How Evolved Is Your Office
Human beings have evolved, while
at the beginning we were stronger, made for hunting and walking long distances,
today, human beings are rarely in the wild, instead our daily routine is
walking short distances, sitting in front of a computer most of the time and writing
short messages rather than speaking to someone else.
And while we continue evolving,
our major causes of sickness have changed over time as well. Stress has become
one of the major causes for other illnesses such as heart diseases, depression,
obesity, digestive & sleep problems, etc.
Companies tend to believe that
employee dissatisfaction disappears by increasing bonuses but few of them rely
on psychology to identify other ways to increase happiness, motivation and
productivity.
A study by the British
Psychological Society, based on environmental and evolutionary psychology
reveals what would be the best scenario for our workplaces.
Greenery & Exercise:
Humans need to be exposed to
nature, we were meant to live in a green environment but we have adapted to the
cement environment we have created. Having plants in the office reduces our
anxiety, provides clean air and removes toxins from the air. It would be ideal
to jog in a nearby park or during lunch time to go and walk for a few minutes
near plants.
And moving or exercising should also be promoted. Doing pauses for a stretch, having a ping pong or finding ways for your team to move a little is beneficial for all.
And moving or exercising should also be promoted. Doing pauses for a stretch, having a ping pong or finding ways for your team to move a little is beneficial for all.
Nap?
Yes, some may be against the idea
of paying their team to sleep, but a quick nap after lunch will re-energize,
clear your mind and avoid all the time lost while we fight not to sleep. While
you are telling your body to think, your body is asking for some time to
process what you just ate. That internal fight is reflected in the sleepiness
we feel after lunch. A ten minute nap requires of a silent and comfortable place
where people can have a quality rest and recharge their batteries to continue
their afternoon
Pets
Most will disagree as pets
require time, dedication and may become a distraction. But the study shows how
a pet can help bring group cohesion, trust, cooperation and many smiles to your
whole team.
It’s not an easy task, it
involves changing the culture and involving the whole company, but don’t forget
that productivity is not the mean but the result of happy people.
Give it a
try, and if you need some inspiration, give us a call or visit OfficeList and
we’ll share experiences from our customers.
Labels: healthy offices, office environments, office nap, pets in the office, plants in the office
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