New year, new you. It’s common to focus the first few months of the calendar year toward improving one’s physical and mental health, but those resolutions rarely extend toward introducing positive habits in the office. Even though January 1st has already passed, it’s never too late to start practising better productivity. After all, exercising healthy habits makes you happier anywhere you implement them!
Read on to hear about the top 5 positive office habits you should add to your routine in 2020!
Be Computer Smart
In this day and age, it’s rare to find an office without computers. Spending a majority of the workday in front of the soft glow of a screen has become so commonplace that we can easily forget how computer-use can affect our posture and muscles.
To ensure you keep good posture, frequently keep an eye on your seating position. It’s been suggested that crossing your legs leads to bad posture, and has negative effects on the pelvis, back and hips.
Instead, your legs should be uncrossed with your feet flat on the floor. Support your lower back and maintain a gap between your seat and upper back, with your arms relaxed and at a right angle to the desk. Additionally, try to prevent slouching and you’ll be on your way to having better posture!
Our bodies weren’t designed to sit all day, as sitting for long periods can lead to weakened muscles. To address this issue at work, take a few moments to get up from your chair and stretch. Not only will this prevent posture problems, but you’ll feel good, too!
Limit Distractions
Distractions in the workplace are inevitable. There are either impromptu conversations, the printer noisily producing an abundance of papers, someone taking a call, or all three of these distractions combined!
Then there’s the non-work related distractions. These distractions include social media, online blogs and Greg from accounting beguiling the water cooler crowd with his tales from the weekend. Spending too much time on these activities instead of your work can add up, and take away a significant focus from what you need to get done.
To be successful in your career, you should limit distractions when possible. If you’re looking for solutions to combat the noise level in the office, try investing in a pair of noise cancelling earbuds or earphones. However, a pair of earplugs could work just as well at a lower cost. As for limiting time spent on social media and office chatter, set a time limit on these activities to keep you recharged – yet keep you on track and focused on your work.
Our noise dampening Loop Booths also offer a reprieve from office distractions. The Loop Solo and QS models come fully assembled, so your office can receive privacy the instant it arrives at your office door. Loop Phone Booths are the perfect place to take a private phone call, find your focus or simply take a moment to breath – which leads us to our next tip!
Breathe
Breathing is indeed automatic, but sometimes we can forget to breathe – especially when we’re under stress or working under a time crunch. There are also instances when we don’t breathe properly because of the pressure we’re under. Both of these situations aren’t good for our health or our work.
In times of high stress, one of the best ways to calm your mind and body is to be conscious of your breathing. By concentrating on your breath, you’re able to control your breathing better by slowing down and taking deep breaths.
An easy breathing technique to add into your everyday schedule is to take some time to listen to your breathing. After you’re aware of your breathing, deepen your breaths as you exhale. By deepening your breathing, you’ll also find that your breathing will slow down. As you do this, your body and mind will become more relaxed.
Healthy Snacks (mostly)
There’s probably junk food and unhealthy eats lying around somewhere in your office, and they can be a tempting solution for a snack during those hungry times in need (or, let’s face it, when we’re bored – because who doesn’t like snacking?). However, if you find that you’re snacking a little too often on food that satisfies your cravings instead of nourishing your body, it’s probably time to rethink what you’re eating.
Time and time again, it’s been proven that sugary snacks and drinks give us a sugar high followed by a sugar crash. These sugar crashes don’t just make us feel unwell, but also reduce our ability to be efficient. In addition, snacking on these unhealthy foods can lead to weight gain.
So, what can you replace with the junk you’re feeding your body? Our healthy snack picks include easy-to-eat fruit like bananas, apples, and mandarin oranges; and vegetables like baby carrots, cucumbers, and celery with an optional hummus dip. Instead of soft drinks and sugary juices, replace them with water to keep your body hydrated and healthy.
Get Moving
Sitting in a chair all day with little-to-no movement can be detrimental to your health and wellbeing. Thus, it’s no surprise that many modern offices have a gym as a part of their office amenities. However, if your office doesn’t have its own gym, there are other ways you can add some movement into your sedentary work life.
Taking a walk at lunch after your meal is an excellent way to get moving. Even if it’s as short as five minutes, a brisk walk outside can be enough to get your blood flowing and boost endorphins. Plus, you’ll be able to soak in some vitamin D and return to your workspace with a more positive outlook on your tasks.
Start your day right by opting for the stairs instead of the elevator when you arrive at your workplace. This will get your heart pumping first thing, and keep you more alert. Furthermore, using the stairs to attend meetings on other floors can burn off extra calories throughout the day.
Benefits of Positive Office Habits
There you have it! The top five office habits we’d suggest introducing in 2020 to help you find your focus, and make the most of your work day. Start by adding one or two of these practices to your office life and experience the benefits yourself! Which habit will you start with?