As we start a new year, it’s important to be prepared and ready for all that is to come. It may seem like a daunting task, but have no fear, Corporate Challenge is here!
Tried and tested, here are our top 5 tips to survive and thrive in your office in 2015!
No. 1 – A Welcoming Environment
To start with, you can’t be productive in an unclean and unfriendly environment. So spend a little time assessing your office. Tune into your senses when entering the space and ask yourself what do you see, smell, hear, feel and touch? If any of these initiate negative responses then it is time to make changes!
A few extra questions to consider are:
Is the layout of your office effective? Are you using the space efficiently?
Have you got natural light? Do you regularly have access to fresh air?
Is the office clean, hygienic and free of clutter?
These are all important questions to ask as they all contribute significantly to an employee’s health, wellbeing and desire to continue coming to work each day.
No. 2 – Desk Essentials
Your desk is where you spend the majority of your time at work, so therefore it should be a comfortable and motivating place that inspires you every day!
When organising your desk, start with the essentials: A comfortable ergonomic chair, an extended display and an appropriate desk height. Or why not consider trying a height adjustable desk to stand or an exercise ball chair? Other desk basics to consider include a great set of stationery and effective storage.
Once you’ve got these basics in place, it’s time to apply your personal touch!
No. 3 – Applying a Personal Touch
There are many ways you can personalise your desk and office space.
My favourite personal accessories are:
· A great moisturiser, lip balm and hand cream in order for your skin to survive the office air conditioner.
· Colourful and vibrant stationary because who doesn’t love a visit to Kikki K.
· Motivational Posters and Inspirational Quotes to encourage you during the 3pm slump.
· A real plant such as a fern or succulent as they help to remove toxins, cleanse the air and provide fresh oxygen. Plus they help to brighten up the office and prove that you can care for something living other than yourself!
· A healthy snack box to stop you reaching for the chocolate and lollies in the afternoon.
Whatever your favourite accessories are, ensure that you keep them up to date and always at hand to keep you feeling fresh, enthused and encouraged throughout your work day.
No. 4 – Healthy Snacks and Drinking Water
Your body and brain require regular sustenance throughout the day to keep you awake, motivated and working efficiently. Most importantly, it is vital that you are consuming enough water. It may mean more trips to the bathroom, but it’s better than becoming dehydrated, unfocused, unenergised or leaving the office with a headache. If you struggle to drink a good amount of water per day (think 2 litres) then we suggest buying a large drink bottle and marking time increments on it. This will ensure that you are regularly consuming water and that you can keep tabs on how much you are drinking and when. Healthy snacks are also important to consider. Leave the chocolate bars, chips and sugary drinks in the supermarket and go for the healthy snacks such as fruit, nuts, vegetable sticks and dip. Your body WILLthank you for all the nutrients you are consuming!
No. 5 – Get Up and Move!
It’s so important that we aren’t sedentary all day in the office. Research by Dr James Levine on the effects of a sedentary lifestyle states that ‘Sitting is more dangerous than smoking, kills more people than HIV and is more treacherous than parachuting. We are sitting ourselves to death’.
Very confronting!
Many offices are now introducing the sit stand desk which has many proven health benefits including a decreased risk of obesity and cardiovascular disease and in many cases researchers believe that it can actually increase your life span.
However, if you aren’t able to stand at your desk, then ensure you are getting up and going for a walk around the office at least every hour. Whilst sitting, remember to move and stretch your legs, stretch your arms and loosen any tension in your shoulders or back. If possible, go for a walk during your lunch break or do a quick yoga session.
If you enjoy a challenge, then invest in a Fitbit and count your steps for the day. This is not only a helpful tool to measure steps, but it will also keep track of what you eat, how much you drink and how often you are exercising.
These tips have been effective in helping us create a friendly and motivating work environment. We have found that if you are working in a positive environment, then you will work more efficiently and more effectively. You will wake up in the morning and actually be excited to go to work for the day!
So, send an email, post a bulletin or arrange a meeting and get started today on creating a more productive work environment for 2015! Good luck!
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