How can I make my work enviroment less draining and toxic?

Question

I work long hours at a desk in an office and don't have access to view outside and am finding it so draining working in this enviroment.

Does anyone have any suggestions how I can make my work area better and myself more productive?

I thought maybe burning some essential oils in an oil burner but wouldnt know which ones to burn?

Any help very much appreciated!

Answer 1

How about a machine that plays soothing sounds like the ocean and such. I use one of those when I chill in the hammock at home and it unwinds me real good.

Might put you to sleep though.

Answer 2

Bring things from home that make you happy like pictures or little stuffed animals and figurines.
Instead of having your pencils in some run of the mill mug, try something home made.
Keep your desk neat and organized. Before you leave for lunch and home, tidy up so when you come back, it's not so Toxic, as you call it.
Music.... I find that having music playing (not too loud. Only background) helps you stay focus and brightens everything up.
Put a landscape background as your desktop on your computer. It's like an instant vacation. And if you're able, hang up a nice photograph or painting.

As far as the candles and oils... That's a no-no but you can keep those scented bags that you find at Bed Bath and Beyond in your desk drawers.

The flower ideas are good but they can get expensive if you're tight for cash.

Good luck and I hope all these great answers help you out.

Answer 3

I didn't read all the previous responses so not sure if anyone else commented about this but what I like doing to break the mundane, stale, maybe toxic cubicle environment is I take breaks every couple hours or so and walk around and visit some co-workers to see how they're doing. I also enjoy going on short walks outside my building during my assigned breaks and lunches. The air outside will be at least a little better than inside a stuffy building and you may hear the birds chirping and the sun shining. Make sure you keep healthy by eating and exercising smartly this will help bring you into a more pleasant mood as well. Hope this helps....

Answer 4

Well burning oils is considered a safety hazard, so that is out. Work is our home away from home, basically we spend more of our lives at work. There are the simple basic things,the obvious is having pictures of your significant other, your kids if you have any, pets Depending on your desk size 2 or 3 of your framed pictures. Change your screen saver often, most jobs will let your personalize the screen saver. A small plug in radio if music is allowed. If it is not, most jobs will allow you to have one but you must use your ear buds. A small fan is refreshing but since it is electrical you may have to check if it is OK to have. If it is then by a air freshener there are so many fragrances to choose from I am sure you can find something favorable. Place it directly in front of the fan.
Try not to have a clock on your desk, I know all computer have one on the bottom of th screen but you can tape a small piece of paper over it, this is better then watching the clock. Get up and move often, I am not saying wonder around your office, but stand up often, even if you are on the phone just to stretch/change position. Hint: if the boss mentions it or seems annoyed just say you are doing it to avoid back problems. That is all I can think off right now, give my tips a try and good luck.

Answer 5

Easier said then done, but CHANGE YOUR ATTITUDE. Focus on being happy and giving your all to the position you are in now.

Put the energy out there and eventually sooner sometimes rather than later somehow someway which the Universe only knows you will be moved.

YOU CANNOT afford to ***** and complain about how dreadful things are otherwise they will remain the same. BE HAPPY, EXPRESS THOUGHTS of joy. This is no new age mobo-jumbo but truth. FOCUS ONLY ON WHAT YOU WANT, forget everything else.

Keep your work area nice and clean then put up any artifacts that make you feel good an happy that way your radiating good energy. Essential oils might include rosemary or patchouli are pretty good but its more a question of person preference.

If you can get to any aroma therapy store in your area would be great, or just check out the link I've provided below.

Answer 6

Unlike some answers, if you work for a big firm, i.e. a Fortune 500 they are all about making you feel more comfortable in your environment. Some HR depts are very receptive to helping you figure out how to be more comfortable and thereby more productive. Some, such as Best Buy corp office, even encourage you to work from home because not everyone works equally well in equal environments.

Try photos, small plants, calendars as suggested. If its a cubicle you cannot expect to burn candles, have scents or play music because someone else may not work well with that. Try going to an Ikea or Pier 1 and explore their decorations departments and look for fun small posters or vases or desk sculptures. Even crafts stores such as Michaels carry small 5x8 posters that you can pin to the walls of your cubicle or frame. Also some people find it relaxing to pick up a small goldfish or betta. Bettas are the lowest maintenance and require only a very small bowl.

Answer 7

I used to have an office like that. You have received a lot of good suggestions. I'd like to share a couple of things that worked for me. I made a "window" with a framed poster of a waterfall. You can get some with nature scenes and an inspirational/motivational saying that may be even more acceptable to some bosses that just a picture. A digital picture frame (changing pictures or sayings) may help too.

I also used breaks to go for a walk outside if possible but even inside in the hall away from my cage,

I posted my goals for the day/week/month where I could see and cross them off as achieved (actually I posted them to the side and somewhat behind me because that was the more reachable wall but I could still swivel and see and mark them off. I was in marketing so partly commission based so pictures resembling what I wanted for exceeding goal and getting extra $$ helped too. I found that I needed to keep those in the top front of a drawer bec someone got a notion that excess pictures cluttered things.

I also invested in a cushion for my chair that improved support and comfort...sort of a back support thing. If you have a "killer chair" that will really make a difference and may be easier for the co to accept than bringing in your own chair.

Plants helped till the higher up decided that if one person had a plant someone else might put one on their monitor and spill water (and short circuit something( arraugh) For me fake plants did not help but they might for you, If your office is private one of the scent discs or a plug in will work. As some have noted burning something may be a no no and whatever scent you use keep it subtle. Generally lavender relaxes, citrus especially lemon energizes, apple creates a sense of well being. There is a brand of air scenters called "noticeables" that might be good because the scent changes so you are more aware of it. if that for some reason is a no no try a small dish or box or sachet of poupouri tucked in a desk drawer. You can bring it out stir it to get the fragrance and put it away again.

If you have the freedom to do it take something easily removed like tissue paper and stick tack or 2 sided tape and make one wall that you see or can see a lot deep American Beauty Pink. Don't laugh psychological studies have proven that this color calms and increased a sense of well being. Some places that deal with troubled kids and adults actually have "pink rooms" and have shown that just being in that room changes attitudes and behavior,. This is specific to the deep rosy pink not just any pink. If you can't do a wall maybe some accents in that color.

Sound cues can help too depending on what is allowed in your work place, Even if you can not play your music while you work you can capture some tunes and play on break or just before coming back from lunch on a personal player. Avoid music that stirs too many emotions especially anger and sadness, Believe it or not a march tune can help give you umph and energy,

Hope these help.

Answer 8

OK, everyone is suggesting plants and I agree. I wanted to chime in with some personal indoor plant favorites which are coleus and aloe vera.
Coleus comes in a variety of colors and brighten up a spot. It is also easy to share because it roots so easily.
Aloe vera is renown for its healing ability. And it grows well in almost any environment, except cold. Aloes do not like cold.
Also, there's something about a fountain that is just soothing and nice. I love water features and there are small ones on the market that can fit nicely in a desk's corner.
I also think healing happens from the inside out and to that regard, I would recommend Vitamin B complex or a multi vitamin especially if you're indoors all day. This will also help lift your mood.
Pictures of your loved ones will remind you of the good times and hopefully make you smile.
And, when the weather permits, take a stroll to revive spent energy.

Answer 9

I was having about the same issue at my work. I work in a cubicle so it is very difficult to do things to liven up the place. I had a comfy chair already(something the company invested in for all the employees) but the cube was just draining. I found that simply by placing a few picture of family and friends. and by keeping a personal music player at my desk (ipod) with some good music on it life became a lot better. it is quite a struggle to keep your work place from being draining especially with no windows. burning incense or anything else does not seem like a good idea. there is issues with other employees around you who may not like the smell, the company itself, fire code laws, etc. A plant would be OK if you wanted to take care of one, had space for it, and the company was OK with you having one. and a desk fountain as well would be OK if you didn't mind taking care of it and the company is OK with it. try to make sure that you don't do anything that is going to be too distracting or disruptive of your work and the work of those around you. good luck =)

Answer 10

Try using an air purifier or ionizer. Office air is usually stale. The best thing is to go outside during lunch time and coffee break to get some fresh air.

I keep some of my favorite pictures of tropical islands and resorts and skylines in my cubicle, and my screen-saver can be made to play these images of tropical islands.

Having a live indoor plant helps also. I'm not sure an oil burner is acceptable in an office environment - I'd be careful with anything that burns.

Answer 11

You must be the new occupant of the last office I worked in! I was in a little room with one other person, two big flourescent lights, freezing air conditioning, and not even within view of a window - the paneled hallway was the view.

You're right, it is toxic. I'm no longer there, and am better off for it, but while I was there I kept some motivating music CDs in my desk drawer and put one into my computer drive & play it (not too loud) while I worked.

Also, be sure to get up & move around & get a peek at daylight, try to get outside during breaks for sun & deep gulps of fresh air. Not too much substance, I know, but every little bit can help. Good luck!

Oh, the burning oils - not recommended. Fire codes.