Our surroundings affect us more than we may realise. This also applies to our work - an inviting workspace will help you feel better and get things done.
This doesn't necessarily mean that you have to KonMari your entire workspace, though.
For some, a cluttered desk may indeed negatively affect their productivity. But for others, a little creative chaos may only fuel their inner fire. What's most important is that your workspace is designed to support your wellbeing in a way that works for you.
So, whether you're working from home or from the office, we've gathered our best tips on creating an oasis that will make your work flow like never before.
Jazz it up with green plants
There's no denying that nature has healing powers.
Starting from the ancient philosophy of feng shui, the positive effects of nature on our wellbeing are widely acknowledged. Science seems to agree: spending time out in the wild lowers our stress levels and boosts our mood.
It might not be possible to forest bathe middle of your workday, but you can always bring nature to you. And you should! Nature contact at the workplace has been shown to have a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of employees.
Indoor plants are a great way to start. Not only do they make your workspace more inviting, research suggests that they may help reduce stress. Place one plant on your desk or sprinkle them around your room. The more the better!
If you want to go all in, decorate your wall with a forest-themed wallpaper or hang up a few nice prints of that green gold.
Let the light in
If you would have to choose your No. 1 dream perk, what would it be?
According to 1,600 US employees, it's not a pool table or a gym, but sufficient natural light and views of the outdoors.
Natural light is crucial for our wellbeing and our office space is no exception. It may boost our productivity and improve our overall quality of life. Access to natural light also helps fight 'winter blues' during the darker months of the year.
If possible, place your desk in front of or close to the window. Exit the office or your home at least once during the workday to get a healthy dose of daylight. During winter, we suggest investing in a good-quality light therapy lamp.
Enjoy the sound of silence... or bird song
Distractions at work can be detrimental at worst. When you are being constantly interrupted, whether through email notifications or phone calls, it will take time for your brain to re-focus.
Creating an optimal soundscape is one way to control distractions and ensure peak performance.
If you're the kind of person who thrives in silence, you should make your work environment is as quiet as possible. Whenever you need to focus, close the door to your room if you have one. If you're working in a shared space, use noice-cancelling headphones. Don't forget to make sure that your notifications are muted!
We here at CWCO are huge fans of relaxing background sounds. It's just so meditative to listen to sounds that makes you deep-dive into a flow state. If you're interested, start with checking out our favourite playlists on Spotify: nature sounds, Tibetan singing bowls or hypnotic electronic beats, anyone?
Pro tip: suggest disturbance-free working hours at your workplace. During this time, no meetings are allowed and everyone is entitled to work without being interrupted. Even one afternoon a week can do wonders to the productivity of your team!
Get creative with colours and scents
Have you noticed that when you're wearing certain colours, your confidence goes through the roof? That's no coincidence.
Colours can affect the way we feel and act.
According to color psychology, different colours bear different meanings. For instance, green will help you feel more balanced and de-stressed, whereas red is the colour of power. Purple stands for innovativeness and a hint of mystery and yellow invigorates and yellow motivates and creates joy.
Naturally, you should listen to your gut when it comes to colour choices. Think of the colours that you love and pick one or two main colours that to feature in your workspace.
Think of the colours that you love and pick one or two main colours to feature in your workspace. You can buy a new lamp or hang up a painting in your colour of choice. You could even do a makeover and splash fresh paint all over your office space.
And it doesn't have to stop there. By using all of your senses, you will be able to create a harmonious and zen-like workspace. So place fresh flowers or a diffuser on your desk to lift up the spirit and your wellbeing a notch.
Need some inspiration? Try the luxury diffusers by our all-time favourite Jo Malone or this lovely pine-scented fragrance from Skandinavisk. Talking about hygge!
Keep your desk tidy
You may have heard the saying "A clear space equals a clear mind".
Studies indeed suggest that a tidy environment may positively affect your ability to process information and to be productive.
We suggest keeping your workspace clean and organised (or at least trying this approach before you decide otherwise). If it helps, schedule a weekly cleaning session. We love doing our little cleanup on Fridays, because it means that we have a clean desk waiting for us every Monday morning.
Try this 5-minute quick cleanup:
- Throw away all extra post-its and other papers that you no longer need
- Put all of your papers and notebooks in neat piles
- Organise your stationery - put your pens in a pen stand and post-its in a separate pile
- Wipe your desk with a damp cloth. Use your favourite cleaning agent to spread a lovely scent to your office.
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