| Your surroundings may be increasing your stress levels.
Life is stressful enough without allowing the physical environment - air quality, lighting, noise, and other controllable factors - to intensify day-to-day stress. These ten steps can help you eliminate environmental stressors that might be increasing stress and tension in your work and home life.
1. Try to carry out some of your daily activities in natural light. Natural light elevates the mood and helps maintain a regular internal body "clock". If you're indoors, try working next to a window and allow as much sunlight as possible to enter your space. Prolonged exposure to artificial lighting can be a subtle, often unrecognized, stressor.
2. Be sure you have adequate ventilation or air filters in the areas where you spend most time. Organic compounds found in cleaning supplies, upholstery, carpeting, adhesives, and in chemicals for devices such as copy machines all contribute to poor air quality. In extreme cases, individuals may become physically ill from these pollutants, and even moderate doses can cause coughing, a scratchy, burning throat, and other symptoms. If you are concerned about poor air quality, take steps to increase ventilation rates or install air cleaning systems. At home, open the windows frequently to allow air circulation.
3. Ban tobacco smoke. Exposure to the toxins in tobacco smoke can be a chronic environmental stressor and lead to respiratory problems and other symptoms.
4. Evaluate your furniture arrangement. Are you constantly tripping over pieces in the way, or do you feel cramped? Is there an area where you can relax, or work effectively without distraction? Decide what you need, what you like, and eliminate unnecessary items that only contribute to a feeling of crowdedness or that are in the way. You don't have to use everything you own, particularly if the result is a stressful, cramped atmosphere.
5. Consider the effect of color on your mood and energy level. It's a very individual choice, but decide on the amount of color you're comfortable with and the shades that most appeal to you. For example, some people associate the color red with feelings of anger or aggression; if this is the case, red might not be a good choice for a working area that requires calm and concentration. Try to find colors that minimize stress and worry for you.
6. Regulate the air humidity to a level that's comfortable for you. Too-dry or very humid air can be uncomfortable and even produce physical symptoms. Dehumidifiers can help rainforest-like rooms feel more livable, and dry rooms often need a few plants (water evaporates from the plants and their soil) to provide a bit of moisture.
7. De-clutter. Be brutally honest about what's essential, and remove all papers, magazines, piles of junk, and other unneeded objects that have taken up permanent residence in your space. Not only is the result more visually pleasing and relaxing, but you'll avoid the stress of constantly searching for important items among the excess.
8. Reduce background noise. Voluntary (TV, radio) and involuntary (coworkers, ringing phones) sources of background noise can be low-level stressors that take their toll over time on our moods and energy. Do what you can to reduce background and unwanted noise. Use partitions, floor and window coverings, insulation, or create quiet rooms and areas for important tasks.
9. Design your computer workstation to reduce the risk of repetitive strain injury, eye strain, back pain, and other uncomfortable symptoms. Offices adhering to good ergonomic principles have less employee stress and increased productivity.
10. Create a personal zone at home or at work for emotional "retreats". If physical boundaries aren't possible, arrange plants, books, furniture, or other items to produce a feeling of privacy. This area can be as small as your desk or a favorite chair. Use this area for thinking and carrying out important tasks whenever possible. Make this area as energizing and mood-lifting for you as you can.
Source: http://stress.about.com/cs/ergonomics/a/aa072401.htm |
