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18 Mar

Posted at 02:00h in Business Resources, Healthy Office Lifestyle
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7 Steps to a Happy Mind and a Happier Workday!

 

We’ve all been there. It’s eleven AM on a Wednesday. The walls of your cubicle seem to be closing in on you. Your eyes are glued to the clock. You want to bolt for the door. But of course, if you did, you would find yourself searching for another job. So, with a pained look on your face, you slump in your chair and proceed with the usual routine. Fortunately, simple lifestyle changes in and outside of the office will ensure a happier workday. The things you surround yourself with throughout the day have a greater impact than you may think. Even the most dull and dreary jobs can be remedied. A happy workday begins with a happy mind!

1. Wake up just a little earlier

I know what you’re thinking—NO WAY! Who wants to give up those last precious moments of rest before starting the workday? But, your morning determines your day. So, get to bed at a decent time. Resist that Netflix urge. Set your alarm thirty to forty minutes earlier than your usual routine requires. Bolting out of bed, skipping breakfast, or bypassing your morning hygienic routine leaves your body with insufficient time to wake up. Waking up a little earlier will leave you with the necessary wiggle room to relax and prepare for the day with minimal stress. Plan to prepare yourself a hearty breakfast as an extra incentive to get out of bed.

2. Be Nice to your Body

Make sure you’re feeling nourished at work. If your stomach is rumbling you are more likely to feel irritable or unfocused. It is never productive to make important decisions while your body is hungry or dehydrated. Keep a water bottle filled throughout the day and drink more than you think you should. You’d be surprised what some cold water can do for your mood and overall productivity. Have a mid-afternoon snack to hold you over after lunch and before dinner. Healthy choices are always the best decision. Snack on fruit, yogurt, or wholesome bars. A satisfied stomach fuels a happy and sharper mind.

3. Sticky notes, sticky notes, sticky notes!

The world’s most versatile invention—the sticky note. The possibilities are endless. Think of them as colorful little reminders to maintain a positive energy and mindset throughout the workday. Jot down inspiring quotes or funny sayings that just make you feel good. Who’s your ultimate role model? Capture his/her voice and wisdom on a sticky note. Share this insight with others. Leave colleagues little reminders saying, “don’t forget, meeting at 11!,” or friendly notes reading, “stop by my cubicle later to chat!” This is an effective way to stay organized, get up on your feet a bit, and maintain a more personal relationship with your colleagues. Who doesn’t love personalized notes (not to mention on fun, colorful paper)?

4. Make Someone’s Day

Studies have shown that smiling more actually makes you feel happier throughout the day. Friendliness breeds positive energy. Bring this energy into the workplace. Be social with your colleagues. Set aside petty rivalries. Remember, you’re all on the same team. Be nice. People don’t forget it. Not only will this attitude create a more enjoyable and comfortable working environment, but also, will potentially open doors for you down the road professionally.

5. Create a Minimal-Stress Schedule

Plan ahead. Construct a list of objectives for the day and make sure you achieve them. Go at your own pace. Don’t be a slacker, but be realistic. You know yourself and your work habits. Prioritize important projects and avoid lingering on small tasks and trivial details. If you get stuck, move on. When you fulfill all your goals for the day, go back and perfect them. Always stash your cellphone and other distractions in your desk drawer. Aim to be your most productive self!

6. Take Breaks

Working diligently throughout the day takes a major toll on your mind and body. Leave room in your schedule for a mental break. Rise from your chair regularly. Find excuses to walk around. Refill your water bottle, break up your printing and copying tasks to retrieve your work sporadically throughout the day, or simply take a quick lap. Find a quiet room to be alone for a few minutes. Clear your mind. Get outside and stretch your legs. Enjoy a short walk in the fresh air. Absorb the sunshine. Briefly close your eyes and breathe. Listen to a soothing tune or calm ocean sounds—whatever transports you to your happy place.

7. Ask for Help/Lend a Hand

We all run into obstacles at work. It’s okay to ask for help. Rather than a sign of weakness, asking thoughtful questions is actually a chance to better yourself (and yet another opportunity to be social with colleagues). Be open- minded. Accept constructive criticism. Try to see things another way, and schedule regular brainstorming exercises. Conversely, always be willing to offer guidance and helpful advice to others. This back and forth process of sharing and swapping ideas will fuel creativity and teamwork in the office.

04 Mar

Posted at 12:51h in Cubicle and Office Fun, Office and Cubicle Resources
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4 Simple Steps To a Relaxed Cubicle Environment

So, you’re moving into a new workspace or looking to revamp your already worn-in cubicle. Why not take this time to include simple changes, like personalizing your cubicle, to create a relaxing office environment. Spicing up your surroundings can have a great emotional impact, fueling a positive working environment; while, lifting your spirit throughout the day. Get started with these simple steps.

Step 1: Organize and Prioritize
You want to make the most of your cubicle. Clutter is the enemy. Keeping this in mind, first make a list of essential supplies (pens, sticky notes, paper clips etc). Once you’ve sifted out dispensable items, organize! Sort materials into drawers or containers (color coordination always helps). Don’t leave miscellaneous items flailing about.

Step 2: Decorate and Customize
Have fun with it. This is your space to express yourself. Feel free to display important mementos, such as family pictures or sports team schedules. It’s always nice to exhibit pride in your university emblem or favorite sports team logo.

Step 3: Encourage Healthy Habits
What you store in your cubicle matters. Always have a water bottle, and refill regularly. It’s no secret that hydration is key to a productive day at the office. Leave the candy behind and supplement with energy infused items, such as fruit and nuts to snack on throughout the day. Don’t overdose on caffeine. Replace your afternoon coffee run with a cup of tea to reboot and energize.

Step 4: Be a Good Neighbor!
Don’t be the one that every employee complains about. A friendly environment contributes to a a relaxed, yet professional atmosphere, triggering the flow of collaborative ideas and innovation.

12 Jan

Posted at 02:05h in Cubicle and Office Fun, Healthy Office Lifestyle
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5 Habits for Maintaining a Healthy Office Lifestyle

If you are like most office workers, this is the first month of the “I’m going to be healthier next year” resolution effort or “Time to get back on track!” game plan. From our experience, January can be one of the toughest months to stay motivated. Unfortunately, reverting back to bad habits at work is many times the cause for the wheels to fall off.

We wanted to offer some basic but effective ways that you can stay motivated and stick to your goals. Rather than trying to develop and share crazy, unrealistic ideas for staying healthy in the office, we decided to poll our own office staff – as well as some of our customers’ teams – to learn about some simple, practical approaches.

Give these a try, and let us know how they work out for you. In the meantime, do you have advice for maintaining a healthy office lifestyle? If so, tell us your secrets below!

1. Pack Your Lunch – After You Eat Dinner

Portion control is key to any diet. While health and fitness experts may disagree about whether to eat six smaller meals instead of three large meals per day, everyone agrees that managing your portions is crucial.

A few people we talked to found success packing their lunch after dinner the previous night. The theory? It is like going to the grocery store when you are hungry: Expect a high bill, because everything looks delicious. If you pack your lunch after you have eaten and are satisfied, it is easier to plan out your meals and think about smaller portions.

2. Bring a Cooler to Work

This is a very simple concept: Bring a cooler packed with all the food you have planned to eat during the day, and then only eat what’s in your cooler. Period.

Someone has a smorgasbord of leftover holiday candy that they are trying to pawn off? Politely decline. It’s someone’s birthday? Be that guy or girl – wish them happy b-day and many more, and pass on the cake.

Bringing a cooler also allows you to eat healthy snacks that are meant to be chilled whenever you want while simultaneously avoiding the crowded, funky-smelling office refrigerator.

3. Be Active, and Plan to Be Active

There are little things you can do throughout the day to be more active and burn more calories. These include taking the stairs when possible to meetings or parking a little further away from your office building’s front door.

However, many people are actually planning to be more active, as more and more reports are being published about the dangers of sitting all day at work.

One way you can maintain an active office lifestyle is to block your time to include taking “walk breaks” throughout the workday. You can also try to stand while on conference calls or when talking on the phone to break up lengthy times you are sitting. Being conscious about these elements can help you plan better to be active.

4. Stretch to Beat Stress

Daily stretching has various benefits, and battling stress is one of the major ones. Stress can cause us to be in a bad mood, tightens our muscles, and challenges our immune system. And let’s face it – stress and work go hand in hand.

Taking time to stretch 3 times a day for 10 minutes can do wonders for our bodies. Since it is an exercise, stretching boosts endorphin levels, which helps us feel better in general.

So rather than throwing your keyboard or screaming at your co-workers, take a deep breath, stretch your body, and let the anger melt away.

5. Drink. Water. All. Day.

It’s no secret: Drinking water is crucial to our health. You have heard the old recommendation, “drink 8 glasses a day.” We started to wonder…why is this so difficult?

Answers we received included “it’s just boring”; “it’s annoying to keep filling up bottles”; and “there’s no taste”. Imagine that! (Adding fruit to your water can be helpful, we have found.)

Like any routine, it takes time to get in a groove. So start by trying to knock back a bottle every hour or two. Your body will thank you for it!