Staff spends around half of their waking lives in the office. And while that’s a necessary part of modern life for many people, it can take its toll. If the environment isn’t conducive to health, employees’ well-being will rapidly deteriorate, and you’ll have a productivity and sickness crisis on your hands.
Fortunately, there are several ways to fight back. Here’s what you need to do:
Tell Your Employees To Sit Less
Relatively few managers ever tell their employees to sit less because they think that having them chained to their desks maximizes productivity. But, of course, that’s not how the human body works. In fact, if people remain sedentary all day long, they are more prone to getting less done.
There are a couple of ways you can encourage less sitting. The first is to simply send an email round telling your employees to take a quick two-minute strolling break for every hour they are in the chair. Make them feel free to visit the water cooler or the bathroom.
The second option is to get your employees standing desks. This way, they can alternate between sitting and standing all day, working their muscles.
Clean Your Surfaces
Thanks to COVID-19 and, now, monkeypox, offices are potentially hazardous places to work. Having humans in such close contact with each other increases the risk of disease transmission.
Fortunately, commercial cleaning services can help. Professionals use advanced techniques to remove germs from your premises, leaving them sparkling clean.
Refresh The Air
Offices with a stuffy, polluted atmosphere are known to promote so-called occupations allergies, such as sensitivities to chemicals in office furniture, carpets and paint. Many workers can experience physical symptoms, particularly sluggishness and headaches.
You might not be able to do much about your furnishing, but installing a proper ventilation system in your premises can deal with 90 percent of issues, and your colleagues will notice. It can be a great way to get the best out of them.
Paint The Walls Green
Most offices have white or gray walls, primarily because these paints are cheaper than their more vibrant counterparts. However, walls of this color also make people feel like they are living and working in an artificial environment, which isn’t good for their well-being.
Try adding green to the office environment. Research shows that it makes people feel more relaxed and it could even boost creativity. Avoid red, though. It can hamper analytical skills and make people less productive.
Add Plants
In a similar vein, consider adding plants. Again, they are a way to inspire creativity, and they help to freshen the air, promoting a feeling of wellness, even among employees with dreadful lifestyles.
Choose green leafy plants instead of succulents and cacti as they tend to create a more relaxed vibe. Avoid flowers with strong scents, as these can be irritating and distracting for some workers.
Use Pleasant Aromas
Lastly, you might want to use aromas in your office to improve thinking and reduce stress. Rosemary, lavender, and eucalyptus are all great options.
