7 ways to set up a productive cubicle

Does work seem super dreary lately? Do you dream of your couch and packet of half-open chilli chips while sorting files at your desk? Seems like you’ve come to the right place! As compiled from Reader’s Digest, utilise these research-backed tips to make your cubicle or desk, a spot you actually look forward to working at.

Throw a shawl or a blanket over the back of your chair

The petulance you experience when you feel too cold can, in fact, significantly affect your work performance. In a Cornell University study, researchers placed monitoring devices on employees’ desks to measure keystrokes and mouse movement at different temperatures. When the office temperature in the month-long study increased from 68 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit, typing errors dropped 44% and output increased by 150%. Experts guess the ideal temperature is somewhere between 72 and 76 degrees. If you feel chilly, keep a blanket or shawl on the back of your chair for instant comfort.

Get a plant

Because most cubicles don’t have a window view, it’s important to find other ways to incorporate nature into your space. Extensive research has found that workers with flowers or plants on their desks are more productive than those without. The results of a 2011 study showed that when surrounded by office plants, people scored better on attention tasks that required them to read several sentences on a computer screen and remember the final word of each. Desk plants also offer workers the sense that they have something to tend to and care for, two restorative emotions. For those of you in the basement, this tip will definitely perk you up daily!

Invest in lemon mist for slow afternoons

A study at the UK’s Northumbria University found that exposure to lemon balm can improve cognitive performance and mood. Reap the benefits of aromatherapy without offending your coworkers by dabbing a drop or two of an essential oil on a cotton ball and taking a whiff whenever you need that extra boost. If your cubicle is a bit more closed off, create a mist by adding a few drops to a spray bottle filled with water. Give your space a light spritz each morning to refresh yourself and your work space.

Reposition your chair

Okay this might seem like a bit of a task, but if possible, arrange your chair so that when facing your computer, you can see the entrance to your cube. Knowing what’s coming is a basic human need and when you feel comfortable, you’ll be able to work harder. If you can’t reposition yourself, place a reflective object near your computer. Anything from a reflective picture frame to a small decorative mirror will do the trick and alert you immediately when anyone approaches your way.

Find a source of blue light

Do you feel drowsy at work? Worry not, we got you covered! Research has found that when participants were exposed to blue light for extended periods of time, they reported less sleepiness and displayed quicker reaction times, higher levels of alertness and greater attention spans in performance tests. If you work on a computer with an LED display, it’s already giving off blue light. If not, swap out your light bulbs for a basic LED ones and notice a difference almost immediately.

Keep a reuseable water bottle within reach

Not only is hydration great for your brain, drinking lots of paani will encourage you to get away from your desk to take frequent (bathroom) breaks. Believe it or not, it is another productivity booster. Short breaks help you reevaluate whether or not you’re staying on task and accomplishing the right things. “When demand in our lives intensifies, we tend to hunker down and push harder,” shares Tony Schwartz, head of New York City-based productivity consulting firm The Energy Project. “The trouble is, without any downtime to refresh and recharge, we’re less efficient, make more mistakes and get less engaged with what we’re doing.” Guzzling your daily eight ounces while at work will make short breaks a necessity, not an option.

Stock your drawer with dark chocolate

Chocolate lovers rejoice! Research from the Northern Arizona University found that dark chocolate activates the brain and increases attention levels. “A lot of us in the afternoon get a little fuzzy and can’t pay attention,” says psychology professor Larry Stevens, who contributed to the study. “We could have a higher-cacoa content chocolate bar and it would increase attention.” We couldn’t agree more!

Umnia Shahid

Published in The Express Tribune, March 24^th, 2016.

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