Humanising your work-space

Sitting for hours staring at computer screen may seem like the norm for many of us these days and repercussions from inactivity amasses both physical and psychological strain.
Learning to manage our workspace, take regular breaks from the increasing work loads and pressures around us is key to self management. Repetitive movements, singular, stationary positions all add up. It's easy to ignore the signs that tell us to take a break, stretch, re-hydrate, get fresh air, and this can leave us feeling exhausted and depleted. So is it any wonder that our body accumulates tiredness, lethargy, aches and pains and other maladies that negatively affect our health?
Humanise your work-space by taking an objective view.

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Ask yourself:

• What do you like about your work-space/desk/office?  
• Does it reflect your personality or is it lacking the human touch?
• Is it purely functional, are you happy about the space which you occupy for hours every day?
• How does your current work-space make you feel?
• What could improve it?

Ideas to experiment with:

• View your work-space as you would a room in your home, think creatively about style/design/personalising/making it your own
• Check: Monitor height and sitting position. Ideally you should be looking slightly down at your screen. Check this out online: http://www.wikihow.com/Sit-at-a-Computer
• Take regular desk breaks. Set an alarm on your phone every 30 or 60 mins to remind you to get up, stretch, walk, drink water. Small breaks, little and often are very beneficial

• Leave the office at lunchtime - take a 20 minute walk
• Keep fresh fruit/nuts/seeds/rice cakes and healthy snack foods handy
• Drink plenty of water or herbal tea to stay hydrated
• Close tabs on your computer screen that you are not working with
• Open tabs that are inspiring i.e. Ted talks/meditations/music to uplift or calm/positive images
• Manage your email. First thing on arrival at work then at lunchtime and for 30 mins prior to finishing work. Keep it closed in between these times
• Have a plant or fresh flowers in view
• Clean your desk at the end of a working day. You will appreciate having done this when you arrive the next morning