8 fun ways to boost your happiness at work
8 hours for work, 8 hours for sleep, and 8 hours for entertainment, isn’t this what they say? Well, that’s not exactly true. Let’s face it, most of us work a tad more than the 8 hour norm and the commute or the chores we have to do every day can’t really be called “entertainment”. So, it’s pretty clear that the time we dedicate to work (both for our jobs and our households) is longer than the time left for recreation.
The solution? Being happy at work! Since you spend so much time doing it, your job should bring you positive feelings, as well as professional and personal satisfactions. In addition to choosing a job that you enjoy and are good at, you need to check a few more boxes to make sure you stay happy and engaged in the long run. Here are 8 ways to boost your happiness at work:
1. Brighten up your desk
Our workspace is like a home for our brain. It’s where our brain goes every morning to do its thing, to earn us money. To help our brain do its best at all times, we need to offer it the best working environment. That means a friendly, familiar space, that is clean and uncluttered.
So make sure your desk is not filled with old documents or things you don’t really need. Keep your files organized and you’ll never have to waste time looking for them. Bringing in a plant, a meaningful photo, or your favorite decoration will certainly boost your creativity and get you in a good mood.
2. Add some variety
Variety is good! Change is always welcome. Changing something in your daily schedule will spice up your day. If you’re used to driving to work, try riding your bike or changing your route to a more picturesque one. If you always eat the same thing for lunch, try a new place or something new in the menu. The excitement of new beginnings will be worth it, we promise.
3. Make friends
Life is better with friends. Even at work or especially at work. Having close people to talk to when you can’t figure out a solution on your own, when you have something exciting to share, or when you’re simply bored is a great thing. So let people get to know you and try to know them. You’ll surely find a few kindred spirits.
4. Take breaks
There’s nothing like a good break when you need to regroup or to get up from your seat. Active breaks are the best, so it would be great if you could go out for a brisk walk or stretch a little. Catching up with your colleagues is also nice or reading something unrelated to work. You will then return to your tasks with a clear head and more ideas.
5. Learn something new
We don’t just learn while we’re students, we learn during our entire lives. So learning new things at work is a great way to broaden your horizons, take on new tasks, and avoid getting bored with what you do in the long run. And, who knows, it will maybe enable you to steer your career in a different direction in the future.
6. Reward yourself
It feels nice to get recognition for your work, but it doesn’t always need to come from someone else. You can congratulate yourself for a job well done and reward yourself with something that is meaningful to you. A night out, the shoes you’ve been drooling over in the past month, or just a chocolate muffin are all great ideas for little prizes you can give yourself to keep things interesting.
7. Take it one task at a time
Multitasking is a tempting solution when you’re busy or when you’ve run out of ideas for a specific task. But it’s actually not a good idea. All scientific studies attest to this. Even if you (think you) are good at it, try to refrain from multitasking. It will actually tire and confuse you. Focusing on a single task at a time is the best way to get good results without exhausting yourself.
8. Help out
Did you know helping others is actually a selfish thing? Because doing things for others makes us feel better than doing the same thing for ourselves. Yep, our endorphins reach new heights. So, when you help out your workmates, you’re not just doing something nice for them, you’re also getting yourself in a good mood. Let the marathon of good deeds begin!
