10 Smart Tips for a Green and Healthy Office

March 12th, 2013 by Loretta Lanphier, NP, BCTN, CN, CH, HHP

10 Smart Tips for a Green and Healthy Office

If you are spending at least one half of your day in an office setting, then a healthy office environment is just as important to your health as your home environment.  Although we usually have little control over the buildings in which we work, being aware of environmental concerns that can affect our health and well-being will enable us to take counter-measures to create stimulating, nurturing and healthy office environments.  Below are 10 smart tips for a green and healthy office that will help to provide a healthy office environment that is balanced, green and conducive to well-being and health. These tips for a healthy office will ultimately benefit not only you, but also your co-workers.

10 Smart Tips for a Green and Healthy Office

1)  Ergonomically Correct Chair

Many lower back injuries as well as neck injuries begin from poor posture and inadequate sitting practices. These injuries usually begin with your office chair. Make sure that your office chair is comfortable and has adjustable height and arms.  When you are sitting straight (shoulders back and chin up) with feet flat on the floor your arms should be at a 90-degree angle when typing on the computer.  If you are having to strain or stretch to reach your computer then you are putting stress on the back and shoulder area.  Ergonomically correct chairs can certainly be expensive, but in the long run it will cost much less than spending time at the chiropractor or physical therapist.

2)  Live Green Plants

Live plants do more than just enhance the beauty of your surroundings, many actually clean pollutants out of the air as they add oxygen and humidity to the indoor environment. New findings suggest, however, that they may add more than just color and interest. They also filter the air, and can fight against the common high-tech ill, sick building disease. Recent research undertaken by the NASA Space Administration in America has yielded some very interesting results. In a test lasting two years conducted by Dr. B.C. Wolverton at the Stennis Space Centre in Mississippi it was discovered that common houseplants are capable of converting chemical air pollutants into harmless substances. Ivy, one of the smallest of houseplants, does an excellent job of cleaning the air of toxins, especially benzene and TCE. The humble potted Chrysanthemum is another goodie. You can place a number of plants around your office or make up a high scoring clean-air cocktail by adding such plants as Peace Lilies and Parlour Palms. Better still are various forms of Dracaena, Dracaena Warnecki and Dracaena Janet Craig are real pollutant sucking types. Chinese Evergreen and theOAWHealth Natural Health Store humble Philoderdron are also two plants to consider.

3)  Lighting

Studies suggest that natural light increases human productivity and reduces fatigue and stress. By simply replacing your antiquated fluorescent tubes with full-spectrum tubes, you can instantly enhance your environment and your well-being!  Full spectrum lighting emits a natural, balanced spectrum of light that is the closest you can get to sunlight indoors.  Based on years of study not only do they bring out true, vibrant colors but they can also ease eye fatigue, improve your mood, reduce cortisol (stress hormone) levels, slow aging of the retina and reduce glare.

4)  Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is the practice of using volatile plant oils, including essential oils, for psychological and physical well-being.  Not only does the aroma of the natural essential oil stimulate the brain to trigger a reaction, but the natural constituents (naturally occurring chemicals) of the essential oil are drawn into the lungs and can also supply physical benefit.  Aromatherapy can help with physical conditions, can help with symptoms, can affect your mood, or help alleviate or temporarily eliminate stress or other psychological factors.  Scenting your office with Lavender essential oil is said to reduce computer errors at least 25%.  The following is a good blend to use in the office (must have an aromatherapy diffuser):  2 drops of lemon, orange or bergamot; 2 drops of grapefruit; 1 drop ylang ylang, rose or neroli.  Multiply your blend by 4 to obtain a total of 20 drops of your chosen blend. Add your oils to a dark colored glass bottle and mix well by rolling the bottle in between your hands. Add the appropriate number of drops from your created blend to your diffuser by following the manufacturer’s instructions.  There are also many “recipes” on the Internet to use during the cold and flu season when “office-air” can be extremely contagious.

5)  Air Quality

The EPA informs us that 6 out of 10 buildings are “sick” and that indoor air quality is the United States’ number one environmental health problem.  A recent study by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture found that ionizing a room led to 52% less dust in the air, and 95% less bacteria in the air (since many of the pollutants found in the air reside on floating dust particles). The U.S.D.A. also performed another study to test the effectiveness of negative ionization at removing airborne Salmonella Enteritidis. The negative ions drastically reduced the airborne salmonella particles, prompting the following statement from the USDA.  I recommend a negative ion air purifier for the office setting.  These units are small enough to fit on a credenza or desk and are very modestly priced.

6)  EMF Protection

Detrimental energies from electromagnetic fields emitted from high tension wires, industrial radar, microwave beams, electrical current, WIFI, computers, cell phones, televisions, fluorescent lights and other electrical appliances have been found to be dangerous to mental and physical health.  When an individual sleeps or works for extensive periods within electromagnetic frequency zones, these energies create a constant source of stress (altering body polarity) which can lead to fatigue, frustration, tension and illness.  Signs of exposure may include drowsiness, chronic aches and pains, sleep disorders, irritability, low energy and general malaise and may eventually lead to more serious health situations.  These highly disruptive energy fields actually numb or dull our sense perceptions and adversely impacts brain wave activity.  Studies have also shown electromagnetic fields (EMF) to induce mild depression in many subjects with the disruption of melatonin, dopamine, and serotonin levels.  There are many devices that can be used in the office or put on the computer that will give EMF protection.

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7)  Colors

Color therapy has its roots in ancient Egypt.  Scientific studies recognize that colors bring about emotional reactions to individuals. Our reactions and attitudes to colors differ from person to person. That color affects us all is an undoubted fact. Its significance has been investigated and the results utilized in merchandizing, selling, home decorating, the workplace environment, industry, plant growth, nutrition, physics, physiology, psychology, ecclesiasticism and art. In fact, color is so much a part of our lives that we tend to take it for granted.  Colors that are useful in the office are:  orange – stimulates creativity; yellow – intensifies the intellect and heightens motivation; red – energizes; blue – calming, fights physical and mental tension; green – fights irritability and has a healing effect on the body.  For the office, use colors that you are drawn to as these are the colors that will benefit your health and productivity.

8)  Music

Just about all offices have some type of music playing in the background.  Music can affect emotional well-being, physical health, social functioning, communication abilities, and cognitive skills.  Music in the workplace, either from piped-in music or from a radio, is sometimes used to mask sounds. Music can provide mental stimulation while performing monotonous tasks, which can help to reduce stress levels in the office. Some people, however, find music in the office intensely annoying, especially if it is too loud or inappropriate.  I have found that soft, up-lifting music is very essential to the office “atmosphere”.  There is literally a mirage of good background music available on CD’s.  Search out the Internet for what is appropriate for your office.

RELATED: Health Benefits of Music Therapy

9)  Breaks 

Even the most focused person needs a break at least twice a day and several short breaks in between.  Change of scenery also helps with emotional well-being by clearing mind clutter.  One of the best ways to eliminate stress and recharge the body is to go outside for a ten-minute walk.  Focus on your surroundings and take deep breaths.  This will give you a renewal of energy and will also aid in Vitamin D production.  Walk by yourself in order to quiet your mind.  Walking also gets the lymphatic system flowing which helps to effectively take toxins out of the body.  Other suggestions include performing simple stretching exercises, listening to calming music through headphones with eyes closed or eating a light protein snack.

10)  Organization

It is an excellent idea to look into Feng Shui for your office.  Feng Shui is basically an environmental science that gives advice on how to create environments in which we feel comfortable and supported.  For example, water energy plays a significant role in Feng Shui.  Having a small water fountain in your office can give a sense of calmness and peacefulness.  Keep your office clean and well organized.  Clutter has a negative effect on creative skills and critical thinking.  Make sure that your desk is clean and that everything is put away before you leave each day.  A well-organized, uncluttered desk reduces stress and promotes order.  Make a habit of putting items back in their original place after you are finished using them – this one habit saves time and eliminates the stress of not being able to find items when they are quickly needed.

Putting in the extra time, effort and money in getting your office environment “healthy” will pay-off with a multitude of health benefits.  Of course, it is assumed that when you are out of the office, you are also taking care of yourself by eating a healthy diet, exercising the body and mind, taking good supplementation and getting adequate rest.  All of this goes hand-in-hand in getting and keeping your body healthy.  Remember to address your attitude as you travel the path to good health, as negative attitudes are self-destructive to your health and well-being.  Excellent health requires desire, determination and discipline in every aspect of your life.

 

Loretta Lanphier is a Naturopathic Practitioner (Traditional), Certified Clinical Nutritionist, Holistic Health Practitioner and Certified Clinical Herbalist as well as the CEO / Founder of Oasis Advanced Wellness in The Woodlands TX. She has studied and performed extensive research in health science, natural hormone balancing, anti-aging techniques, nutrition, natural medicine, weight loss, herbal remedies, non-toxic cancer support and is actively involved in researching new natural health protocols and products.  A 14 year stage 3 colon cancer survivor, Loretta is able to relate to both-sides-of-the-health-coin as patient and practitioner when it comes to health and wellness. “My passion is counseling others about what it takes to keep the whole body healthy using natural and non-toxic methods.” Read Loretta’s health testimony Cancer: The Path to Healing. Loretta is Contributor and Editor of the worldwide E-newsletter Advanced Health & Wellness. Check out Oasis Advanced Wellness and our natural skin care products Oasis Serene Botanicals.
†Results may vary. Information and statements made are for education purposes and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor. Oasis Advanced Wellness/OAWHealth does not dispense medical advice, prescribe, or diagnose illness. The views and nutritional advice expressed by Oasis Advanced Wellness/OAWHealth are not intended to be a substitute for conventional medical service. If you have a severe medical condition or health concern, see your physician of choice.

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