Workplace Efficiency (page 2 of 2)

Still on offices themselves, a company must consider furnishings and equipment as well. Natural light is essential, and a decent amount of it should be present throughout the office. Harsh overhead electric lighting on the other hand can give you a headache, eyestrain and fatigue, but can be rectified by using filters or even lower indirect lighting. Look at the furniture around your office, what condition is it in? It really can make a difference you know, I know of incidences where individuals have taken jobs because they liked the look of the office, the new furnishings, the new PCs and so on. They are in fact willing to take a lower paid job as long as they know they will be happy and comfortable there.

Now being comfortable also means reducing audible distractions. Think how many times you've been sitting at your desk trying to concentrate on your work and wishing that you could have a bit more privacy and less office noise. You must ensure you have access to use a separate room, be it a meeting room or office, to get away from it all. In terms of the office structure itself, noise can be rectified by the use of acoustical panels fitted to absorb sound.

OK, so we know how important it is to be comfortable in your office surroundings and although this plays a huge part in how your day goes, there are more factors you need to consider. Having a healthy workplace also means having a healthy mental state of mind. Which brings me on to stress. Stress comes in two forms, physical and psychological, both of which if not addressed can manifest themselves in to musculoskeletal disorders and can result in tight, tense and aching muscles, back pain, exhaustion, high blood pressure and stomach ulcers. Emotionally, stress can cause many different symptoms such as irritability, anxiety, moodiness and lack of focus.

Overcoming stress and creating a healthier state of mind whilst at work can be overcome by various means. There are numerous organizations out there that offer stress management courses and relaxation courses that will enable you to focus on stress effects and eradicate them. One of the cheapest and most effective ways of overcoming stress is simply, breathing. Again there are various techniques that can be used but next time you feel stress coming on, take two slow breaths and you will find the second breathe has the relaxing effect. It's amazing how this can help. Then there is nutrition, what you eat during the day is just another factor directly related to stress. Careful planning of your daily dietary intake can reduce the levels of stress you are prone to and reduce fatigue, headaches and irritability. Ensuring you have breakfast and lunch dramatically increases energy levels and reduces stress. Overcoming stress will inevitably increase your efficiency and dramatically improve your work energy levels.

Another was to increase energy levels is a more obvious solution... rest. Ensuring you have the opportunity to rest and recharge your batteries is essential. In this day and age, a lot is expected from a days work and all to often we expect to be able to push our bodies to the limit, and do more than we actually can. Rest is vital, and taking it is not a sign of weakness but a sign that we are at our limit and just need time to relax and recharge. Finding a place that enables you to do this, such as the beach, somewhere you can walk away from and feel refreshed.

There are a number of different sources of information out there that can help you and your company become more effective. A simple search on the Internet will reveal a plethora of organization you can contact. In our drive and commitment to providing the best solutions and educating we established the Healthy Workplace Campaign to address such issues and express how with a little consideration, time and effort each and every employee could be leading a happier, healthier working life.