By Lisa Vescio, Mindful Business Matters
More of us are working from home now. Initially this was thought to be a temporary measure, however it is proving to be a moveable feast. Research published in feast.com found that a colossal 60 percent of the UK’s adult population are currently working from home during the Coronavirus lockdown and twopercent of Brits plan to continue to work from home permanently or occasionally after the restrictions ease.
Being mindful of your business doesn’t just include managing the operational elements of your company. It is also ensuring that your workspace supports your productivity and helps manage your mind and that of your staff. It is therefore essential for one to accept that working from home is a longer-term strategy and put things in place to make the working environment as comfortable as possible.
A 2011 study by the Princeton University Neuroscience Institute found that clutter actually affects your ability to focus and process information. Simply having clutter in plain sight overstimulates the brain. Decision-making requires energy and is a limited resource. When your brain is inundated with visual stimuli, it is more difficult to make decisions.
Researchers at UCLA’s Centre on Everyday Lives and Families found a link between high cortisol (stress hormone) levels in female home owners and a high density of household objects. Having more things can mean having more stress.
Working in an organised space is shown to reduce stress, decrease irritability and distractions, and increase productivity and the ability to process information. Feng Shui, the ancient Chinese art, is known to have been around for over 6000 years and involves creating a space that’s harmonious with the environment. It literally means “wind” (Feng) and “water” (Shui).
With Feng Shui, objects in a room are arranged according to the flow of natural energy. The concept also involves using colours, materials, and the layout of a space to create a favourable ambience.
You may not be fortunate enough to have a separate office space in your home, so it is important to make sure your workspace is managed effectively. You can employ Feng Shui principles in even the slightest spaces for example, organising your desk, clear any clutter and file as you go. Desks made of wood and metal are known to symbolise stability and peak performance. Introduce water and plant elements. If there is no room on your desk or in your work area you can add these to your PC desktop.
Experts believe incorporating water features and plants into your workspace can creative positive energy and where possible, use natural light from windows. Yellow-tinted and fluorescent lighting can bring about fatigue. If you must use artificial light, opt for incandescent, full-spectrum light bulbs. If you don’t buy into the principle of Feng Sui, then you may simply like to consider that old saying. ‘Tidy house, tidy mind’.
After all, a home office environment that is inviting, organised, and aesthetically appealing can make work more enjoyable and increase productivity. Keep it clear, keep it calm and keep it productive!
