productivity, let us know what you gained by optimizing your office space! We often underestimate the amount of time in our lives that we spend at work. When we try our best to live a healthy lifestyle outside of work, it’s important that our work habits are healthy as well!
Do you want to add that extra edge for your workforce? Are you interested in creating a healthy work environment for your employees and boosting office productivity? Email us for more tips and tricks for how your office can create and maintain a healthy workplace, beryl@bkomplete.com. We look forward to hearing about your office and partnering with you to create a winning workplace!