Without permitting the physical environment, which includes the air quality, illumination, noise, and other variables that may be controlled, life is already stressful enough. You experience less daylight and more mood fluctuations, especially in the fall and winter.
The wonderful thing about environmental stress is that, for the most part, we have control over the factors in our surroundings that are creating it. Follow these five actions to get rid of environmental stressors that could be stressful for you at work and at home.
- Increase your activity levels when it’s daylight.
Natural light improves mood and supports the maintenance of a consistent internal body “clock.” The amount of natural daylight we receive significantly decreases, especially during the fall and winter. Try working next to a window if you’re indoors to let in as much natural light as you can. If your office has no windows, consider investing in a lamp that mimics natural sunshine. Due to the fact that they offer a natural sunshine spectrum for health and well-being, these lamps can aid in the treatment of seasonal affective disorder. In any situation, prolonged exposure to artificial lights may be a stressor on the environment. - Prohibit tobacco use.
Respiratory issues and other symptoms can result from prolonged exposure to tobacco smoke and its chemicals, which can be a persistent environmental stressor. - Consider how your furniture is set up.
Make sure your furniture is set up so you don’t feel confined. Always keep in mind that you work best in a calm setting. Are your furnishings set up in a way that invites frequent interruptions from guests? To focus more easily, achieve your objectives, and experience less stress, try to move your furniture out of the way of any potential guests. - Regularly replace your air or ventilation filters.
Ingredients from cleaning products, upholstery, carpets, adhesives, and chemicals are all around your office or house. Computers, printers, and copier machines all contribute to bad air quality. The inhabitants’ condition is made ten times worse by working in an office building where windows cannot be opened. Extreme exposure to these pollutants can make people physically ill, and even low amounts might result in symptoms like coughing, a scratchy throat, and burning eyes.
If you are worried about the office’s poor air quality, ask the building’s maintenance staff how frequently the air filters are changed. Most of the time, if you explain politely why you are worried, they will go out of their way to replace at least the filter near you. Additionally, to make your life simpler, you can get a personal air filtration kit at any appliance store. window openings at home to promote airflow. Change the air filter in your home frequently as well.
5. Bring the Green In, please.
My wife, Joy Fisher-Sykes, uses this phrase to describe how natural colors help us unwind. Your attitude and level of energy are affected by color. Most people think that the hues blue and green are quite calming. These might not be the hues that calm you personally. You select the colors that appeal to you the most and the amount of color that you feel comfortable wearing. For instance, while bright yellow tends to offend me, it can be perfect for someone else. Try several color combinations to see which ones help you feel less stressed.
Keep in mind that you can adjust each of these environmental factors to your advantage. Simply identify what relieves your tension and start doing that.
