Whether you work at an office or work from home, improving health is one of 2018’s top trending topics for entrepreneurs. As an active small business with far too many tasks on the to-do list, personal health can often take a backseat to deadlines & meetings. While you may not be able to spend two hours a day working out or taking that yoga class your friend keeps asking you to join, there are plenty of simple ways you can make your workspace healthier.
Dueling Screens
If you’re working in 2018, chances are you’re using a computer. Not only that, you’re probably working on your computer an average of seven hours each work day. (https://www.onmsft.com/news/microsoft-us-workers-spend-7-hours-computer-day-average) Add in time spent checking Facebook from your phone or watching the nightly news and you probably spend more time on the computer than you do sleeping! Promoting a health-friendly work zone can be as simple as adding a second monitor to your computer display. You can significantly reduce eye and neck strain by adding a second, or in some cases, third, monitor. At Triad Marketing Solutions we’ve found that using a minimum of two monitors increases task efficiency and the overall productivity of each day. You can find monitors in just about any price range here: https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_1_16?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=computer+monitors
Stepping Up
By 2018 you’ve probably heard something along the lines of sitting being the new smoking. (https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/expert-answers/sitting/faq-20058005) While standing might seem like the logical answer, experts are strangely divided on the issue. Whether you choose to sit or stand for most of your workday, it’s important to allow yourself options. That’s why we recommend using a standing desk or cart. A standing desk doesn’t have to be fancy and expensive. You can buy adjustable laptop desks for as low as $40.00 at stores like Amazon or Bed Bath and Beyond. Pairing your desk with a stool offers you the flexibility to sit or stand as often as you’d like. You can even build your own standing desk with some wood or cardboard boxes. Show off your inner artist and let your creativity flow! The possibilities are endless.
Give me a break
You might be surprised to hear your boss telling you to sleep on the job but in 2018, that’s exactly what companies like Google & Proctor & Gamble are saying (https://www.today.com/money/nap-rooms-encourage-sleeping-job-boost-productivity-1C8881304). Taking short, twenty-minute breaks may be all you need to increase productivity. These mini-vacations aren’t only good for your eyes, they’re good for your emotional health, too. Sleeping on the job not your thing? Taking short breaks of any variety can boost work productivity and improve your overall mood. Take a few moments to step away from your desk and get a couple extra steps. Have lunch outside of the office to give your brain a change of scenery.
Brain Dump
One of our favorite mental health-friendly productivity boosters is doing a regular brain dump. This is when you catch all those little thoughts flying around your busy brain and jot them down on a piece of paper. Periodically making lists is an excellent way to keep your mind clear of nagging responsibilities. Listing tasks allows you the freedom to focus on one project at a time, giving each your full attention & enthusiasm. You can make lists using an old-fashioned pen and paper or upgrade to keeping lists on your phone or computer. Apps like Asana (https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2408011,00.asp) and Google Keep (https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2416950,00.asp) use monitoring software to effortlessly track your tasks and projects from a user-friendly interface that’s easy to learn.
Go Green
Trendy Pinterest pictures aside, having an indoor office plant is surprisingly beneficial to your health. (https://www.proflowers.com/blog/office-plants) While some plants are better kept outside, there are plenty of indoor plants that are not only aesthetically pleasing but health-friendly too. Plants like the Peace Lilly, English Ivy, and Aloe work hard to purify the air. The Spider plant and Snake plant remove air-borne toxins and require little to no maintenance. (https://dengarden.com/gardening/Best-Indoor-Office-Plants-Low-Light-and-Low-Maintenance) Adding a few plants to your office or workspace are easy ways to spruce things up, clean the air, and even increase productivity.
Breathe Deep
As human beings, we attach scents with memories and are drawn to smells that invoke a feeling and emotion. We can tap into this familiar experience by using essential oils. Oils like lemon and rosemary have clarifying properties and their invigorating scents are the perfect morning perk. (https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/224575) Popular brands like doTERRA, Plant Therapy, and Young Living offer powerful, therapeutic-grade essential oils for just about any ailment. Whether you want to add a little zip to you step on a rainy day or increase productivity during a particularly stressful week, essential oils (https://www.doterra.com/US/en/brochures-magazines-doterra-living-spring-2014-office-make-over ) might be exactly what you are looking for. Sprinkle a few drops of oil onto cotton balls and tuck them between books or boxes for a quick pick-me-up. Alternatively, you can invest a little cash into an essential oil diffuser. https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_7?url=search-alias%3Dhpc&field-keywords=essential+oil+diffuser&sprefix=essenti%2Chpc%2C146&crid=D5UCYVQM7TMB.
Shake it Out
Finally, don’t forget to stretch. As entrepreneurs we can quickly lose track of how many hours we’ve been sitting or staring at a screen but it’s absolutely vital to change positions and stretch throughout the day. If you’re having a hard time remembering to stand or move around, apps like Move and Stand Up! (https://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/wellness/activity_and_break_apps) will send alerts right to your phone. Don’t have time to move? If you’re busy working on a project or had a recent spark of inspiration, you don’t have to drop everything and lose your momentum. You can easily do stretches from your desk while you’re working. (https://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/features/stretching-exercises-at-your-desk-12-simple-tips#2) A simple movement like shrugging your shoulders helps relieve tension from your neck, a primary culprit for chronic pain in computer users.
Promoting a healthy work environment is one of the best investments you’ll make in 2018. Whether you’re ready to give your workspace a complete overhaul or can only make one or two adjustments, making your workspace healthier has never been easier. At Triad Marketing Solutions we can help you become more productive. Learn more here (https://triadmarketingsolutions.com/services/) or give us a contact us at info@triadmarketingsolutions.com / (734) 273-9301.
