happiness

The One Thing Employees Need Most to Be Happy

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window blind interior decoration

In a recent survey, 1,614 North American employees were asked what they felt they needed in order to be happy at work. Did they need a fitness center? Special ergonomic chairs? An onsite cafeteria? Onsite childcare?

Survey results indicated that respondents were certainly interested in those kinds of perks. But the one thing that they wanted most of all was more simple and basic – natural light. Over 50% of the respondents felt that natural light and a view of the outside world were the most important things to them. These features made them feel happier, more satisfied with their workplace, more committed to their work, and more productive.

Previous research studies have also shown that natural light is important. People who are exposed to natural light tend to feel healthier. They’re less likely to suffer from eye strain and headaches. In addition, they’re more alert during the day, they sleep better at night, and they’re more effective at their jobs.

So what should you do if your office doesn’t have a window? Take regular breaks and go outside – even if it’s only for five or ten minutes. Being outside will do wonders for you, even on cloudy days! You could also consider getting yourself a special bright light lamp. They produce a bright, glare-free white light that can help to boost your mood.

 

Fukuchi, M. (2017, April 11). How to survive in a windowless workplace. Quill.com. Retrieved from: https://www.quill.com/blog/tutorials/how-to-survive-a-windowless-workplace.html

Meister, J.C. (2018, September 3). The #1 officer perk? Natural light. Harvard Business Review. Retrieved from: https://hbr.org/2018/09/the-1-office-perk-natural-light

Singh, P. (2018, September 12). What’s the no.1 office perk? Entrepreneur. Retrieved from: https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/319975

 

How to Feel Better

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Happy_Dog

If you’ve been having a hard time lately, and you’re feeling stressed or unhappy, there are always things you can do to make yourself feel better. Author Kate Cutruzzula watched a series of TED Talks on happiness and fulfillment. Based on what she learned, she offers the following suggestions:

  • Focus on the positive – If you start your workday by thinking that it’s going to be terrible, you unfortunately increase the likelihood of it being terrible. Try to catch yourself when you have these types of negative thoughts – and instead think of things that you’re looking forward to that day. They can be small things, like enjoying your morning coffee or cuddling with your dog. If you can get into the habit of focusing on the positive, it can help to make your day a little bit brighter.
  • Try to see the good things that have resulted from a bad situation – We all have to deal with challenging things. Life can really beat you up sometimes. But if you can recognize the ways that you’ve emerged from those challenges better or stronger, you’ll turn those bad situations into triumphs.
  • Focus on other people – When you’re dealing with difficult situations, your mind can sometimes feel cluttered with unhappy thoughts. If you find this happening, try distracting yourself by focusing on other people. Talk to friends or coworkers, and ask them to tell you more about what’s going on in their lives. They’ll appreciate your interest, and listening to their stories will help to distract you from your own problems.
  • Think about the things that you love – What do you truly love? Gardening? Writing? Adventure? Your pet? Your mom? Think about those things and remember that you’re always surrounded by them.

 

Cutruzzula, K. (2018, April 3). How to be more hopeful. IDEAS.TED.COM. Retrieved from: https://ideas.ted.com/how-to-be-more-hopeful/

The Relationship Between Work and Happiness

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Happy_at_work

What makes us happy?

I think a lot of us believe that we can find happiness if we work hard, accomplish our goals, and become successful in our careers. But according to psychologist Shawn Achor, we’ve got things backwards.

He claims that work can’t make us happy. However, happiness can make us more productive, creative, and successful at work.

Watch his informative and entertaining TED Talk to learn more about the relationship between work and happiness.

Learn From Your Cat

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Happy_Cat

Cats are pretty impressive. They’re often so naughty and destructive – and yet so adorable. So even if your cat knocks something breakable onto the floor, it’s hard to stay mad for long. Cats know what they’re doing. They make the most of their big eyes and fluffy good looks.

I have a cat named Gizmo. He decided to move in with me a few months ago. I’m kind of allergic to cats and I really didn’t want a pet, but Gizmo was very determined.

He’s cute, cuddly, loveable, and slowly destroying my couch by using it as his scratching post. He’s a mixed bag. But according to author Sabrina Kamaruddin, there’s a lot I can learn from Gizmo. She believes that cats have things to teach us about how to be happy and successful.

Here’s what you can learn from your feline friend…

  1. You should ask for what you want – Cats don’t hesitate to ask for what they want. If they want food or attention, they will certainly let you know. And you should be the same way. Don’t be afraid to ask for the things you need to be more engaged at work and do your job better.
  2. It’s good to be independent – Cats get things done, even when they’re alone. When I’m at work, Gizmo eats, sleeps, plays with his toys, and scratches my couch. He’s very productive! You should try to follow his example. It’s great to be able to work well with your coworkers, but it’s also important to be able to work independently.
  3. Don’t be too much of a “people pleaser” – Cats generally aren’t very interested in pleasing their owners. They’re more interested in pleasing themselves. And I don’t think that’s entirely a good thing. You shouldn’t ignore the needs of the people around you. But you also shouldn’t ignore the things that you want or need in your efforts to please others. It’s important to find a good balance!
  4. You should explore new things – Cats are inquisitive. And you should be, too! Don’t be afraid to explore new ideas, techniques, and ways of getting things done.
  5. Don’t let your critics get you down – Cats are pretty self-confident. Even when you scold them, they just brush it off. Try to be like your cat, and develop a similar level of self-confidence. When you get critical feedback, listen to what the person has to say and make adjustments accordingly. But try not to take it personally. And don’t let it get you down.

 

Kamaruddin, S. (n.d.). 5 self-empowerment lessons I learned from my cats. Leaderonomics. Retrieved from https://leaderonomics.com/leadership/5-self-empowerment-lessons-i-learned-from-my-cats

 

Chitchat Your Way to Happiness

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Small_Talk

Work can sometimes be all-consuming. When you’re on a particularly demanding project, it can eat up all of your time and energy. And when you’re feeling exhausted, you might not be up for making small talk with the person who works at the front desk of your building or the person who regularly takes your lunch order. But this would actually be a bit of a shame, because recent research suggests that small talk is beneficial to you.

Several research studies have indicated that when we make small talk with the people around us (including the people we sit next to on a train or stand beside in a grocery store line), it improves our mood. Chitchatting makes us feel more connected and supported. Even though these interactions are sometimes superficial, it still makes us (and the people we talk to) feel happier.

In my experience, I think this rings true. I’m sort of shy, so when I’m interacting with strangers, I mostly stick with “hi” and “thank you.” But I like it when someone gets chatty with me. It’s fun and memorable. I remember trying on a pair of boots in a shoe store, and a fellow shopper told me that I should buy them because I looked “fierce.” This made me laugh. (And yes, I bought the boots.)

So even if you’re feeling tired and bogged down with work, try smiling at the people around you and maybe even making a little small talk. It might make your hard day a little easier.

 

Wallace, J. B. (2016, September 30). The benefits of a little small talk. The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved from http://www.wsj.com/articles/the-benefits-of-a-little-small-talk-1475249737

Working From Home – How to Be Happier and Get More Done

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Working_in_Pajamas

Working from home is a great idea for a lot of people. When commutes are impossibly long, and work can be done remotely, it just makes sense. But working from home does present certain challenges. Distractions are everywhere, it can be hard to stay motivated, and loneliness can be a big problem.

So if you work from home, what types of things can you do to be happier and more productive? Here are a few suggestions.

  • Stick to a schedule – Plan out your day, and then try to stick to it. If you decide that you’re going to start working at 9:00 a.m., make sure you’re at your desk by that time. And plan to take breaks as well! Taking occasional breaks will make you feel more energized and productive.
  • Get out of the house at least once a day – Sure, it’s a wonderful thing to not have to change out of your pajamas. But it’s actually good for your mental health to go outside at least once a day. Taking a short walk around the block or running a quick errand will make you feel more accomplished and less isolated.
  • Get some exercise –Sitting at a desk all day is hard on your body. If you rarely move, you can easily end up feeling stiff and achy. Exercise can help to alleviate that problem. It’s also an excellent way to relieve stress.
  • Try not to get upset about the fact that you may sometimes be overlooked – People who work from home run the risk of being overlooked. Since you’re not in the office every day, it may not always be obvious to your coworkers how much effort your work takes. This may result in your receiving less praise and recognition than you deserve. Keeping in close communication with your boss and coworkers can help to make this situation better.

 

Buckholtz, A. (2016, September 22). How to work remotely without losing motivation. Harvard Business Review. Retrieved from https://hbr.org/2016/09/how-to-work-remotely-without-losing-motivation

The Power of Nature

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Happy_With_Nature

I have a lot of plants in my office. They just keep multiplying – so much so that I’ve run out of counter space to put them on. Several of them just sit in a row on the floor. I must admit that it’s not the best look. But I feel OK about it, because I’ve recently learned that my ever-expanding plant family is more than just unattractive office decor. They’re a mood enhancer!

Recent research has shown that when employees have direct or indirect exposure to sunlight, and when they have contact with nature, they feel happier, more relaxed, more satisfied with their work, and more engaged. The strongest link to increased happiness was associated with sunlight exposure. But even a potted plant was enough to increase employees’ feelings of well-being.

So if you can, bring a little nature into your workspace. It could help to reduce your stress, and make you feel happier and more engaged in your work!

 

Suttie, J. (2016, July 18). Why your office needs more nature. The Huffington Post. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/greater-good-science-center/why-your-office-needs-mor_b_11057648.html

 

Make the Office a Happy Place

By in Leadership, Living Well No Comments Tags: ,

Happy_at_the_office

Most employees spend a big chunk of their lives at the office. So, of course, you want the office to be a happy place! Happy employees are more engaged, creative, and productive. They’re content in their work and unlikely to seek a new position at another company.

So how can leaders create a happy work environment? Here are five suggestions:

  1. Provide training opportunities – Give your employees the opportunity to learn, grow, and expand their skill sets.
  2. Promote from within – Help employees who want to become managers to develop their leadership skills and take on these types of responsibilities.
  3. Be flexible – Allow your employees to decide how they should get their work done. In most instances, the way in which employees get work done is not really important, as long as they’re meeting deadlines and producing quality work. So give your employees room to breathe, and try not to micromanage.
  4. Reward excellence – When employees produce excellent work, acknowledge and reward their efforts.
  5. View diversity as a benefit – Having people on your team with different backgrounds, opinions, and skill sets is a huge asset. So be open to their ideas and feedback. Your employees will know that their ideas are valued, and it will make your team stronger.

 

Lawrence, D. (2016). Don’t worry, be happy. Talent Development, 70(7), 60-64.

How to Be Happier at Work

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HappyFaces

Are you happy at work? If you are, that’s wonderful! If you’re not… well, you’re not alone. According to a 2013 Gallup poll, unhappy employees far outweigh the happy ones.

Sometimes work is difficult and exhausting. Feelings of stress, uncertainty, and frustration can get anyone down. But no matter what your situation is, there are steps you can take to make things better. You CAN be happier at work! Here’s how:

  • Start things off right – People who are in a good mood in the morning tend to feel happier (and be more productive) over the course of the day. So start off your day on a happy note by doing something that you enjoy. Take the time to really savor your cup of coffee or hot chocolate. Or take a quick walk around the block and breathe the fresh air. Do something nice for yourself in the morning, and it will have a lasting, beneficial effect.
  • Don’t make so many decisions – People who are asked to make a lot of decisions throughout the day can often end up feeling drained and unhappy. If you’re in this situation, try to lighten the load. Eat the same things for breakfast and lunch throughout the week so that you don’t have to think about it. Wear the same basic outfit every day. And if there are minor decisions that need to be made, delegate them to someone else.
  • Help your coworkers – Spend a little time every day helping out your coworkers. Help with a challenging task, share your snacks, or go get them some medicine when they’ve got a headache. Helping others will make you happy – and it will cheer up your coworkers, too!
  • Think about the progress that you’ve made – At the beginning of the day, write down a few, small things that you’d like to accomplish. And then, as you get those things done and can cross them off your list, you’ll feel really good. Nothing improves morale and makes people happier than the feeling of moving forward and making progress.
  • Try to remember the good things – It’s really easy to obsess over the negative things that happen at work. It’s harder to remember the good, funny, positive things that happen. So try to make a point of thinking about the good things – especially things that you’re grateful for. You can even make a small list of the positive things that happen each day. Research indicates that people who do this tend to feel happier about their lives and more optimistic about what’s to come.

 

Kogan, N. (2014, November 17). 5 scientifically proven ways to be happier at work. Time. Retrieved from http://time.com/3589837/5-scientifically-proven-ways-to-be-happier-at-work/

Rampton, J. (2014, December 1). 15 proven tips to be happy at work. Inc. Retrieved from http://www.inc.com/john-rampton/15-proven-tips-to-be-happy-at-work.html

 

Experiences Are Better Than Things

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Hiking

The weekend is almost here, and let’s imagine that you have a certain amount of money to burn. What should you spend it on? A new possession? Or some sort of experience? What would make you happiest?

Of course everyone is different, and we all find happiness in different ways. But generally, possessions don’t tend to make people very happy. Although getting a new gadget or pair of shoes might be satisfying, it’s not likely to fill most people with lasting feelings of joy. We get used to our physical possessions, and they stop giving us pleasure over time. They just become part of our everyday lives.

Research indicates that happiness is much more likely to result from experiences – like going to the movies, taking a class, volunteering, going out to lunch, or taking a day trip. Experiences are more fulfilling than things. We feel happy as we look forward to the event, during the event, and even after the event. Experiences give us happy memories to look back on. They also give us good stories to tell – and sharing stories with friends is another pleasurable thing. Your friends probably don’t have a huge amount of interest in hearing about the item you just bought, but they will want to hear about the wacky things that happened on your latest hiking expedition.

So before you spend your money on some sort of physical item, consider spending it on an experience instead. Even though the experience is fleeting, it’s more likely to provide you with lasting happiness.

 

Hamblin, J. (2014, October 7). Buy experiences, not things. The Atlantic. Retrieved from http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2014/10/buy-experiences/381132/

 

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