10 Tips for Staying Happy at Work
If you find yourself longing for greener work pastures, don’t immediately go looking for the first exit ramp off of your chosen career path. Try these 10 tips for staying content at work:
1. Keep Personal Problems Personal
When you’re preoccupied with personal issues, it’s difficult to concentrate or be happy at work. By all means, make sure you have your kids covered in the event of an emergency, but realize that nobody’s personal life is ever going to be completely problem-free. Just as you need to let go of work to enjoy your time at home, it’s important to leave personal worries at home so you can focus and be productive at work.
2. Create an Office Nest
If you have to travel to your job, chances are it’s not as cozy as your home. And considering you likely spend more time working than you do sleeping, why not tailor your physical surroundings to your needs? Make your space your own, decorate your area within the limits of company policy, and make yourself as comfortable and relaxed as you can be in your office.
3. Develop an Office Support System
Find your people. Hang out with coworkers who share your values and interests. This can take a lot of pressure off you at work. Being able to share your feelings and concerns with people who understand definitely helps to minimize stress.
4. Eat Healthy and Drink Lots of Water
When you feel good physically, you’ll see a big difference in your energy level and attitude. Drink a lot of water (not just coffee) and maintain a health diet.
5. Be Organized
Create a manageable schedule to handle your workload. When you accomplish something, you’ll feel empowered, no matter how small of a win it was. On the other hand, if you feel overwhelmed, you’ll be more dissatisfied on the job. Being proactive and getting your tasks in order can lead to greater satisfaction, more confidence, and motivation.
6. Move Around
Working in an office can mean sitting at a desk for prolonged periods, so it’s important to both your health and your happiness to take time during your workday to stretch your legs and take a walk or two.
7. Don’t Try to Change Your Coworkers
If you have an annoying coworker or a micromanaging boss, there’s little you can do to change their behaviors. But you can change how you respond to them. As much as possible, don’t let other people’s actions affect you. Look to resolve conflicts and avoid uncomfortable situations.
8. Reward Yourself
Identify a reward outside of your job, and indulge yourself. Whether it be dinner with friends, a movie, exercise, or a manicure, treat yourself every once in awhile. Just as stress from home can interfere with work, the positive aspects of your life can influence mood at work as well.
9. Take a Breather
If you’re so inclined, take a literal breather. Stand with your feet together and your arms at your sides. Inhale deeply, then exhale and bend forward. Try to do this movement 10 times.
10. Focus on the Positive
Find the things that bring you joy at work, even if those things are as simple as your coworkers or the nice view from the conference room window. You’re in charge of your own mindset. Steering yourself toward the positives can help make your job more enjoyable. Fussing about the negatives may cause you to become burned out.
