Whether you work at home, are in a cubicle or in an office, you can create an environment that helps you be productive. You may be surprised to learn that not all of the elements of a healthy office are work-related.

  1. Natural Light. Working in a dark, isolated room may seem like a good idea at first but over time you will become less productive and more depressed. Open the blinds, work in open space, and feel the positive power of natural light on your mood, attentiveness, and productivity.
  2. Ergonomic Desk. Sitting at the dining room table or slouched over a company issued desk may seem like the optimal work conditions, but it’s impacting your physical and mental health. Create a workspace that allows you to work sitting or standing, not bent over. You will experience less back and neck pain, will strengthen your core, and open the center of your body to more air and circulation. This increase in circulation will help you stay more attentive and less tired throughout the workday.
  3. Get up frequently. Experts recommend the 50/10 rule for working, especially if you’re tied to a desk most of the day. Set a timer for 50 minutes of work then get up and walk around for 10 minutes. Go up and down the stairs, walk around the building, or stretch to get the blood flowing and your mind off work for a few minutes. We promise you will be more productive when you return.
  4. Live Plants. In addition to making your office or cubicle feel more like home, plants purify the air, creating more oxygen. Combine this cleaner air with a bit of deep breathing throughout the day and you’re set for a healthy work environment.
  5. Manage your time, don’t let it manage you. We only have 24 hours in each day, making it important to choose how we use our hours wisely. Of course there are activities like sleep that are necessary, no matter how limited for some of us (read #6 to see why sleep is so important). Choose to stop working so you can exercise and spend time with friends and family. You’ll find that you’re more productive during work hours as a result of the time away from work.
  6. Get enough sleep. It is recommended that adults get 6-9 hours of sleep per night. If you’re not getting that amount, you’re missing out on time your body needs to refresh and recover from the damage incurred during the day. Whether you like it or not, sleep is an important part of your overall health, including your health at the office. Without enough, you can become irritable, confused, and forgetful, to name a few irritations (for both you and those around you).

We look forward to hearing how you’re making your office healthier!