Where you work affects how you work. Working in a cluttered, messy, or distracting environment will affect your work, and probably in a negative way. If you're like the average knowledge worker, you spend most of your time sitting in front of a computer screen.
The key to being more productive is literally right in front of you. Look around: is your desk conducive to reaching productivity zen? A lot of research has focused on the benefits and detriments of the stimuli (or lack thereof) in your work environment, and how they're subsequently affecting your output.
When you spend hours at your desk every day, even the smallest features of your workspace-such as the position of your monitor or the height of your chair-can greatly affect your productivity and even your health. Here's what science says about the best way to set up...
When you spend hours at your desk every day, even the smallest features of your workspace – such as the position of your monitor or the height of your chair– can greatly affect your productivity an...
The best kind of light you can have in your office is natural light. It helps our bodies maintain our internal "clocks" or circadian rhythms which affects our sleep and energy.
Poor lighting, whether it's dim lighting or harsh lighting from overhead fluorescent lights, can cause eye strain, stress, and fatigue.
Don't sit with your back to a window unless you can shade it.
Don't sit facing a window because that will make reading a monitor difficult.
If you use a task lamp at your desk, position it so the bottom of the lampshade is at about the height of your chin when it's on.
Indoor plants prevent fatigue during attention-demanding work.
Even just having a window view of live greenery can be restorative and keep us focused.
A peace lily plant requires little sunlight to survive and you only have to water it when the soil is dried out and is also great for cleaning the air.
Cacti and aloe plants are other low-maintenance plants to consider.