Add Some Zen To Your Workspace

Working in an office, whether it's a home office or in the workplace, can make you feel like you're spending a good portion of your day in a shoebox. Several years ago, I worked in a call center for a large telecommunications company. As you would imagine, the entire building was filled with tiny cubicles, florescent lighting and no open windows. After six months or so, I began to realize that I was depressed. The lack of sunlight and space was getting to me. It effected my mood, my enthusiasm for the job and even my job performance.



Your desk is where you spend a good portion of your week, so you should look for ways to bring a little bit of Zen to it. Find ways to make your office a warm, relaxing place so that you can be as productive as possible.



Here are a few Zen tips:



Add some frames - Most people have a picture of their child or significant other hanging in their office, but why not try adding some framed pictures of things that make you feel inspired. For me, it's cityscapes, for others it could be trees or beaches. This way, when you're stressed or taking a few moments to gather your thoughts, you'll have something to look at makes you feel calm.



Bring in some life - The things about office buildings is that there isn't much life in them. The call center I worked in didn't have windows that opened, so there wasn't even fresh air to liven things up. To combat this problem, bring in some plants. Although real plants do require a little bit of care, there are many green plants that don't need daily watering. The live plants will give you a mood boost and, as if that wasn't enough, they produce oxygen, which can help stave off fatigue.



Make fresh flowers a habit - Fresh flowers just make me feel better. I try to make it a habit to keep flowers in my house and in my office. Just seeing them makes me smile. You don't have to wait for someone to send you flowers at work, instead, bring your own. Each Monday, bring a small bouquet of flowers to put on your desk. Once you get into the routine, Mondays won't be as awful.



Use music to set the mood - Some people find music to be calming and it helps them focus. If you're one of them, why not bring in some headphones and listen while you work? Of course, depending on your job or you office rules, this might not be possible. Personally, I only enjoy instrumental music while I work because music with lyrics is more of a distraction. Find what works for you and feel free to jam out.



Try some tea - Coffee is an office staple, but if you drink too much of it, you run the risk of feeling jittery and anxious. If a hot beverage is what you need, why not try a cup of tea? There are tons of herbal teas, some with caffeine and some without and a cup of tea can be very calming. Find a brew you like or experiment with different types at different time of the day. A mid-afternoon cup of tea can be a great way to de-stress.



What do you do to make your office relaxing? Please share your thoughts in the comments.