Office Hacks to Boost Productivity
Sometimes you get to your office space with the best intentions, but just can’t seem to get anything done. Whether you’re plagued by constant distractions or battling that afternoon slump, your productivity may not always be top notch. To keep your productivity up, try these hacksto make your office a more efficient and pleasant place to work.
Eat a healthy snack
Vending machines are not your friend. All those sugars and processed foods are only going to slow you down and make you feel even more lethargic than before. Try to pack healthier options like nuts, fruits, cheese sticks or hard-boiled eggs. They fit easily into a lunch box that you can keep at your desk, making it simple to sneak a quick bite.
Fill your office space with music
If your coworkers are suffering too, why not put on some tunes to work along to? If you can’t agree on a genre, grab your headphones and rock out solo. While studies show that classical and instrumental music tend to enhance focus, some people are successful with any genre. Find a balance between music that is energizing and music that just distracts from your work. If you find yourself Googling lyrics, switch stations.
Change up the lighting in the office
Lighting can really affect your mood and energy levels. Cheap options like fluorescent bulbs tend to cause fatigue and eye strain. If you have any control over the lighting situation, try switching out fluorescents for CFLs or LEDs. Also try to set up desks near windows that allow in plenty of natural sunlight.
If you don’t have control over the lighting in your office space, try bringing in a personal light therapy device. These small lamps mimic sunlight and have been shown to boost mood and alertness, which will make it easier to get some work done.
Get rid of the clutter
A cluttered desk equals a cluttered mind. If your work space is covered in papers, dirty coffee mugs, and loose paperclips, chances are you won’t remain focused. Take 5-10 minutes every morning to clear off the mess from the day before and start fresh. Take another look after lunch to see if you can straighten up any messes that might have accumulated during the first half of the day.
Get comfortable
No, we don’t mean comfortable enough to fall asleep. But being comfortable enough in your office that you aren’t fidgeting, adjusting and stretching every few minutes is incredibly important. If you are working in an office space for rent, you might not have control over the furniture, but you can bring in adjusters like lumbar support and pillows that can make a cheap chair more comfortable. A footrest that elevates your feet can also improve the blood flow in your legs.
Another important thing to keep in mind is your computer screen. Your monitor should be 24-36 inches away from your eyes and at eye level. Try adding monitor risers to get your screen where it needs to be and to relieve strain on your neck from constantly looking downwards.
Decorate your office space
Studies show that having something aesthetically pleasing to look at while you work will actually boost productivity. Flowers, photos of a place you love and small plants can really boost your overall happiness level, making it easier to work. Consider getting a plant that also helps with air quality. Gerber daisies add a cheerful pop of color while filtering out benzene, a byproduct of printer ink. Aloe and chrysanthemum are both excellent for improving indoor air quality, but do require a healthy dose of sunlight, so these will only work if you’ve scored a desk near a window.
If you’re not much of a green thumb and are also stuck without a window, a Spider Plant is near impossible to kill and does a great job of cleaning up benzene, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, and xylene, a solvent used in printing industries. Close to the printer and sick of smelling toner? A Spider Plant is a great choice.
Getting work done at the office doesn’t have to be a constant battle. Try out a few of these office hacks and you’ll be powering through the workday with ease.