Office spaces could be pretty mechanical and annoying sometimes. There’s an air of professionalism that is sometimes, characterised by monotony, plain walls, stiff and uncomfortable furniture, and more (unless you work in a relaxed or creative space.)
Since you spend a significant part of your day at work— and a lot of companies hardly factor in ergonomics and comfort— it’s essential to make your workspace more space fun, comfy and relaxing (as long as you do not contravene company culture and policies, of course.)
Need some help? We’ve got you covered with some tips:
Make Your Furniture Comfy
If you’re going to sit at your desk for hours at a stretch (which isn’t advisable), you need to ensure that your furniture— especially your chair— is comfortable enough to support your spine and prevent backaches and muscle pains.
You can make a polite and official complaint to HR so that you can get a more ergonomic chair. While you wait for a new one (or if your request isn’t granted), you can get a small cushion, lumbar pillow or detachable backrest to support your back and prevent discomfort.
Personalize Your Space
There’s nothing wrong with adding some office-friendly personal stuff to your workspace. (Please don’t take a blanket or foldable mattress to work unless you’re allowed to 😂). You can take a framed portrait of someone or a quote that makes you feel happy and inspired, a coffee mug from home, a small-sized art piece, action figures, a plant humidifier or a potted plant to place on your desk. The point is to include something that makes you feel relaxed and at home.
Top Flexxzone Picks
Workplace Etiquette 101: Tips That Are Often Ignored
If You Hate Working Late, This Is For You
Is Work Taking Over Your Life?
Organize Your Desk
Make it a point of duty to keep your desk always organized, especially when before you leave work each day. Declutter and arrange files and documents on your desk, so they don’t take up too much space, leaving you feeling disorganised.
Include Snacks and Healthy Food
Sometimes, you need to eat something while you work, to make you feel less stressed.
Food makes everything better, after all. You can get some cookies, granola/ energy bars, sweets, cereal, tea and more and keep them in your under-desk cabinet for those moments when you need to grab a bite. However, keep your snacks healthy and avoid going on a binge. Also, ensure you do not litter your desk with crumbs and particles.
Stay Warm
Offices are often really cold (I’m guessing it’s a metaphor for professionalism or something like that) so if you don’t like cold spaces, it’s crucial to stay warm by taking a sweater, blazer or scarf to work with you. Your co-workers might not agree to turn down the AC because of you, so it’s essential to dress for comfort.
Incorporate Some Relaxing Activities
If you need to de-stress, relax alone or shift your mind from work for a while during break time, you can take some items such as a sketchbook or adult colouring book to work. According to this CNN article, adult colouring books have therapeutic effects; they help you reduce anxiety and practice mindfulness. They also help to improve your creativity and focus. If anyone tells you colouring books are for kids, show them this article with a smirk on your face.
Create A Work Playlist
Music helps you feel pumped and relaxed, so why not create a unique work playlist filled with your favourite jams? If you need some help, you can head over to Apple Music or Deezer to find playlists you might like.
Take Screen Breaks
Staring at a screen for too long could strain your eyes and leave you feeling stressed, so it’s essential to take regular screen breaks. Here’s an article about some free apps that will help you reduce eye strain.
Leave a Reply