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Five Tips For Bringing Wellness Into Any Workplace
You’ve probably read about them: workplaces that are totally geared toward employee wellness. They’re bright, airy, open-plan offices without cubicles but with comfy lounge chairs, meditation rooms, standing desks, treadmill workstations, and pantries with all sorts of healthy snacks. Some employers even provide weekly chair massages and yoga classes.
However, if your office is more conventional, don’t despair. The following five tips can help you bring wellness into your own workplace without having to rely on your employer.
- Place some plants in your cubicle. Plants can have a significant impact on your wellness. They help purify air, and they add a splash of calming color to your workplace. In her article “8 Cubicle-Friendly Plants to Green Your Workspace” for SaveOnEnergy, Brittany Williams advises that ferns and bamboo plants can thrive in cubicles—even those that don’t get much (or any) natural light.
- Listen to relaxing music. Music can improve the levels of dopamine in your brain. This makes you more positive, which in turn can improve productivity and creativity. Create a range of different playlists, such as upbeat tunes and slow, soothing songs. Use your headphones to listen to your music without interrupting your colleagues.
- Find a quiet spot for guided meditation. You don’t need a meditation room to meditate. All you need is a quiet spot where you won’t be disturbed such as a quiet corner of the break room, your own desk, or even your car. Get a meditation app such as Headspace or Calm to help you meditate for a short period of time during your lunchbreak. Just close your eyes and follow the prompts, and you’ll be mentally refreshed when you return to work.
- Get up and move. If you habitually feel yourself getting mentally and physically exhausted after a few hours of work, one of the best ways to re-energize is to go for a brisk walk or even a short run during your lunchbreak.
- Go to a yoga class before or after work. No yoga at the office? No problem! Just get up an hour earlier and go to a yoga class before work. After a few minutes of downward dog, you’ll feel yourself becoming calm and focused in preparation for your day. Alternatively, you can do a class after work to release all the tension of the day. If you can’t find a yoga studio close to you, try an online class with Daily Burn, or use a yoga app so you can practice at home.
In addition to these tips, always remember the basics of wellness: Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, eat healthy snacks throughout the day to stay energized, and learn how to set boundaries so you don’t become upset, stressed, or overworked.
Sources:
https://www.saveonenergy.com/energy-saving-tips/8-cubicle-friendly-plants-to-green-your-workspace/
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/12/jobs/how-music-can-improve-worker-productivity-workstation.html
