The average person spends 90,000 hours of their life at work. Yet over 50% of the workforce reports feeling stressed out, burned out and unhappy with their day-to-day. The good news is, there are some really easy steps you can take to increase your day-to-day happiness at work. So, instead of reaching for another coffee or the office biscuit jar for a temporary boost, try these proven methods for increasing your happiness at work:
1. Tap into feelings of gratitude
Even if you don’t love your job, it’s important to identify the positives of what you are doing every day and be grateful for the opportunities and resources that you receive. This can be achieved by journaling: take a few moments out of your day to make a list of the things you are grateful for. It could be free coffee or your favourite co-worker who always puts a smile on your face. Jot them down in a journal and at the end of each day/week/month, you can review and appreciate all the great things you’ve got going on at work.
2. Bring in nature
We are biological creatures, so we are deeply affected by our access (or lack of access) to the natural world. Try bringing elements of the outdoors in: get some flowers or indoor plants to add some life to your space. Or if that’s a little too much responsibility then get a cactus which doesn’t need much looking after – and then maybe work on your responsibility skills.
Check out this office space filled with natural light and thousands of plants and trees.
3. Get active in your lunch break
If you are struggling to bring the outside in, then why not go outside during your lunch break. Whether you manage to squeeze in an exercise class or you just go for a short stroll, exercising and getting outside can help increase your creativity and boost your thinking power.
Check out more top tips for staying healthy at work.
4. Be positive and friendly towards your co-workers
Forming positive relationships at work and engaging with those people throughout the day is a great way to make work feel less like work. Finding time to catch up with colleagues can break up your day and if you’re having a bad day, there’s nothing that your favourite co-worker can’t fix.
5. Declutter your desk
Tidy desk, tidy mind. Taking the time to clear surfaces, organise drawers and throw away rubbish can turn a stressful workplace into a calm haven. This doesn’t need to take hours of effort – a few minutes at the end of each day is easily long enough. For more inspiration on how to create a calm working environment, check out our blog.
Arrange your space so you are comfortable: make sure your monitor is at eye height, and you are square to it (this is important for good posture). And if you’re feeling really ambitious, you could tidy up your desktop and emails.
6. Decorate your space
It might be an obvious one, but fill your desk with photos of friends and family. It makes going to the office more like being at home, which does wonders for your comfort levels and thus your productivity.
Lighten the mood with a funky desk lamp. Getting the right lighting is really important for productivity and efficiency. You could also upgrade your stationary – Post–It Notes, pens, drawing pins and staplers don’t need to be boring.
Check out our blog for more ideas on how to decorate your space to increase happiness and maximise productivity.
7. Read your fan mail
Create a folder of messages and emails that you have received from people thanking you for something you have helped them with. If you are feeling low or lacking motivation, read through these messages for a reminder of how awesome you are.
8. Snack on healthy food
Switch your chocolate snacks for healthy foods: fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds will help to regulate energy, help you stay full (thanks fibre), and ensure that you’re getting all the vitamins you need.
9. Play uplifting music
It has been proven that there is a direct link between listening to music and the release of dopamine. So, if you are feeling down at work, put on your favourite playlist and block out the background noise.
10. Find meaning in your work
Whilst finding meaning in your role will require slightly more effort than putting on your favourite playlist, it can be the key to feeling happy and fulfilled at work. Try to look at the bigger picture, this could lead to greater satisfaction and a sense of purpose in your job. If you can’t find any meaning in what you’re doing, then it might be time to look for a new job.
So there are our ten top tips for boosting happiness and health at work. Whilst the list isn’t conclusive, it’s a good start. So if you or one of your colleagues needs a boost, share this with them and spread the love.
