Have you seen our new office yet? There is so much open and bright space. The positive energy flows through each room and the effect this has had on our mood is noticeable. It’s important to remember that we spend almost half our waking lives at work, and if your surroundings are not therapeutic, they could have a detrimental impact on your health. Do you love your work environment? Do you want to improve your work atmosphere? Here are some tips to help you create a h
appy and healthy work space.

CLEAN THE AIR– Sensitivities to chemicals in carpet, office furniture and paint can cause headaches and rashes. Open windows if you can or get an air purifier with a HEPA filter.

TRY A STANDING DESK– Or at least sit less and move around more during the day. This will help ease back pain that occurs when you sit for long periods of time. If you must sit all day, try to sit up straight. Either way, keep your comput

er monitor at eye level and your arms bent at 90 degrees to reach the keyboard.

ADD A PLANT– Bringing nature into your office can be a great way to inspire creativity and a feeling of wellness.  Some plants such as Bamboo, Spider Plant and Boston Fern even improve the air quality.

USE NATURAL LIGHTING WHEN POSSIBLE– Sitting next to a window is ideal. Being exposed to daylight helps keep your stress levels down and your circadian rhythm in check. If a window is not an option, use your “moving around time” to catch a little sunlight. A desk lamp that you can turn on and off, rather than an overhead light can help reduce eyestrain.

PAINT IT GREEN– Shades of green have been linked to enhanced creative thinking, says Sally Augustin PhD, an environmental psychologist at Design With Science. Choose a quiet and calming hue like sage or sea-foam green. And while we’re talking about green, GO ENVIRONMENTALLY GREEN at your workplace. Eliminate waste in printing, buy environmentally friendly paper, use LED lamps, and use green cleaning products. We can’t forget that we are part of our environment, and the better care we take of the space that surrounds us, the healthier we will be.