5 Workplace Health Tips You Need to Boost Productivity

Do you want the ideal job? Well, you need to look for more than just salary, work/life balance, and culture. Working for the ideal company also means selecting a place where you can stay healthy both in mind and body. These workplace health tips will guide you towards a more positive experience wherever you land.

Before we begin, it’s important to measure the level of stress you’re under right now. When you understand this level, you’ll better appreciate the contents of this article. Use this infographic from Pound Place to better gauge your stress level, and then we’ll begin.

1) Standing vs. sitting

You’ve probably heard about the standing desk trend where people elevate their desk and work while standing. There are many benefits to standing at work, and it’s for good reason that this trend is on the rise in the workplace. There are studies out there that emphasize the need to stand up often. The focus is that excessive sitting can have physiological consequences.

If you’re not able to invest in a standing desk or commit to frequent, 20-minute breaks, you have options. Sometimes, all it takes is a stretch or two. Take advantage of this handy infographic that shows you various stretches you can do while at your desk. Give them a try at every chance you get to help prevent damage to your body from sitting in the same position for too long.

The more you get up and / or stretch, the less stress you put on your body. The less physical stress, the less mental strain from discomfort. A backache can be distracting, and a chronic injury can make work even harder to do.

After getting settled in your new job and demonstrating your skill and commitment, ask your manager about purchasing or building a standing desk for your space. Depending on the environment in which you work, find the right time to bring this up with your manager. Until then, remember to do your stretches.

2) Socialization

Beyond your physical health, you should also be concerned about your mental health. Negative emotions work against you and your productivity, so it’s essential you focus on enhancing the positive. One way to do this is to communicate (or socialize) with your coworkers on a daily basis.

At times when others are on a break, such as lunchtime, you have an opportunity to talk with them on a personal level. Don’t talk about work or even anything negative. It’s important you take this time as an opportunity to boost your mood, not bring it down.

Whether you’re an extrovert or not, you can still make small talk with your coworkers. These are just a few ideas to help get you talking:

• Ask open-ended questions (and listen to their answers)
• Talk about current events (but steer clear of anything potentially controversial)
• Express your passion for something (and ask them for theirs)

It may seem too simple, but initiating or participating in small talk with your coworkers can improve your workplace health and wellness considerably.

3) Breaks outside

What is considered a break? It’s not enough to just take “breaks” as we’ve typically known them. You shouldn’t just play with your phone at your desk or walk around the office. Weather permitting, you should also take at least one break outside every workday.

When you take a break outside, you’re going beyond stretching your legs. You’re also:

• Getting fresh air
• Refreshing your mind
• Getting away from the stress of the office

Fresh air rejuvenates your mind. Making the effort to walk out the door gives your body time to stretch, which is especially important if you’ve been sitting at your desk for a long time.

4) Pomodoro Technique

When you’re at your desk working, you need to know when you’ve been working for a while and when it’s time to take a break. The Pomodoro Technique is an effective way to keep track of your timing.

Although paid options offer more features, you don’t have to invest money in order to use this technique. There’s one website you can use while working that will notify you every 25 minutes that it’s time to get up. It’s called Tomato Timer.

You can also find various apps and browser extensions that use this technique, but the point is that you should reserve time for power working and time for breaks. During the 25 minutes of working, focus solely on the task at hand. Don’t allow any distractions. When time is up, take a timed break before returning to that task. In Pomodoro, breaks can either be short (5 minutes) or long (10 minutes).

The Pomodoro Technique has been widely used because it focuses on keeping you healthy both in mind and body. When used correctly, it can help you feel better about your work, especially when you feel more accomplished. Give this technique a try to see if it helps you.

5) Desk environment

You’re dedicating at least 8 hours a day at your desk every weekday. It’s the one place at work that you likely spend the most time, so it needs to be a constructive, inspiring, and ergonomic space. Without these things, you’re potentially setting yourself up for delays.

The ideal desk environment is one of the most important workplace health tips out there, but it’s often the most neglected. When you’re at your desk, you need to be able to focus on your work and not get overly stressed. You’re supposed to feel good physically and mentally, and the best way to create this healthy environment is to organize your desk space well.

These are just a small handful of ways you can make your desk a sanctuary for workplace health and wellness:

• Real plants for an extra supply of oxygen
• Desk positioned near a window (when possible) for natural sunlight and fresh air
• Ergonomic supplies, including your chair, mouse pad, and keyboard
• A standing desk for when you’ve been sitting for too long (great for your physical health)

So, what are you going to do first? The most important step that job seekers can take is to hold onto this information until you reach your next placement.

How do you find the workplace that’s right for you? How do you find one that’ll allow you to apply these 5 workplace health tips?

Contact us today and we’ll take care of you by taking the stress of the job search off your shoulders. Submit your resume today.