Did you know that your workspace can affect your mood and energy levels? You spend most of your day at work. So, the workspace has affected your mood and energy levels since the first day you step into that office.
Depending on how your moods and energy levels are affected, your workspace can either boost or hinder your engagement, creativity, productivity, health, and well-being. But which aspects of the office space matter, and how? Here’s what we found out after comprehensive research into the matter:
Ergonomics
One of the most important aspects of the workspace that can directly affect your mood and energy levels is ergonomics. Therefore, creating a workstation with an ergonomic chair and desk is essential. The chair, in particular, should have the following features.
- Adjustable seat height
- Seat width and depth adjustments
- Adjustable armrests with comfortable padding
- Adjustable backrest and lumbar support
- Seat padding that offers optimal support and comfort
- Recline and tilt tension adjustment
- Stable leg base
- High-quality upholstery
A supportive and comfortable office chair reduces discomfort and pain. This can help boost your morale and mood throughout the day.
Lighting
Too bright, too dim, too much glare. According to research, more than two-thirds of workers complain about lighting in their workspace. The lighting conditions can boost your well-being by enhancing your mood, energy levels, health, and productivity.
We all know how our energy and mood can change on a dark, stormy day versus on a bright, sunny day. The same reasoning applies to workspace lighting. Poor illumination can affect your motivation, happiness, and focus. This will, in turn, affect your overall performance. The way lighting affects your circadian rhythm can also affect your health.
Optimal indoor lighting can boost your performance. Besides, tuneable lighting provides options that can match your circadian rhythms.
Colour
The use of colour in the workspace may improve mood and energy levels. Plants, for example, use colours to communicate. Colours tend to have different reflecting effects. A colour theory may also relieve eye strain and boost mood.
The right colour choice may vividly alter the mood of the workspace. Research states that most office workers prefer cool colours like green and blue. Repainting the walls might boost your mood and make you more satisfied with your workspace.
Furthermore, indoor plants and artwork can add a personal touch to your workspace. Office plants are instrumental in reducing work-related stress.
Workplace Culture
It’s essential to have a unique workplace culture, whether you’re working from the office or at home. The employer can encourage a positive workplace culture for office-goers by adding the best pod coffee machine to the workspace. The same applies to those working from home.
Coffee breaks are great conversation starters. They can bring employees together in the workplace, promoting a positive workplace culture. Millennial workers are the largest group of people who bond during coffee breaks. Co-workers can easily interact with each other when pouring a cup of Joe from a capsule coffee machine. Not only will this help improve networking, but also efficiency and productivity.
Noise Level
Noise is one of the primary sources of frustration in the workspace. It includes everything from the chatter of other employees to outside noises filtering in through open windows. Although the noise isn’t as damaging as the ones witnessed in factories, it may be loud enough to disrupt your focus and mood. One of the most effective ways of dealing with distracting noise is using noise-cancelling headphones. For those working from home, soundproofing solutions can be really helpful.
Clutter
Poorly organised or cluttered workspace can lead to hygiene problems and reduced morale, mood, and productivity. Employees can trip over small objects or slip on spilled drinks if the office is cluttered. Moving around in the workspace can be problematic when encountering cluttered objects on the passageways. Cluttering can also be a problem when working from home. You will face all kinds of challenges when your WFH workspace is disorganised.
So, it’s imperative to declutter the workspace to provide peace of mind and boost productivity. Organisation and cleanliness are two essential things that can help declutter a workspace. Only keep things that are necessary for your job and organise the workstation based on practicality. Also, consider digitising your documents and notes to reduce paper-based documents that are cluttering your workspace.
Wrapping Up
Your workspace is your second home which determines how productive you can be. As we have seen, it can affect your mood, energy levels, mental health, and well-being. By paying attention to critical factors like ergonomics, lighting, noise level, colour, workplace culture, and clutter, you can develop a workspace that boosts your mood and energy levels.
