7 Ways to Create a Quieter Workplace
While many people claim to thrive in high-stress environments, others work best in a place that is relaxing and calm. Changing your workplace may not be an option if it is a stressful position, but you can optimize your workplace to make it a more relaxing place to spend your time and get work done, which in turn lowers your stress levels and increases your productivity. The biggest key to creating a relaxing workplace is to design it in a way that makes you happy. If it feels right to you, then you are on the right track. With that in mind, here are my seven tips for a relaxing workplace:
Free yourself from the clutter
All those stacks of papers lying around on your desk not only make you look disorganized but also stressed and maybe even overwhelmed. While they don’t have to go in the bin, they should be sorted and organized in file folders inside your desk or somewhere else out of sight. Your desk should really only have papers that are directly related to your current task. If you do nothing else, do this. Many people will notice a dramatic improvement in their productivity once the clutter is removed.
Invest in a quality, comfortable chair
If you are tied to your desk, you want to be comfortable. If you are constantly fidgeting because you are not comfortable in your seat, you will be distracted and less attentive. Try asking your supervisor to get you a good chair, but if you can’t, you might want to get one yourself. Go to an office supply shop and try out all the chairs to find one you like. Don’t just take whatever is on sale or looks like it will be comfortable. Try it out before you buy it!
Get a small fan
In office buildings with recirculated air, it can get stuffy and musty. A small fan on your desk can help keep the air circulating in your work area. It’s also useful when it gets warm and the air temperature doesn’t quite meet your expectations. I know that I find it hard to concentrate when I breathe in stale or warm air and it affects my work. A fan really helps!
Add some noise
Working in a completely silent area can be quite distracting for some people, so adding a little noise can help. The type of ‘noise’ you want to add depends entirely on your taste. Some people might benefit from music, while others might enjoy the simplicity of a tabletop water fountain and the relaxing sound of running water. You may need to experiment with the type of music you listen to before you find one that suits you. Some music might be too distracting, so keep trying until you find something that helps you relax without distracting you.
Personalize your space
Would a stranger, looking at your workspace, be able to learn something about you? Does it not contain any personality? If so, you may need to spruce it up a bit to make it feel more at home. Family photos are a great personal item you’ll find on many people’s desks, but there are many other ways you can make your space your own. Swap out that boring desk calendar for one with a little more flair, get some colorful paper clips and a fun mouse pad, or hang your favorite comic on the wall.
Go green
By this, I don’t mean that you have to invest in biodegradable or recycled materials. I mean that you should add a little green to your workplace in the form of plants. Fake plants are not suitable, so don’t even bother with them. Instead, only take real, live, oxygen-producing plants. Not only will this solve the stale air problem, but it will also liven up space and make it more inviting.
Optimize your lighting
IT is it too bright or not bright enough? If you want to bring more light into your workspace, you can easily do that with a desk lamp. Making it darker can be more difficult if you don’t have your own office or don’t work from home, but if any of these situations apply to you and you feel more comfortable in the dark, you should definitely turn off the lights. If you work in a cubicle, you will probably have to put up with the lighting that is there.
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