5 Ways to Improve Workplace Happiness
Are you happy at work? If the answer to that question isn’t an emphatic yes, it may be time to consider a change of scenery. It’s difficult to be happy in any environment that isn’t right for you, and while it may appear that you don’t have much control over your office environment, there are many steps you can take every day to increase your happiness at work. Here are five simple methods for finding workplace happiness.
Take Time to Relax
When you’re working long hours, it can feel like there’s never enough time in a day. Unfortunately, many people take their stress home with them and let it affect their personal lives. To truly find happiness at work, you need to relax and stay energized. Take small breaks throughout the day, not just at lunch, and schedule downtime to spend with your family and friends (yes, even if your work is all-consuming). Don’t let work stress become more than a part of life; when left unchecked, it can quickly take over everything else. Instead of setting unattainable goals or working 16-hour days without taking breaks, consider what makes you happy and incorporate those elements into your daily routine.
Take Time for Exercise
Many of us spend an entire day in a sedentary position, getting up only to go home and eat dinner. Staying active while you’re working can keep you focused and content—not only will it help keep stress at bay, but it also gives your mind a break from work so that when you’re back in front of your computer screen, you won’t feel overwhelmed by email or meetings. And if your job requires sitting for extended periods of time, try breaking up your day with small bursts of activity. A quick walk around your office every hour or so can make all the difference in how energized and positive you feel during your shift.
Build Relationships With Your Coworkers
While we spend a big portion of our life at work, it is critical that we have people in our lives with whom we feel connected. Strong relationships with your coworkers can help boost happiness and job satisfaction because you’ll have more support, someone, with whom you can vent and celebrate your accomplishments. On top of that, being friendly with coworkers can also help get you what you want at work. For example, if you want a particular promotion or project, having supportive relationships in place can make it much easier to obtain it.
Spend Time Outside
There’s a reason people say work and play don’t mix, and that they’re two different worlds. Work can take over your brain if you spend all of your time thinking about it. In fact, even if you enjoy what you do for a living, it might feel like work when it dominates your day-to-day thinking. Spending time outside of work can help relieve some of that pressure, as well as reenergize you for whatever tasks lie ahead when you get back inside. It will also help balance out any negative emotions that may have built up during your hectic day. An invigorated mind will help keep fatigue from taking over.
Improve Workplace Happiness by Laughing More
When was the last time you had a good belly laugh? Laughter, according to research, can enhance your mood and help you manage stress. This may make it easier for you to focus. The next time something strikes you as funny, go ahead and share it with your co-workers; try smiling more often during meetings. Also, keep a positive attitude and take things less seriously. If things aren’t going well one day, shift your focus onto something that’s making you happy—like a weekend getaway or an upcoming holiday—to see if it helps brighten your day and boost your overall mood. Laughter is contagious and even if everyone else in your office has given up on being happy at work, you don’t have to follow suit.
Improving Workplace Happiness
If you’re not happy at work, it may be time to consider a change of scenery. There are many ways you can increase your happiness at work. Consider what makes you happy and incorporate those elements into your daily routine. Staying active while you’re working can help keep you focused and content. Build relationships with your coworkers to help boost happiness and job satisfaction.
Laughter, according to research, can enhance your mood and help you manage stress. Spending time outside of work can help relieve some of that pressure and reenergize you for whatever tasks lie ahead.
Additional Resource: Happiness Starts With You Course
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