Thank you Mantra Wellness Magazine for Publishing my Article

7 Tips to Zen Your Workspace (Full text may be found below the image)

 

Seven Tips to Zen Your Workspace

 

By Dr. Deitrick L. Gorman

 

Americans are among the most stressed-out populations in the world. Drawing from Gallup’s 2019 data on emotional states, over half of the American population experience stress during the day (Source: American Institute of Stress). Much of the stress that individuals are experiencing ties to work-related issues and the Covid-19 pandemic has further increased our anxiety.

 

To find your ‘Zen’ (or calm feeling) at work, start with your workspace. A cluttered, unorganized desk can add to your stress level by making it harder to focus, creating difficulty to find what you need and can reduce your productivity. A clean work area will help you to stay on task, gives you more room to work, and can boost your creativity.

 

Whether you work in an office or at your home, here are seven ways you can ‘Work in Zen’ by creating a healthier, more calm workspace:

 

1. You first need to declutter your desk and work area. This includes organizing papers, filing, cleaning drawers, etc. It’s easy to put this off, but by taking the time to conduct one deep cleaning, you’ll be motivated to keep it tidy. I recommend taking few minutes to clean your desk before leaving your work each day.
2. Add a plant to your workspace. A 2010 study by the new University of Technology, Sydney, found significant reductions in stress among workers when plants were introduced to their workspace. If you don’t do well with plants, try a low maintenance plant such as a cactus.
3. Place a special picture(s) in your line of sight that will give you a positive feeling as you look at it (a pet, spouse or partner, child, vacation place).
4. Hang or place an inspirational saying to give you encouragement throughout the day. Repeat it back to yourself as a positive affirmation. You can change it out to stay refreshed.
5. Try a desktop Zen garden. You can find small, sand gardens with rocks, shells or other special accessories at local hobby stores, gift shops or online.
6. Aromatherapy has been used for generations to help people find their sense of calm. Add a diffuser for essential oil – you can find some that plug into a USB port. You can also add essential oil to your face mask to create a more pleasant mask experience or use a favorite scented hand lotion during the day. Lavender, Bergamot (orange), Lemon and Jasmine are scents that have been found to promote relaxation.
7. If you have your own office space, try a desktop water fountain that offers a soothing sound of running water. You can place a couple of essential oil drops to the water for add a nice fragrance to your office (that’s what I do).

 

I hope this list provides motivation to create a more Zen work environment and help you find some peace in your workspace. As work can be stressful at times, these strategies will help you to focus and find your calm, which can enable you to enjoy your time at work more and improve your overall well-being.