8 tips for creating a happier, more productive office environment

Most professionals spend more than a third of their lives at work. Doesn’t it make sense to make the working environment a more enjoyable place to be?

Here are eight tips.

1. Flex your greenfingers

Sometimes small additions can make a big difference. A drab office can be totally transformed simply by adding some plants. And the benefits go way beyond the aesthetic. An eight-month study by Texas A&M University found that the mere sight of plants and flowers improved creativity by 15% and reduced anxiety. Separate research found that a little office foliage can improve health too: reducing headaches, scratchy throats and skin irritations. The takeout: hit the garden centre, stat.

2. Let there be light!

The human brain craves natural light. In fact exposure to the light of the day can improve productivity by 18%, while giving mood and energy a boost too - according to research from the World Green Building Council. Of course access to natural light isn’t possible in every office. If that’s the case you could try using blue-enriched light bulbs to simulate daylight, or experiment with warmer tones to create a more relaxing office environment. Oh and never underestimate fairy lights for bringing some sparkle to your workplace.

3. Give your staff a raise

You’ve read it a thousand times by now: sitting at a desk all day isn’t great for health. Height adjustable desks allow you to redress the balance for healthier, happier staff. Up your desk game.

4. Embrace a breakout space

Nobody is going to work at their best when they feel like they’re chained to their desk for eight hours each day. Whether it’s a games room, a relaxation room or something else entirely, a breakout space gives staff a place to get some distance from the challenges of the working day and re-energise the grey matter. It also provides an informal space away from the desk to share ideas and foster a culture of collaboration in your organisation.

5. Create a culture of calm

Stress, anxiety, panic. There’s a lot of it around - and it’s no good in the workplace. Sure, a certain amount of stress can be motivating. But it’s important to provide your workforce with a means of finding some inner calm too. There are plenty of ways you can do that: from weekly office yoga sessions to the purchase of a massage chair. Stop being such a zen-ophobe and get in touch with yourself. Om.

6. Feed new ideas

Good nutrition has a huge impact on energy levels and productivity. The brain is the most energy-intensive organ in the body. And it requires the right nutrients to perform at its best. Providing free access to nutritious snacks for your staff is hardly going to wreck your balance sheet. Quality in, quality out.

7. Get smarter about storage

A cluttered workspace makes for a cluttered mind. The sight of yellowing paperwork and ink cartridges is hardly inspiring. Embrace smart storage products to create a more minimal, streamlined and tidy environment.

8. Go green

It’s fair to say that people are more eco-conscious than ever before. Chances are a good proportion of your workforce feels strongly about trying to be a little kinder to Mother Nature - and, frankly, good on them. Failure to have something as simple as a clear recycling policy for office waste could create tension among your employees. Take the time to get the little things right.

What are you waiting for?

Improving your workspace inspires performance, motivates your workforce and reduces staff churn. It could also bag you a gong in the Space Awards - a brand new initiative for businesses based in and around Exeter, for which Cathedral Appointments very own Jo Caine is a judge. If you would like your business to be considered for the 2019 shortlist, now’s the time to get moving. Over to you!