5 Ways to make your office space Healthier and Happier
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Your employees are your most vital asset. It is key your teams are happy and healthy so they can operate at the highest levels.
Where you sit, how you sit and what you sit on at work can impact on your body and well-being. Wherever you work from or how you work, your working area may not be ideal for your health or efficiency. Follow these 5 tips to improve your productivity and overall happiness at work..
- Make use colours that stimulate productivity and pleasure.
Make use of the positive effects of colours in your workspace by selecting different colors to help reinforce specific frames of mind. For example if you are restless when working then paint the walls of your office blue, yellow or green which all have calming properties. If you work in a booth or if painting is not an option, you can still apply these colours to furnish and decorate your area for maximum comfort and efficiency.
- Plan your working space correctly
Employees that feel congested or enclosed can feel pressure and anxiety that affects their performance at work. Follow these subsequent rules to stop employees feeling confined at work.
Offices or rooms with high ceilings or mirrors and that have the correct lighting and brightness are looked upon as feeling less congested.
By using furniture correctly, plants, pictures, features, windows and pillars, an office can seem less crowded.
By installing windows and mirrors and decorating thoughtfully, you can turn a small cramped looking room into an open and uncluttered area.
- Use nature and art.
Having plants and other features in an office lowers stress levels, reduces fatigue and increases production. By utilizing items such as pictures, paintings, sculptures and other art pieces, will brighten up a room. The use of flowers can be a very effective way of getting colour and nature into an area.
- Ergonomics? What’s ergonomics?
Ergonomics is the science of human engineering & how humans relate to their job & work environment. The design of your office and workstation has a huge impact on your overall health & well-being, which is why ergonomic accessories & furniture are so important for businesses.
We have compiled a few easy steps to guide you through improving the ergonomics of your office workstation.
- Use an ergonomic monitor arm to centre your monitor directly in front of you
- Your monitor should be 2-3 inches above eye level (your eyes level with top 1/3 of screen)
- Sit at least an arm’s length away from the screen
- Position the keyboard at the same height as your elbows
- Position source documents in front of you between the monitor & the keyboard using a document stand
- Use an ergonomically designed office chair so you can adjust the seat height so your feet are flat on the floor
- Adjust the chair so your knees should be equal to, or slightly lower, than your hips
- Place your feet firmly on the floor or on a footrest
- An ergonomic office chair will allow you to adjust the back to a 100 or 110 degree reclined angle
- Your chair needs lumbar support for your upper & lower back
- Choose a purpose designed working office chair so you can adjust or remove arm rests
- Place your telephone within easy reach or use telephone headsets & speaker phone where possible
Now you can start to improve the ergonomics of your own workstation or the workstations of your company’s offices to avoid lower back strain, circulation loss, or repetitive strain injury.
Investing in the correct furniture, seating, monitors and equipment will make your workspace more ergonomic which will lead to healthier and happier employees.
- Keep your cool.
Temperature and air quality are extremely important in keeping your employees happy and healthy.
By installing an air conditioning system your employees can enjoy the following benefits:
- Improved wellbeing of personnel
- Controllable temperature to a comfortable setting
- Quiet operation
- Clean air
- Energy efficient systems
- Appropriate heat level when required