According to experts, the average American spends 35 hours a week in an office, which means almost a third of their life, can you believe it? So, due to this fact, it’s very important to feel as comfortable as possible when you go to work every day.
If your office looks messy and cluttered, then your productivity level will decrease significantly, and your mind will be more and more tired. Spending so much time at the office can be tiring for many of you, but there are a few tricks and tips that will make your life easier.
So, here are some genius office hacks that will improve your working environment and increase your level of productivity. Read on to find out more!
The importance of natural light – Natural light is one of the most important things that you shouldn’t ignore when you are at the office. So, if you have the possibility, try to set up your workspace near a window, but if you can’t, try to convince your colleagues to raise the blinds to let the light in, instead. Nevertheless, try to take small and frequent breaks to relax in the natural light.
“Studies show that natural light in office spaces improves worker satisfaction and increases productivity. It’s also been shown to enhance mood and encourage creativity,” says holistic business coach Tiffany Napper.
You can also opt for extra lamps to light the office. “The extra light will help keep you alert, but without the strain often caused by typical office fluorescent lighting,” adds career change coach Sumayya Essack, owner of Curate the Future.
Choose a flat screen monitor – A flat screen monitor kept above eye level can help you be productive and this is essential especially if you choose to work from home. Not only does it help you limit distractions, but it is also beneficial to your posture. Experts recommend using a standing desk as well.
“Working in a kitchen chair looking down at a laptop might be an option for the occasional work-at-home day, but for extended periods, you need a flat screen monitor, so you’re looking up,” says Angelique Rewers, CEO of The Corporate Agent.
Spending a lot of time at the office is exhausting and sitting all day long can cause back and bone pain. Unfortunately, in some work domains, movement is limited, so in these conditions, it is ideal to take frequent breaks or set your chair and desk so that you can maintain a correct body posture for a long time.
Try energizing scents – Every office should have a device that emits energizing scents, whether we are talking about an organization with many employees or people who work from home. However, if your work mates don’t like this idea, you can opt for scented candles or essential oils that can be kept on your desk. These energizing scents will help you improve your work flow and increase your productivity.
“Light a candle or fill an essential oil diffuser with energizing scents and only use it in your workspace during work hours,” recommends Krista Karstens, a consultant with Pioneer Management Consulting. “When you use it every day, it reminds your brain of past productivity, and signals at the start of each day that it’s time to work,” she added.
It is a well-known fact that successful companies understand the impact of scent on workplace productivity. They know that you don’t have to renovate the whole building to make the workplace more productive, but it’s important to pay attention to the small details and improve them – and the scent of the room is one of them. How does it work? According to experts, an energizing scent can improve employees’ moods by up to 40 percent and they will stay 18 percent longer in a room that smells nice.
The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA) said that aromatherapy is “the art and science of utilizing naturally extracted aromatic essences from plants to balance, harmonize and promote the health of body, mind, and spirit.”
Make sure you have everything you need on hand – If you want to increase your level of productivity at work, you have to make sure that you have everything you need on hand, such as water, healthy snacks, supplements and other office essentials.
“It’s good to get up and leave the room when taking a break, but by making sure you have what you need and making it easy to stay hydrated, you’ll be able to focus by reducing multiple trips to the kitchen or another room,” says Essack.
Create an official office space – Whether you are working from home, or you go to the office every day, you have to create an official office space that will help you stay connected and keep you focused on completing your tasks. If you work from the office, you should eat your lunch in the kitchen or elsewhere, but not at your desk. If you work from home, try to create an office space that can keep you focused all day.
“Have a dedicated area that you can establish as your ‘office’ space,” even though you choose to work in the kitchen or living room, said om Marino, founder of Monarch Life Coaching.
Keep only essential tabs open on your computer – Don’t get distracted by other tabs, games, and people when working. One of the most important things that you have to keep in mind when working is to leave just one tab open on your computer if you want to be productive and keep your mind relaxed. The same goes for your phone, though.
“Only give your attention to the project you are working on,” suggests Marino. “Limiting distractions will allow you to get more done in a shorter time.”
Declutter and disinfect your desk regularly – First of all, it’s important to know that you need to work in a clean and decluttered office, so try to keep things in order and get rid of useless papers and post-its.
“Minimizing visual distractions, clutter, and the paper-related mess will help you to stay focused on your tasks,” explains clinical psychologist Kimberly Dwyer, Ph.D.
