It is a known fact that your workspace has a tremendous influence on how you work – on your ability to focus as well as your overall capacity to be productive. Whether you’re working in a larger company atmosphere or from the comfort of your home, the design of your office is of utmost importance.
Some studies have shown that a properly designed office boosts your productivity up to 20 percent. Motivational levels of your employees are affected by various factors like lighting, temperature and proper desk arrangements. Improving your workspace can be easy if you pay attention to these 5 tips.
1. Lightning
When it comes to improving the lighting of your working environment, nothing compares to natural light. Natural light controls substances such as serotonin and melatonin in the brain, deeply influencing concentration and the general mood. Our brains have evolved to react to natural sunlight, therefore, it is no wonder that we’re not at our best under the artificial electric light. Try to engulf your office with a source of natural light. The more, the merrier.
Curtains and blinds can help decrease the glare, but lift them up from time to time to let the sunlight in. Additionally, try lightning up your workspace with a mix of various types of artificial lighting. Renew your old tungsten bulbs with flicker-free, energy-saving ones that are bright enough, yet not too clinically white. As soon as you increase the flow of the natural light, you will experience positive changes in the mood and workplace productivity.
2. Temperature
Whether you work from home or you go every day to your office, the room temperature can immensely affect your mood, health, and productivity. Most offices maintain their temperatures around 18- 20 Celsius, but it turns out that this is not the best setting for overall productivity. Actually, slightly warmer rooms make workers more productive. Tweaking your AC couple of degrees up will make you feel more comfortable and relaxed. On the other hand, one should never neglect natural outdoor temperature, depending on the season. Sometimes it is necessary to open the windows and let the fresh, warm spring/summer breeze into your workspace.
3. Table And Chair
In today’s offices, there are so many of us who are sitting incorrectly throughout the whole day. This can often lead to fatigue, lack of concentration and grumpiness. If you catch yourself stretching, moving and adjusting your chair and table too often just to stay focused, it means you haven’t set up your working space properly.
Keep in mind these few ergonomic checks:
● Your eyes should be around 60-90 cm away from the computer screen, with the top of the monitor below or at your eye level. This helps your eyes as well as your neck posture.
● Keep your feet resting on the floor or on a footrest. It is important to keep your body at 90 degrees angle while sitting. Don’t cross your legs as this will cut the blood flow and your leg will go numb after some time.
● A slightly leaned chair posture is enough to decrease pressure on the spine and reduce lower back pain.
4. Communication And Technology
New technologies are making the workplace a more productive and pleasant place to be. That is a fact. Whether you are interacting with your colleagues or having a conference call with another country, technology has definitely made business easier, and hence improved day to day productivity and efficiency. There are a rising number of companies that are utilizing tools like instant messaging to interact with employees.
Office elements, such as breakout spaces and meeting rooms, are also changing due to the modern technology. To improve productivity and ease of communication, companies are using software and apps to work across sectors with minimal disturbance. These small investments proved to be very cost-effective in the long run. Even if you are managing the business from home, it is a great idea to take fast loans so as to improve your office and keep up with the newest technologies. This will make your work life easier and less stressful.
5. Colors Are Important
Multiple scientific studies agree that color affects motivation and the mood to a great extent. The phrases like “red makes you aggressive” and “green makes you calmer” are popular, yet not entirely true. Human brain responds to colors in a complex way, thus we require diversity and balance of colors in our workspace to make it effective.
Choosing a warm yellow may be a sound choice for the office walls, whereas a burning red may be too much. However, coloring a few blocks of red here and there is healthier than a sterile one-colored space. Also, colorful pictures (tastefully chosen) can also beautify an office immensely. If you have your own artwork, try introducing it into your workspace. A personal touch of art will make you through the day with a smile on.
Conclusion
With home life and work life being continually entangled, it is necessary to be conscious of your work environment, your work habit, and your mind, in order not to burn out. Your office should be a place of comfort and relaxation, yet orientated toward work and efficiency.
Improving your work environment can help you to connect more with your job, promote a feeling of happiness and fulfillment, while increasing your productivity at the same time. Investing in your workspace is investing in your own physical and mental benefit.
Author Bio
Emma Worden is a business manager from Sydney. She enjoys reading and writing on a business topic and giving advice and tips through her texts. If you want to read more of her work, you can find it at https://bizzmarkblog.com/
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