If you are working at your desk all morning, the tiniest aspects of your workspace, such as the location of your monitor, or the level of your chair can greatly affect your productivity as well as your overall health. Here’s what the science has to say about the best method to organize your workplace to maximize ergonomics and efficiency.
Your workplace shouldn’t drag you down all day long however, that’s exactly what uncomfortable desks, dirty chairs, and dim lighting can do, even although you may not be aware of the same issues day after day. By making a few changes but, you’ll be able to enhance your work environment and prevent your desk from destroying you.
What are the Most Important Elements of an Ideal Workspace
Don’t undervalue the impact that the environment you live in can impact your performance. One study by Herman Miller found that workplace design had “a small but consistent and real influence” on workers’ performance–increasing productivity as much as 16% and job satisfaction by 9%. Take a look at your desk layout in the five areas below to help you get more done throughout the day , with less effort.
Lighting
The quality of the lighting at work can impact your mood and well-being. Low lighting, be it dim or the harsh light from overhead fluorescent lighting – can cause eyestrain, stress and fatigue. However, the most effective type of light at work will be light from the sun.
Since 1979 researchers have recommended to take advantage of the natural sunlight and views can reduce anxiety, boost spirits and moods, lessen anxiety and increase concentration. In a study conducted in 2014 conducted by researchers from Northwestern Medicine and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign observed that those who had greater daylight exposure from windows in the office were more comfortable and slept longer during the late at night. They also had a tendency to engage in more physical activity than those who’s offices did not have windows.
Why is it crucial to regularly expose yourself to the sun? Sunlight aids in maintaining their internal “clocks” or circadian rhythms, which can affect our energy and sleep as also our brains’ release of serotonin. It’s a hormone that makes us be calm and focused.
If you are able to control the location of your office you should choose a space with windows to receive this benefit from the sun. If you’re not in control over the lighting in your workplace, and you’re not lucky enough to work close to a window (much less an office with a corner with windows) Try getting outdoors more often during breaks and then see if you are able to purchase a desk lamp that resembles daylight.
Another aspect to take into consideration when you’re deciding on lighting for your desk setup is the position of lighting sources. You need enough even lighting to work without squinting. However, you must be sure that the lighting doesn’t cause glare to your monitor. To avoid this, don’t place your back against the window unless it is possible to shade it, and avoid sitting in front of a window, as it can make reading on the screen difficult.
Plants
Do plants aid you in your job better? This may sound absurd however, having a few plants at work can boost the efficiency of your work and increase your happiness. Researchers have discovered that indoor plants reduce fatigue when working with attention-intensive tasks. Just having a window looking out at the greenery around you can help to relax and keeps us on track. If you’re not able to see the plants from your desk then you could be being left out of the chance to boost productivity by 15 percent according to psychologists at Exeter University.
Nature is great to you. But what happens if you’re not a natural in caring for plants? You don’t have to worry about it; we’re all in this same situation, and somehow, I’ve been able to keep the plant in good health. The trick is to buy an peace lily. The plant that is tolerant of sun needs only a little sun to thrive and you’ll need to water it once the soil is dry. However, the most appealing thing with this kind of plant is it can scold you to water it when it is in need by falling down horribly. Then, after you’ve soaked it, it perks to a new level. Reviving your plant each week could bring you a little but significant sense of satisfaction.
As with other species, peace lilies are excellent for cleaning the air, as per NASA and you will be able to be in a clean atmosphere and experience your productivity up in the process. Aloe and cacti are also low-maintenance plants to take into consideration. If you’re blessed with green fingers, however you can plant anything better for your workspace.
Temperature
In certain workplaces there are employees who constantly fight with each other over the temperature. If this is the case in your work surroundings, then here’s some data to help you win the fights once and for all. At the very least, when you feel cold. Cornell University researchers found that the increase in temperature of offices from 68 to 77 degree Fahreinheit (20deg to 25deg Celcius) Workers were able to reduce their typing errors by 44 percent and they could write 150 percent faster.
Maybe this is a factor in the reason that many people are less productive during the summertime. Could it be due to the cold air cooling?
Although the temperature test doesn’t take into account personal preferences Try experimenting with the temperature of your office in the event that you can, and observe what transpires. If you’re unable to regulate the temperature inside your workplace, you can always opt for option to “wear an oversized sweater” alternative or buying an air conditioner in case your workplace is getting too hot.
Sound
There are many good music tracks to work to There’s also noise. We often have to deal with the noise. In offices, particularly in open spaces, conversations of other employees and keyboard clicks may be constant distractions. When working at home, you could be battling the sound of your neighbour’s dog barking, loud landscapers or construction employees, and perhaps even the sounds of traffic coming through your front door. There are also notifications from your phone that interrupt your doing.
It’s difficult to block everything else out when working. A pair of good headphones that block out noise could be helpful. You can pair them with relaxing ambient music like Jazz and Rain and your favourite video soundtrack for games on YouTube or the Coffitivity’s background chatter that resembles a coffeehouse. This is a result of research that suggests that ambient noise may boost creativity.
Color
Color psychology is an interesting area of study. McDonald’s utilizes yellow and red because they’re energy-rich colors that increase our appetite (read to encourage us to take in many more nuggets of chicken). Starbucks employs green to create an atmosphere of calm (read that it will convince customers to unwind in the coffee shop). The colors you choose for your office could have a subtle effect on your work schedule.
A color psychology Angela Wright explains how colors influence us to feel, think and act:
Red is stimulating and warming the pulses of our bodies, and may be perceived as aggressive
Blue can trigger thought and help with communication and concentration, however some may see it as cold and unfeeling.
It is a stimulant and boosts spirits, however the wrong hue can cause you to feel anxious.
Green is a comforting and balancing color. However, it depending on how it’s utilized, it can be perceived as boring
Violet can be a great way to think, but excessive amounts of it can cause too much reflection
Orange can be stimulating and entertaining However, too much can be overwhelming.
Pink is relaxing, but too much of it can be draining
Gray is neutral psychologically, and it can be depressing, if the correct tone is chosen
Black is sophisticated and serious However, it can also be heavy.
White can give a greater sense of space, but it can also cause strain to look at
Brown is an ominous shade It is, however, more warm than black. It is solid and sturdy
Remember these meanings of color in mind when selecting the color of your office or even when you shop to buy desk supplies. Desk accessories that match will help you remain focused and not be being distracted from your desk.
