Optimizing the productivity of your work space is not only conducive to a better working environment, but it is also likely to improve your personal outlook on all aspects of your daily life. After all, the majority of working individuals spend the largest portion of their waking day inside of their office. The following tips will help you maximize your time at work while also reducing your level of stress.

1.) If Possible, Space Out your Breaks – It used to be a common practice for people to take a thirty minute lunch and to also have two 15 minute breaks during the course of an eight hour workday. In most business environments a shift has occurred that has led to employees taking one longer break during the day, typically an hour, without any short breaks. This actually reduces productivity as it causes employees to become burned out much more quickly. To avoid this issue, it is best to return to a 15, 30, 15 minute break schedule. Those who eat lunch at their desk everyday may even benefit from more frequent but smaller breaks such as four breaks lasting 15 minutes each.

2.) Use Technology to your Advantage – Larger monitors will make it easier for you to deal with the potential effects of eyestrain. If you spend a lot of time working simultaneously with multiple documents, get your IT department to set up two monitors and make sure that the system is setup to allow you to drag and drop files between them. Utilize all of the time saving functionality that your computer and smartphone have to offer by setting up reminders on your calendar and syncing the data between your work computer and your phone.

3.) Shake Out the Mental Cobwebs – Even if you’re able to space out your breaks, you’ll occasionally feel like you’ve hit a mental wall. Rather than continue to struggle, take five minutes to do some very simplistic exercises and stretches. This can range from a walk around the building to doing some lunges or sit ups inside your office. Once you’ve done this you’ll find yourself feeling more energized and much more capable of dealing with the work in front of you.

4.) Ergonomic isn’t Just a Buzz Word – Every year countless hours of productivity are lost due to back and wrist issues. In order to make sure that this doesn’t happen to you, make sure that your office is ergonomically friendly. It is important to note, however, that what suits one person’s body will not necessarily be a good fit for anyone else. Due to this, it is imperative to avoid a one size fits all approach to furniture options.

5.) Filing isn’t Fun, but it is Necessary – If your office is overflowing with old paperwork that needs to be filed away it will become impossible for you to relax. Even if the work has been completed for months, the clutter that surrounds you will invariably have a negative impact on both your performance and your general outlook. No one enjoys filing, but make sure to keep up with it to ensure a happier work place.

Once you implement the tips listed above you’re certain to see an increase in your productivity. Don’t be afraid to try new ideas, especially during times of extreme workplace stress. It won’t only make your work day more pleasant but it will have a positive impact on your personal life, too.

Nicole Rodgers has been blogging in the business, technology, and finance industries for three years. When Nicole was running her small business she made sure to have good employee benefits to keep her employees happy. She also saw it was important to provide other benefits as well. She made sure to provide her employees with good health insurance in order to keep her employees healthy.

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