Working in an office environment can be stressful, especially when you feel like you’re not getting enough work done or when your coworkers are too noisy or busy to focus on your work.
Luckily, there are plenty of things you can do to make your office less stressful so that you can get more done in less time and enjoy your surroundings at the same time. Follow these tips for making your office less stressful in seven ways.
1) Put Posters On The Walls
This is a small change that can go a long way toward making your office feel more inviting and creative. Hang up posters, photographs, and other graphics, so everyone feels like they are a part of something special and creative when they enter your office space.
Be sure to pick inspiring or meaningful images; for example, you might want to hang up photos of your family on certain days when you work late. If you don’t have any images handy, try printing some out online or using graphic-design programs like Photoshop or Gimp to make them yourself.
2) Install Smart Lighting
If you’re having trouble sleeping, make sure your lighting doesn’t interfere with a good night’s rest. Blue light from computer screens and other electronic devices can disrupt our circadian rhythms and trick our bodies into thinking it’s daytime. Adjust your screen brightness settings to minimize blue light exposure, or try an app that adjusts screen color throughout your day.
3) Have Fun Electronics
Everyone has heard about productivity apps and timers, but you don’t always have to rely on them. There are a few fun electronics out there that can give your office a boost of morale — you just need to know where to look. Check out what we recommend for making work more enjoyable.
- Laser Tag Guns: Like any other person, we love gadgets and tinkering with technology. Just imagine playing laser tag with your coworkers after work!
- Mini Foosball Table: You can play table football while getting some actual work done! This is perfect for an open space environment to separate from other areas while allowing people to play together or head off into separate corners to get stuff done individually.
- Wearable Fitness Trackers: For a health-conscious office, fitness trackers are a great way to keep tabs on how much exercise you’re getting during your day without sacrificing your fashion statement!
4) Have What People Want To Drink
It may seem like a small thing, but keeping water and healthy beverages available in your office is a simple way to make your employees more comfortable and productive. It will keep you healthy and cut down on expenses, too! Water is free while sodas are not. The next time you order supplies for your office, get extra water bottles—it’s one of those little things that makes an impact on employee health without costing much money or effort.
5) Always Keep Coolers Around
If you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed, even a quick break can make all of your problems disappear. Keep an office cooler stocked with water and healthy snacks — such as veggies and hummus, edamame, and frozen grapes to give yourself a quick boost. You might not believe it now, but those small respites will pay off big time when you’re working at full capacity.
6) Add Plants And Trees As Decorations
Studies have shown that having plants in your workspace is directly related to an increase in workplace happiness. Even if you’re not lucky enough to have a beautiful outdoor view, adding one or two live plants will make any space look more inviting and calming. With greenery scattered throughout your office, employees will be happy to work there.
But if you do have an outdoor view that has not been maintained for some time, you can talk to HR to hire a tree service that will easily transform your office’s landscape. You can have different kinds of trees, some even with fruits. Just imagine how relaxing it will be to stay under the shade during break time.
7) Keep Things Clean And Neat
When your office is a total mess, it’s hard to focus on getting things done. Clutter can be a productivity killer — it may distract you from your work, and it might even trigger anxiety. Take a few minutes each day to clean up and organize your space so that your office is tidy at all times. This way, you won’t have to waste time looking for things later on.
Sometimes your workplace is not your favorite place on earth, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do something about it. Whether you need to improve efficiency, boost morale or prevent stress-related illnesses, there are certain office items and decorations that can make working easier.