Many people spend most of their day at their desk. The view of the computer monitor, the often dreary wall design, the unfavourable lighting – there are certainly better working environments. According to many experts, productivity also suffers as a result of such supposed desk dreariness. Studies have shown that a lack of breaks and moments of relaxation can lead to frustration, less creativity and dissatisfaction. But there are ways that everyone can do something about it. Here are some tips.
Standing or sitting? Preferably both!
Surveys show that more than 50 % of all desk work is still carried out sitting down. But this supposed comfort has its pitfalls, as it reduces the strength of the muscles and causes tension. Experts therefore recommend a standing desk.
The stretched posture means that our lower back does not tend to “slump” as it does when sitting, but remains straight. This means that the spine is not compressed and the muscles have to work. This strain causes them to grow and also strengthens the entire skeletal musculature in the future.
However, working only standing up is not an all-round solution for high concentration, greater efficiency and vitality. Health experts agree that it’s all in the mix. That’s why they recommend alternating between sitting and standing work. This not only puts strain on different parts of our body, but also strains our ability to concentrate. The brain has to constantly adapt to the new working environment and therefore remains active.
Plants as good mood makers
Houseplants are not only wonderful sources of oxygen, but also provide great color highlights. In the dreariness of the office environment, they are often a real ray of hope in the truest sense of the word. But plants can do much more with their lush green color. Psychology shows that the green color has a calming effect on our mood and can reduce stress.
So if you’ve had an exciting day at work or are feeling stressed, you should take a few minutes to retreat into the plant environment. Caring for our green roommates also has a positive effect on our mood. The working day at the desk often consists of poring over digital documents and staring at the screen for hours on end. Real manual labor and the creation of value is hardly possible. That’s why it can be reassuring to have to take care of your houseplants in the office and admire every new shoot, every bud.
Time management with compulsory breaks
We often forget to take our own breaks when we are absorbed in our work. A tried and tested time management method can help here: the Pomodoro technique. This involves dividing the tasks to be completed into sections of 25 minutes each. There is always a short 5-minute break in between.
Studies have shown that this method pays off. During the 25 productive minutes, attention and efficiency increase. After all, the work period is manageable. The 5-minute break in turn helps us to relax and clears our heads. If you want, you can also use the technique for yourself and, for example, work for 50 minutes and take a break for a few minutes. There are now even numerous tools that can be installed on your PC monitor. They help you to stop the time and support task management.
