Prioritising a healthy work-life balance is extremely important. Especially in this day and age, when it is easy to forget about self-care, and where the 9 to 9 culture is promoted. Stress, conflict and exhaustion can take a toll on you, resulting in the notorious burn-out phenomenon. If you have to ask yourself if you’re in a healthy work environment, then you’re most probably not. Hence, here are 7 things you can do to create and prioritise a healthy work culture for you and your coworkers.
1. Establish Trust
Conflicts with those you work in a close space with are bound to happen. It is crucial to create a positive space around you and your team members so that coming to work doesn’t become an ordeal. Be more flexible and work towards building trust. However, make sure that you set boundaries between professional and personal interactions. While communication is key, make sure it is a healthy, open and both ways.
2. Walk Around
It is so common to get into the zone and forget about taking a break. Trust me; this happens to me all the time. You sit down to write a report and boom, three hours have passed, and you haven’t moved an inch. Doctors recommend taking breaks every 30 minutes to walk around and stretch. Go down to the deli nearby and grab a coffee or sandwich. That breath of fresh air will really rejuvenate you and help you work towards being more productive.
3. Design Your Workplace
Paint it green and add some photos! Anything that will add flair to a plain ol’ boring desk. Studies show that making your work desk a more homely one is directly correlated to higher levels of productivity.
4. Invest In A Desk Humidifier
I have long given up on the heating and A/C situation at my workplace, and I’m sure you have too. It could be that you are suffering from hypersensitivities, which are triggered by allergies to chemicals in paint, carpeting, furniture, etc. If you find yourself sneezing often (and only) at work, then consider buying a small desk humidifier to purify the air around you.
5. Hydrate
It is so vital that you drink lots of water (not only at work but also in general). Staying hydrated has a lot of perks, but the most important one is staying focused. Personally, I have a 750 ml sipper bottle that I finish completely twice during my 10-6 workday. After I go home, I down another 1 litre of water to reach an optimal of 2.5 litres a day.
6. Don’t Fret The Small Things
Okay, so someone stole your chair. The one that you placed a sticker on marking your territory. Starting a feud isn’t really going to help, is it? At the workplace, creating a harmonious and cordial environment is key. And one way you can go about doing that is letting go of the small stuff.
7. Listen To Your Heart
At the end of the day, despite all that’s said and done, if you’re miserable, then your heart will try to tell you this, every. single. day. Regardless of all your efforts, if you feel like this place isn’t for you, then take that bold step and move out. You’ll feel much lighter after.
Are there any other ways that you make your work environment healthy?
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