Whether you are an astronaut at NASA or an accountant in the government, workplace fatigue is something that strikes us all. To be elated to go to work each day and stay engaged for a full eight hours? It’s unrealistic, but that’s not to say there aren’t a couple of things you can do to boost your productivity and give you some energy. Let’s discuss how we can combat these familiar feelings and get to Friday a little bit quicker.
Coffee, coffee and more coffee
Coffee really is the sponsor to our work, and you only really need a mug or two to get your synapses firing and leading to an enjoyable day. Many offices have noticed the power of a good crema, which is why from New York to Brisbane, coffee machines are here to stay. Bringing a quality machine in-house will have you and your employees working to a high level, but also feel valued and supported by their employers who are extending such a generous perk.
Get moving
This is such a simple one, but we all tend to forget how much of an impact it makes to get the blood pumping by moving your body. Not only does it energise the body, but it enhances your mood by changing your surroundings and removing yourself from a task that might be causing the fatigue in the first place. Moving your body will bring you back to your work with a new perspective and appetite for work.
Abide by and encourage a work/life balance
For many organisations, chasing a work/life balance can feel unattainable, but it doesn’t have to be. Workplace habits start from the top, so by leaving on time and sticking to healthy work guidelines, your employees will feel empowered to do the same. Adequate rest and distance from the workplace will be critical to the output of your work, eliminating the chance of fatigue.
Find out if there is a root cause
Beyond the environmental factors, are there any issues with the workload, office layout and structure that can be addressed to improve productivity and reduce fatigue. Stress can have an enormous impact on our moods and output. Simply sit down with your employees and hear why they are feeling burnt out, what they wish they could do less of, and brainstorm alternatives. You may find that an office layout change or a redistribution of tasks and priorities may actually stop the spread of fatigue and get the wheels turning again.
Contribute to the health of your employees
If you really want to play a part in the mental and physical health of your employees, contribute to it by enhancing their environment. You can do this by investing in quality office desks and chairs, offering communal fruit bowls, and health/wellbeing programs that can e assessed by all. There are some companies that even opt into a fitness program so that they can provide gym discounts to their employees.
Create an atmosphere
If you feel like you can’t engineer the mood of your employees, work on the things you can control. New and coveted offices always share one thing in common – there is a fantastic atmosphere that teams want to spend time being a part of. After all, we spend more time at work than we do at home. You can do this in a number of ways like adding plants to the office, a connected speaker system, and an immersive kitchen and dining space for teams to relax, socialise and collaborate.
It’s time to reframe the way you view work and start to make changes that will yield the greatest benefit. Chances are you will not be able to see the benefit of these changes right away, but this is a lifestyle shift rather than a bandaid. If at any point you want to assess how you are going with this strategy – ask your team. They are on the frontline and should be consulted so that you get the best results and can banish fatigue.