Post By: Celeste McLaughlin, Ergonomics Manager
Produced by: Solutions Northwest, Inc. (Ergonomics Experts serving Washington, Oregon, and Arcata, California)
“The average worker loses more than an hour a day just from
simple distractions” ResearchGate.net
Everyone is looking for the secret to more productivity at work, but the answer could lie in some simple, subtle changes to your work routine.
Here are five ways to be more efficient in the workplace:
1. Take regular breaks and eat a healthy diet.
Working longer hours doesn’t mean we will get more done. Taking regular breaks is important, it aids concentration and lifts the mood.
Taking a five-minute walk or stepping away from the office for fifteen minutes will help you maintain a healthy perspective. You’ll return to your desk more energized and be able to focus more clearly.
Eating healthily boosts our brainpower and that impacts how productive we are in the office. We need the right fuel to ensure we perform at our peak.
2. Get plenty of exercise, even at work.
Exercise brings health benefits to our bodies and to our mental well-being. It can reduce stress and help us to concentrate better. It’s important to exercise regularly and make it part of your daily routine.
Getting to the gym after work can be tough after a long hard day, but it is very beneficial. If the gym is a struggle, try fitting in something as simple as walking on your break or learn how to exercise at your desk. The ergonomics experts at Solutions Northwest Inc., have assembled 12 exercises you can do at your desk that strengthen your core, improve your posture while sitting, and provide enough strength to make it through a sedentary, office workday.
3. Group similar work tasks together.
Switching from one task to another wastes time and breaks your rhythm. It’s best to organize your work in groups of the same type. You can then set aside a block of time to finish each group all at once.
Arranging back to back meetings with colleagues in the afternoon is also a good idea. Once you’ve worked out your ‘to do’ list for the day, decide which tasks you could accomplish in two minutes or less and complete these straight away.
4. Put your phone on silent.
Chatting or checking Facebook for personal reasons is one of the biggest workplace distractions. It can break your concentration and focus.
Don’t be afraid to make yourself unavailable, most jobs
don’t require instant response and that phone call or text is more than likely
a distraction rather than work related.
It may help to choose a specific time of day that you are always available and
let your associates know that this the best time to reach you, otherwise keep
the phone silent while you work.
5. De-clutter your desk.
Having less stuff around can lower anxiety levels and in
turn, increase work productivity. Having a
desk or workstation that is well-organized helps us to think clearly. Get a big trash bin that you can throw all
old or unnecessary items in.
Getting rid of clutter will allow you to focus on the job and waste less time
searching for important items or feeling trapped by distracting clutter.
In
conclusion
Subtle changes can go a long way to increasing productivity in the
office. Try doing just 1 thing from this list and notice how much
it improves your productivity.
Share this information online or print it out and place it in the office to
share with everyone. To keep up with the newest trends in office safety and the
ergonomics industry subscribe to our blog.
These 5 workplace tips come courtesy of
Solutions Northwest
Inc., ergonomics consultants and work safety
experts located in Washington State, Arcata, California, Oregon, Seattle, Olympia, Tacoma,
and Portland.
