Many of us will spend many endless thousands of hours of our lives at work. Ideally, all that work time should be awesome time! And if it’s not, today let’s get things closer to ideal.
If you’re stressed, overwhelmed, cluttered and otherwise challenged, that work can be enough to manage.
If you add in the many common toxins that run rampant in even our home offices, this time at work can come along with a big price to pay with our energy and wellness.
Feng shui for your workspace can be the game-changer, turning your office space into a well-tuned sanctuary at a fundamental level that makes a huge shift in your days.
There is so much office feng shui rising to prominence that I do more one-on-one office consultations these days than ever before.
We spend a whole lot of time at work, and while this piece covers the stress that you may not realize is taking a toll, there’s way more office feng shui to explore. This is all foundational and so important, I wanted to dedicate some time to this topic and build this groundwork of a healthier workspace.
According to AIHA: “Working Americans spend about 2,000 hours per year in the workplace. All of these hours can take a toll on your eyes, back, arms, and neck.”
Yes, so let’s start with the simple and vital issue of ergonomics.
Ergonomics: This is considered to be the science of how a workplace is designed and structured. According to Merriam-Webster dictionary ergonomics are formally defined as “an applied science concerned with designing and arranging things people use so that the people and things interact most efficiently and safely.
Essentially, it’s feng shui flow on a science-backed level.
Poor ergonomics in the workplace can result in…
Neck Pain/Injury:
To prevent problems in your neck, make sure your computer screen is eye level in front of you. This can be done by either getting a desk that is the proper height to fit this criteria, or adjusting the height of your chair. Also, as Dr. Axe suggests, “…your arms should be resting on an adjustable armrest where the arms can comfortably reach the keyboard. Your feet should be flat on the floor with the back of the chair kept in an upright position.”
Musculoskeletal disorders:
These disorders are caused by repetition, poor posture, exposure to cold and affect your muscles, tendons and nerves.
What can you do to avoid this?
To prevent strain, take breaks where you engage in a physical activity. Get up from your desk and walk or stretch to relieve the stress in your body.
Also, alternate tasks if you can, to take a break from the same repetitive motions.
And… stand more! One awesome innovation in my own life is a standing desk feature that sits on tops of my vintage desk (a full post on standing desks is coming!!!) that has become a saving grace for my posture, energy levels and creative flow. I was offered a Ergotron Workfit-Z Mini to try, and it was such a gift from the universe that I can say without any obligation. Again, more to come on standing desks and all their benefits, but to start, let’s just say that standing up more in general is really important!
Eyestrain is another one of the more “hidden stresses.”
Eyestrain is fatigue of the eyes caused by reading for prolonged periods of time spent looking at a computer screen. Or, as my grandma would say when I sat too close to the TV because the old school TV’s were blurry and warped at a distance, “You’re gonna burn your eyes out!”
To defend against eyestrain make sure your computer screen is between 18 – 30 inches from your eyes. If there is a window next to your computer, place your monitor at a 90 degree angle to window. Also, never place your computer monitor directly in front of or behind a window. The glare caused by the light source can enhance eyestrain. (More on this is HERE)
The brightness and contrast of your computer monitor is also a factor that can contribute to eyestrain. According to UCLA Ergonomics, ” The monitor’s brightness should match the room brightness. Begin making adjustments by reducing glare from sources in the room such as windows and overhead lights. Use light switches, blinds, curtains, filters or remove bulbs as necessary. Then adjust the brightness control on the monitor somewhere close to the monitor’s mid-range if possible. After adjusting the brightness, set the contrast to a comfortable level. Usually, the higher the contrast the better.”
Screen Glare is yet another component of this problem.
The glare on your computer screen can cause eyestrain, which can cause fatigue, headaches, and dry eyes.
If you have a laptop you can easily move your computer to an area where the lighting causes minimal to no glare. But, most offices have desktop computers. There are a few ways to minimize the glare on these types of computers. If you are in front of behind a window it would be best to change your workstation to a place where the light source is coming directly from above. You can also use anti-glare filters for your monitor.
These tips for an Ergonomic Workstation are basic and yet so great!
Chemical cleaning products are another toxic situation.
While I had no control in offices over the products they used to clean, I would start every week by washing down my own workspace again with a spray of vinegar and water.
Ammonia is found in glass cleaners and polishing products for jewelry, bathroom faucets and sinks. People with asthma and other breathing problems should not inhale this substance, as it can exacerbate symptoms. When mixed with bleach it can also become a poisonous gas.
Also, the cleaner used to clean the keyboard of your computer is a gas that is compressed into a liquid and then canned, and when used improperly can be lethal. For example, if the can is tilted wrong, some of the liquid can seep out and if near power cords or flammable material can cause a flash fire. Other dangers of this type of product are frostbite if a steady stream makes contact with the skin, and asphyxiation and toxicity if used improperly in a poorly ventilated area. http://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/the-dangers-of-canned-air-2
HERE are some DIY ways to clean your monitor and keyboard.
This Natural Keyboard and Mouse cleaner is something I’m ready to try.
EMF exposure runs high in computer-filled office spaces.
Electromagnetic Fields, or EMF’s are invisible electrical and magnetic forces that take the form of waves and are a dangerous type of radiation. Examples of EMF producing devices are cell phones, iPads, televisions, radios, computers, Wi Fi, etc. These EMF’ s are dangerous because they can change the natural frequency of our body to resonate at an unhealthy frequency, thus creating unhealthy cells and tissue, and disease.
If you are using a laptop computer, do not place your computer on your lap when it is plugged in. Also, try to use a separate keyboard and mouse to keep your body away from the power source, which is the battery. (More on this HERE)
Try to gather and rearrange electrical power cords so they are away from your seating area – as far away from you as possible.
It is recommended that you spend minimal time around technology that emits EMFs, but as this is usually impossible at work, there are EMF protective shields that lessen the amount of exposure you have to harmful EMFs
Airestech has some great EMF protectors that are portable and can be placed on which ever device you are using at the moment. They sent me a bunch of EMF-blocking products that I have to say I am really feeling. If it’s the placebo effect, it’s working!
I have a shield pasted directly on my Wi-Fi router. I’ve noticed a change at home ever since I’ve added that, and my home is already full of plants, crystals and intention. Also, it’s more inviting to spend time in the room where the router is hidden.
I also have the DEFENDER (this one that looks like a thick credit card) resting on my laptop right now and I’m about to start carrying it with me in my purse. I am tracking the differences I feel and will do more on EMF blocking soon as well!
You can also try wearing an Orgonite pendant. I did a piece recently on my love of orgonite
You can learn more about laptop shields HERE.
And, of course, plants, plants and more plants keep your office lighter and more free of toxins all round!
Negativity is a huge toxin that drains our energy.
It has no place in productivity.
“Effective teamwork will not take the place of knowing how to do the job or how to manage the work. Poor teamwork, however, can prevent effective final performance. And it can also prevent team members from gaining satisfaction in being a member of a team and the organization.” ~Robert F. Bales
Employees should be treated with respect, as honest and fair adults without being singled out. Differences in treatment can erupt into negative chatter about the person or the organization.
As a manager, it is important that you always assume the best from your employees and show them that you trust them from the get go. If you do not trust them, they will pick up on your opinion and will not only perform sub-optimally, but they will resent you. This in turn could lead to negative chatter.
Allow employees the ability to voice their opinion about decisions being made and even try to include them in the decision making process. If they know they can have an open dialogue with their manager about their questions and concerns, they will be less likely to spew negativity and gossip around the office. This is a big deal, and if you’re in this situation, handle it as soon as possible. There’s more HERE.
Enjoy your time at work and stay revitalized and fueled by creativity as you do it!!!
xoxo!!!
Dana
P.S.: If you’re ready to take the energy around you to the next level, detox the negativity and make space for joy, the Joy Immersion: 30 Day Negativity Detox is here for you.
THE JOY IMMERSION is a commitment to happy-making, mirror-polishing, life-lifting and simple space shifting for 30 days. It’s loaded with lots of actions that can help you detox from your own negative stuff, uncover more of your greatness and light, and see happiness everywhere you look…!
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And, if you want to dive in to your own personalized feng shui in a modern, practical way, Say hello to Feng Shui 101. Its the guide I made for you to create your own personalized feng shui at home, in the office, wherever you may be… in 8 weeks. It’s not filled with strict rules or what you “must” do. Its filled with information, questions, exercises and even videos and classes to help you confidently create amazing spaces with killer feng shui and live with more flow. Learn more about the 8-week feng shui adventure & grab your copy to get started right HERE… And, as always, please let me know what happens!
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