Change your environment to energize you

Now that's you've taken a closer look at your environment to understand how it affects you, the next step is to make it work for you. There are some things you can't control, and that's why you can "snack" on energy boosting activities to counteract the draining effects of things you can't change.

What about the things you can change? Here's a list of ideas on how you can tweak your environment so that it has more of a positive impact on your energy levels.

• listen to enjoyable music with headphones, surround sound or just turn on the radio
• put up pictures of soothing vacation destinations, role models that inspire you, or loved ones and pets around you in your office
• tape reminders to your computer moniter to "breathe" or "take a break"
• shut your office door for a couple of minutes, or hours
• add a plant to your desk or working area to provide oxygen and trigger relaxation
• choose soft or comforting fabrics to wear while working
• take the train to work instead of driving, so you can relax on the way to & from by reading, listening to music on your ipod, and people watching
• play nature sounds in the background or set up one of those small water fountains
• burn incense or light a scented candle (or wear aromatherapy perfume if you can't burn anything)
• substitute herbal tea for coffee and enjoy not only the taste but the aromas
• bring a book of jokes to work and take a joke break and share laughs with others
• clean up all the clutter, find everything in your office a home, and throw out the rest
• put a natural incandescent light bulb in a lamp on or near your desk
• set your computer background to something peaceful and soothing
• change your route to work so that it goes through a park or avoids a major intersection or construction site
• use a fan for background white noise
• put your phone on "Do Not Disturb" for periods of time throughout your day so you can focus on projects
• put a "Do Not Disturb" sign up on your office door (especially if you work from home and there is family around who might want to interrupt you)
• find something to appreciate about the person at work who gets under your skin the most

What will soothe and energize you?

 As published in Urban Vitality: http://urbanvitality.blogspot.com/2007/07/change-your-environment-to-energize-you.html