Where we work is a lot more important than some people realize. If your workplace is a filthy, chaotic mess, your mind is going to suffer. You’ll be less happy, less energetic, and less productive- even if you don’t realize it. Proper posture, well-timed breaks and good sleeping and eating routines are only part of the equation. One’s environment can actually have as much of an impact on one’s health as their job and personal habits.
Here’s a few tips to keep your mind healthy while at work- and your body healthy with it.
Keep it Clean: Clutter is one of the worst, most distracting things in the world. Studies have actually proven that the more cluttered your workplace, the less able you are to concentrate and process information. It makes a lot of sense, if you think about it. Even if you’re not actively looking at your surroundings, your mind is still processing them, to a degree. The more there is to process, the more power it has to devote to processing it, and the less power it’s able to give you for completing your work. The clutter quite literally competes with your work for your attention.
Keep it Quiet: We’re not just talking about visual clutter, either. Auditory clutter- whether it’s a screaming toddler, construction, traffic, or inconsiderate neighbors/co-workers – is just as bad as visual clutter for our focus (perhaps worse). It actually negatively impacts our mood along with our ability to focus, competing for our attention in an even more obnoxious fashion than visual clutter.
At least the former is passive.
Distractions, Distractions, Distractions: Clutter’s not the only thing we distract ourselves with. Particularly for those of us who work online, the Internet is simultaneously our best tool and the most efficiency-destroying entity in the world. I’m sure most of us can attest to how easy it is to find ourselves on Reddit, Facebook, Twitter, Stumbleupon, Youtube…you get the idea. If need be, download an application to keep you focused and on track- perhaps one that locks down all the websites which distract you while you try to work – because it’s right bloody stressful when you realize you haven’t gotten anything done because you’re looking at pictures of cats again.
Keep it Comfortable: More than anything else, you need to be comfortable in your workplace. Do whatever’s necessary to achieve this, so long as you don’t negatively impact the experience of anyone else. It’s pretty obvious- if you feel stressed and uncomfortable in your workplace, you aren’t going to get anything done. Pretty basic, yeah?
Music Works: Now, I know I said to keep it quiet, but there’s one exception to the rule- music. A good song can increase your ability to focus tenfold, energizing you and making you feel ready to take on the world. If you’ve permission, bring some music with you, and listen to it while you’re working. Believe me – it’ll help.
Image Credits: [Examiner]
Like what you read?
If so, please join over 28,000 people who receive our exclusive weekly newsletter and computer tips, and get FREE COPIES of 5 eBooks we created, as our gift to you for subscribing. Just enter your name and email below:
