5 Little Things That Can Make a Big Difference to Your Office Life

We spend so much of our time at the office, but often overlook the little things that could make those hours feel less like a chore. Luckily, there are some simple changes that you can make to ensure that your healthy lifestyle extends into your office life and leaves you feeling better about arriving to work each morning.

Here are five quick tips for upgrading your office life:

1. Make Your Desk A Home Away From Home

Your desk can start off as a pretty sterile place and feel unfortunately impersonal. That doesn’t do wonders for how your emotions react when you get into the office, and over time can leave you feeling like you’re not comfortable in your own space. It doesn’t have to be that way! 

If you think of your desk as an extension of your own home, you can turn it into a comfortable and productive space to get things done. That means adding a personal touch -- decorations, photos, plants and decor that sparks some joy and makes you feel at ease. You don’t have to go overboard, but a few chic and useful items within arms reach go a long way.

2. Stock Up On Your Favorite Things

Too often we rely on what amenities and food are already available at the office or in the few blocks outside of it. But while that’s certainly convenient, it’s also depriving ourselves of what we might actually want and limiting our options. It may also not be the healthiest choice.

Instead of resorting to weak office coffee and whatever snacks are nearby, you should plan ahead and stock up on the items you know will make you happy. If you’ve got a favorite caffeine pick-me-up for the afternoon slump or some healthy snacks to start your morning, make sure to keep a bunch at the office so that you can power through your day on your own terms.

3. Get (And Stay) Hydrated

As simple as it may sound, getting enough water throughout the day makes a huge difference to whether you’re having a healthy, productive time at the office. Nutritionists widely agree that being only a little dehydrated can lead to a loss in focus and feeling down.

Instead of making frequent trips to the water cooler, one way to get the amount of water you need to stay on the ball is to invest in an eye-pleasing pitcher or larger water bottle. Having it right next to you as you work will help remind you to keep hydrated and take care of yourself.

4. Don’t Chain Yourself To Your Chair

No matter how easy it may be to get caught up in your work and stay seated all day, it’s important both for your mental and physical health to take some breaks and get moving. Taking time away from your desk to go for a short walk, ideally, a few times each day will work wonders for your office life.

Getting a quick walk away helps with back pain, eye fatigue and general well being. One study found that getting up from your chair for a quick stroll makes you feel happier, less tired and can even reduce your hunger cravings. 

5. Friends At The Office Are Key To Good Habits

It’s easier to accomplish your goals and feel better in your workplace if you're not going it alone. One study from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology found that we’re more likely to adopt good, healthier habits if we do so in a group setting with the support of others. It’s the same thing in the workplace, where making sure you’ve got friends who are on the same page to help you out can make all the difference.