Source: ciphr.com/Can-Your-Office-Be-Good-For-Health
400000 people in the UK believe they have been made ill by the stress of work.
13.7 Million workdays are lost each year as a result of this. The total cost to employers due to mental health problems among their staff is nearly 26 billion a year.
That's pond 1035 for every member of the workforce.
Stress is a leading cause of migraines, of which there are 6 million sufferers in the UK. It is estimated this costs the economy pond 750 million a year.
At The Desk Posture
Leaning back slightly at about a 135 degree angle puts less stress on your spine than sitting upright or leaning forward. But it is just as important to change posture regularly. Pneumatic Chair will allow you to adjust to find the most comfortable position.
Monitor Placement
Make sure to rest your eyes every 20 minutes and the monitor should be 20 to 30 inches away from your eyes. Over 50% of people suffer some form of eye discomfort as a result of computer work.
Mouse And Keyboard Placement
To reach the keyboard, your forearms should bend no more than 20 degree above horizontal, keep the mouse nearby and use a wrist rest.
Stretching
Stand up and stretch every 30 minutes. Your spinal discs face 3x less pressure when standing. Some offices are even beginning to offer standing workstations which can improve focus and increase stamina.
Natural lighting is the best for maintaining focus. Studies have shown that office workers can concentrate up to 4x longer than under artificial light.
Plants have been proven to lower blood pressure, increase employee productivity, and improve reaction times by 12%. Furthermore, dust levels in the workplace can be reduced by up to 20% when foliage plants are introduced.
Pleasant Scents
Scenting an office with lavender oils has been found to reduce computer errors by 25% because of its relaxing effect.
Colour to create a more relaxed office-space, blue is best, as it has been proven to lower blood pressure and ease mental tension. If you are looking to beat fatigue, however, red or orange are more suitable because of their energizing effects.
Music can provide mental stimulation for those carrying out monotonous tasks, and so reduces boredom and fatigue.
Open Plan Increase: Increases Motivation
Research shows there is less chance for distrust and jealousy amongst employees which can lead to anxiety. Lack Of Privacy
For many people privacy is a top priority and a lack of it can be particularly damaging to talented but introverted workers.
Closed Plan: Privacy And Personalization
Some people are much happier in a working space which is distinctly theirs.
Isolation
Some psychologists believe a cubicle culture has turned many working professionals into introverts.
How Employers Can Help: Discount Gym Memberships
Many employers are starting to offer such schemes., with larger companies even having their own facilities, as they realize the benefit they can bring to employee productivity.
Promote Healthy Eating
Google considered behavioral economics when designing its cafeteria so that employees would find it easier to make healthy choices, but even small steps such as offering fruit in vending machines can be helpful.
Counseling Services
If an employee is finding life difficult, whether for personal or work-related reasons, then having easy access to counseling services can be extremely reassuring and often nip the problem in the bud.
Promote Culture
People working in departments with higher promotion rates have a 20% reduced risk of developing heart disease.
Flexible Hours
Research shows that having independence and choice over when we work beats stress better than simply working less.
