How to Personalize Your Workspace

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For those of us who work full-time, almost a quarter of our lives are spent behind desks, our home away from home.  So why not personalize your workspace and make it as comfortable as your living room? A boring, uninspiring and uncomfortable work environment can affect your productivity in a negative way. Being organized, relaxed and comfortable at work will make your time more enjoyable and translate to a higher level of productivity.

If you work from home, it’s important to have a separate space solely dedicated to your work. Dedicating a space to work leaves you free from distractions. But for a lot of people, having an entire room isn’t always possible. And that’s okay; many beautiful and functional workspaces are small. All you really need to personalize your workspace is a desk and a little sliver of space. Pinterest is a great place to find ideas on how to improve and personalize your workspace. We’ve pinned some of our favourites for you to check out.

To inspire you, we’ve put together a few recommendations on how you can best personalize your workspace, regardless of whether you work from home or in an office.

Lighting

Adding a rock salt lamp to your desk is a great way to create a gentle and relaxing atmosphere. Rumors say, these lamps emit ions that decrease stress, create balance and reduce computer screen fatigue. If possible, it’s also a great idea to work next to a window. Research suggests the fluorescent lights common in most offices tend to drain the will to work, while natural light provides an increase in happiness, energy and productivity.

Greenery

Adding some greenery is a great way to brighten up your space. Science says that the plants stimulate cognitive function and creativity, improve air quality, and create an inviting environment. Try adding a low-maintenance plant like aloe, bamboo or succulents to your desk.

Décor

One of the easiest ways to personalize your workspace is to add some décor. You can cover boring walls with wallpaper, display photos of your loved ones, and post inspirational quotes on your bulletin board. Adding some décor is the most effective way to give your office a personal touch and make your workspace feel more like home.

Aromatherapy

It’s easy to get overwhelmed with a growing list of tasks or a tricky dictation. Along with yoga, aromatherapy is a wonderful tool for stress relief. Aromatherapy has many health benefits. For example, lavender is good for relaxation and improving mood. Peppermint reduces headaches and muscle pain, while rosemary improves brain function and memory. Having an aromatic diffuser at your desk is a great way to reap the benefits of aromatherapy. You can also use essential oils topically, rubbing a few drops in the palm of your hands and inhaling deeply, to reduce stress and keep you going on a rough day.

File Organization

A cluttered desk is a cluttered mind. If your desk has piles of documents on it, then it’s time to create a filing system. Purge anything you haven’t use in months. If you require hard copies of certain documents, keep them organized in labeled binders or folders. Even better, you can avoid creating clutter and killing trees by utilizing a digital filing system. Having a filing system on your computer is a great way to stay organized and makes it easier to find certain documents. Just make sure you back up any important files with an external hard drive.

Comfort

Since we spend so much time at our desk, it is absolutely necessary to have a comfortable workspace. It’s said that sitting is the new smoking; research shows that a sedentary lifestyle is detrimental to our health. Too much time spent sitting can lead to weight gain, muscle degeneration, loss of brain power, and back and neck pain. For many of us, sitting and working in front of a computer all day is a necessity. But by taking preventative measures with some self-care, we can improve our comfort and reduce risk of injury. Using ergonomic keyboards, cushioned chairs and standing desks are great ways to stay comfortable while working efficiently.

It doesn’t take much to personalize your workspace. Being organized, relaxed and comfortable at work will make your time more enjoyable and translate to a higher level of productivity. A warm and inviting workspace leads to an inspired and focused mind!