Do you find yourself de-motivated, forever wishing you were anywhere else but the office? Chances are that you are probably bored, facing a slump, there’s no more joy at work. You are not alone. And there’s proof: a survey by Jobcentral.com.sg revealed that one out of every five (18.3 per cent) Singapore workers has admitted to faking an illness just to shun work. Stress, long working hours, general career slump can do that to you sometimes, and it can show on you health, well being, even relationships.
Try these easy tips to keep your workplace as stress-less a zone as possible.
The smell of citrus has been proven to not only lift spirits but improve your memory. Keep a small essential oil diffuser on your desk and burn some essential oil such as The Citrus Accord Trio, $67, from Mmerci Encore. Sniffing on an orange or lemon a few times day should do the trick just as well.
Hit the pavemant – go for a short run, or brisk walk. Get some fresh air during your lunch break. Research has it that it’s a surefire way to boost endorphins, so you will return to work happier, calmer and not to mention, energised.
Can’t sneak an outside workout in, no sweat. Keep small exercise props such as hand weights, resistance bands and such under your desk and take short 10-minute exercise breaks during the day. Or learn some chair yoga poses to stretch your stress away.
Being in touch with nature at work can be a great way to inspire creativity and improve productivity. You can either keep a small pot on your desk or add a tall floor plant such as Dracaena and place it in a spot where it is clearly visible to you.
Find your inner zen. A few minutes of meditation can do wonders to improve your clarity, sense of well-being and productivity. Just closing your eyes and focusing on your breathing for a few minutes will do the trick. Or use a meditation app such as Calm – which focuses on to newbies tFor newbies unfamiliar with concept of mindfulness, Calm, which focuses on specific goals such as calming anxiety and self-esteem among others, and is perfect for newbies.
It can work wonders for your brain power. tea is known to have less caffeine than coffee and contains an amino acid that helps improve brain function. Plus, there are also the added aromatherapy benefits of lavender and peppermint tea – they help boost your energy levels.
Studies have show that bland grey, beige and white offices provoke feelings of sadness, while green and blue improve efficiency and focus. Asking your boss to redecorate would be a stretch – but if there’s an upcoming makeover, you should speak up and make some suggestions.
Starting small and adding these colours to your workspace will not only give you that sense of ownership but boost your focus.
Research has proven that working alongside your furry friend lowers stress levels. Employees who were allowed to bring their pet to work showed higher levels of job satisfaction, and had a more positive outlook towards their bosses. There’s already a National Bring Your Dog To Work Day in the UK. This may not be catching on as much in Singapore, but a lot of smaller, boutique companies are inculcating the habit. So, don’t lose hope.
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TEXT: Sandhya Mahadevan / Additional reporting: Bauersyndication.com.au / Photos: 123RF