? Introduction The Main Functions of an Office Explained But is An Office More Than That? The Importance of Feeling ‘at Home’ in an Office The Psychological Effects of The Office The Physical Effects of The Office 8 Elements to Make Your Office Shine Conclusion  There are many elements that need to come together to create good work. You need quality processes, the best equipment, good employees, and a collective work ethic that pulls it all together. But is that it? No. You also need the best office you can possibly create.  If you think that an office is just a room where people c ..read more

  We know that exercise is great for health and wellbeing. It helps us to lose weight, manage  our weight, and keeps our joints and bones strong. But what else? Exercise is ideal for mental health too. The brain releases feel-good endorphins when we exercise, which can make us feel upbeat and positive. That’s why doctors recommend light exercise for everyone, especially if you’re feeling down or suffering with depression and anxiety.  Of course, exercise alone isn’t a magic cure, but it’s something you can utilise and use as part of a healthy lifestyle in general.  So, wha ..read more

Many office conflicts could be solved or reduced in severity if the people involved simply took a breath, walked away, and went outside.  The Great Outdoors is beneficial in so many ways and it’s a good tool for helping to reduce stress.  There is something almost medicinal about going outside and breathing in some good, fresh air. You don’t even have to stay out there for too long; you just need to stand there and soak up some air and light and you’ll feel much better in a few minutes.  There are many stress management tools out there and they’re all great things to master, bu ..read more

Think back to the last time you had a million and one jobs to do and you were trying to remember them all. It probably felt pretty overwhelming, right? You were probably desperate to not forget something important, and once or twice you probably did. It’s a stressful situation and one that doesn’t help you to focus and be productive along the way.  It’s easy to assume that putting tasks into your in-tray will help you stay in control, but those trays simply become a dumping ground for things yet to be done. Your office desk becomes hidden under piles of paper! But there is another way.&n ..read more

Time management is a very effective tool to banish stress. Once you feel in control of your workload and your time, it’s very difficult to feel out of control. The problem is, time doesn’t want to be managed sometimes! Everyone wants to clear their workload every single day, but it’s vital to know that it’s not always possible. Having unrealistic expectations doesn’t help anyone, but prioritising what definitely needs to be done versus what can wait is a good starting point.  You can do that with a to-do list.  Check out this infographic which gives some useful tips for creating the ..read more

Do you find it easy to talk about how you feel? You probably do if you’re with close friends or family members, perhaps a partner, but what about with your manager or colleagues? The truth is clear - if far more people felt able to talk about workplace stress with their manager or their colleagues, it wouldn’t be such a huge issue.  Talking about stress is something none of us seem to feel comfortable with. We might occasionally throw a comment out like, “I’m so stressed” but then we carry on as though we said nothing. But it’s important to continue with that line and explain what the pr ..read more

Even in 2023, there are still far too many people who assume that feeling stressed is normal.  It’s not.  For sure, it’s normal to feel a tiny bit stressed occasionally; perhaps when you have a big deadline to meet or you’re about to move house, but chronic workplace stress is as far from normal as it’s possible to get.  We can still blame the stigma around stress for this mindset. Too many people worry about  simply admitting that the feel stressed or overwhelmed. As such, they put up with it and assume that it has to be their little secret. But when left to grow and fest ..read more

There are many things which can make a day a little stressful, but being far too close to your office colleagues is one of them! When an office is designed, it’s vital to leave enough personal space between office desks. If you don’t do that, not only are you looking at a health and safety risk, but it’s also super-annoying for your employees. People need a little space! If you’re working on a project and you really need to concentrate, there’s nothing more annoying than someone making too much noise. And when they’re sat on the next office desk, it’s even more irritating! These small things ..read more

At least during one time in your life, you’ll have heard someone tell you to go outside and get some fresh air when you’re feeling stressed or angry. It’s a common piece of advice, and with good reason.  Spending your working days at your office desk will certainly help you become more productive if you know how to manage your time, but there are always going to be things which cause you to feel a little stressed out from time to time. Learning how to spot the stirrings of stress is important, because that way you can do something about it before it starts to take root and turn into a ch ..read more

There is a reason why we generally feel a lot happier and uplifted during the summer months - natural light. We get to see so much more of it when the lighter nights come our way, but during the winter, we often feel a bit down or lacking in energy.  Natural light is something we all need because it helps our bodies to create vitamin D. So it makes sense to try and take that advice into account when planning an office, don’t you think? There are many benefits of natural light, but it’s certainly a great reducer of workplace stress. Check out this infographic for a little more information ..read more