You spend a lot of time at work; in fact, it is probably where you spend most of your time and depending on what you do, you might think your workplace environment is very healthy.
If you work in construction or manual labor then of course there are going to be risks and many health and safety procedures to make sure that your workplace environment is as safe and healthy as it can be, but if you’re working behind a desk all day in an office, don’t assume that this is a healthy place to be.
Many jobs, unfortunately, come with stress, sedentary behavior, and unhealthy habits, which can take their toll on your health both physically and mentally.
Whether you work from home or you spend your days sitting in a cubicle in an office, there are a few things you can do to make your work environment better for your overall health and wellbeing:
Move More
Too much sitting is no good for anyone, so if you work at a desk all day, you need to make an effort to walk around or to stand up for at least two hours a day.
Not only is this good for you physically, but studies show that it can increase productivity and focus too.
Two hours is a big chunk of your day, so if you can’t manage walking-meetings or breaks to try and achieve this then perhaps you should look into getting a standing desk?
Clear the air
Office environments don’t usually have the cleanest air, from air conditioning or heaters spreading germs from one end of the office to the other to chemicals in carpet, office furniture, or paint, this can cause problems like headaches and rashes, or stuffy air could simply affect your brainpower.
According to a 2015 Harvard University study, offices with increased ventilation and lower levels of air pollutants were linked to better employee performance.
It’s a good idea to keep the windows open while you work and if that’s not an option, then you could get an air purifier with a HEPA filter for your desk.
Don’t Eat At Your Desk
One of the most important things you can do during the workday is to not eat at your desk.
It is essential to have a dedicated area where you can go to get away from your desk and have lunch, preferably with other people, so you can truly get that break during the day.
While it’s necessary to keep your desk area clean as according to Professional IT Consultants, Athens Micro, a tidy workstation can help employees become high achievers, having lunch away from your desk also helps to reset your brain for an afternoon of productivity.
Plus, if you’re eating while distracted, you are much more likely to overeat
Paint your walls green
This might sound a bit out there but studies have shown that shades of green have been linked to enhanced creative thinking.
Choose a shade that’s quiet and calming and if painting the walls isn’t an option then adding green elements to your desk could be helpful, but whatever you do avoid red; it’s been shown to negatively affect analytical performance.
What are you doing to have a healthy work environment?
