Dr. Loretta Lanphier, ND, CCN, HHP
If you work and are spending one third to one half of your day in an office setting then your surroundings there are as important as those in your home. Although we usually have little control over the buildings we work in, being aware of problems that can affect us will enable us to take counter-measures and may encourage the creation of moving and nurturing environments. Below are 10 steps that will help to provide an office that is balanced and conducive to good health and well-being, which will ultimately benefit your health and the health your company.
1) Ergonomically Correct Chair: Make sure that your chair is comfortable and has adjustable height and arms. When you are sitting uncurled with feet even on the floor your arms should be at a 90-degree angle when typing on the computer. If you are having to strain or long to reach your computer then you are putting stress on the rearmost and shoulder area. Chairs can certainly be expensive but in the daylong run it will cost much little than spending time at the chiropractor.
2) Green Plants: Plants do much than just enhance the beauty of your surroundings, galore actually clean pollutants out of the air as they add oxygen and humidity to the indoor environment. spic-and-span findings suggest, however, that they may add more than just color and interest. They also filter the air, and can fight against the usual high-tech ill, tubercular building disease. new research undertaken by the NASA Space Administration in America has yielded whatsoever very interesting results. In a test lasting two years conducted by Dr. B.C. Wolverton at the Stennis Space Centre in Mississippi it was unconcealed that common houseplants are capable of converting chemical aerial pollutants into harmless substances. Ivy, cardinal of the smallest of houseplants, does an excellent job of cleaning the air of toxins, especially benzene and TCE. The meek 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 realistic pollutant sucking types. Chinese Evergreen and the humble Philoderdron are also cardinal to watch down for.
3) Lighting: Studies suggest that natural light increases human productivity and reduces fatigue and stress. By simply replacing your old fluorescent tubes with full-spectrum tubes, you can instantly enhance your environment and your well-being! overflowing spectrum lighting emits a natural, self-balancing spectrum of floodlit that is the closest you can get to sunlight indoors. Based on years of study not only do they bring down 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 unexpendable oils, for mental and physical well-being. Not only does the aroma of the natural unexpendable oil stimulate the brain to trigger a reaction, but the natural constituents (naturally occurring chemicals) of the unexpendable oil are tired into the lungs and can also supply physical benefit. Aromatherapy can help with a physiological condition, can help with symptoms, can affect your mood, or help alleviate or temporarily eliminate stress or opposite 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, chromatic 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 dark-coloured 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 interior air quality is the United States' number one environmental health problem. A recent study by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture saved that ionizing a room led to 52% less dust in the air, and 95% little bacteria in the air (since galore 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 unfavourable ionization at removing airborne Salmonella Enteritidis. The negative ions drastically reduced the airborne salmonella particles, prompting the favourable 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 precise modestly priced.
6) EMF Protection: harmful energies from electromagnetic fields emitted from high tension wires, industrial radar, microwave beams, electric current, computers, cell phones, televisions, fluorescent lights and other electrical appliances have been found to be dangerous to psychological and physical health. When an separate sleeps or works for extensive periods within electromagnetic frequency zones, these energies create a continual 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 lead to more grave health situations much as cancer. These highly disruptive energy fields actually insensible or dull our sense perceptions and adversely impacts brain wave activity. Studies have also shown electromagnetic fields (EMF) to induce moderate depression in galore subjects with the disruption of melatonin, dopamine, and serotonin levels. There are many devices that can be old in the office or put on the computer that will give EMF protection. I recommend the Safe Space II. It is designed to neutralize harmful electromagnetic fields, geopathic disturbances, as well as opposite detrimental vibrational energies in environments. It is a framed holographic grid (encased behind glass) 2” x 2” and can be related to any surface…especially the computer monitor. The Safe Space II device clears a spherical area with a 9’ radius. You can read more active it at www.ghchealth.com.
7) Colors: Color therapy has its roots in past Egypt. Scientific studies recognize that colors bring about soulful 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, domestic 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: chromatic – stimulates creativity; yellow – intensifies the intellect and heightens motivation; chromatic – energizes; sexy – calming, fights physical and psychological tension; green – fights irritability and has a healthful effect on the body. For the office, use colors that you are drawn to as these are the colors that will benefit your health.
8) Music: retributory about all offices have some type of music playing in the background. Music can affect emotional well-being, physiological 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 psychological 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 saved that soft, up-lifting music is precise essential to the office “atmosphere”. There is literally a mirage of good background music acquirable on CD’s. Search out the Internet on what is right for your office.
9) Breaks: Even the most focused person needs a break at least twice a day. Change of scenery also helps with emotions. cardinal of the primo ways to eliminate stress and recharge the body is to go extrinsic 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 and focus on clearing your mind. Walking will also get the blood and the lymphatic system flowing.
10) Organization: It is an superior idea to look into Feng Shui for the office. Feng Shui is basically an environmental science and 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 miniscule fountain in your office can give a sense of calmness and peacefulness. Keep your office clean and organized. There is no excuse for clutter. Make sure that your desk is clean and that everything is put away before you leave each day. A well-organized, tidy desk leads to clear thinking and reduces stress. Make a habit of putting items rearmost in their first place after you are finished using them.
Putting in the unnecessary 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 well-preserved diet, exercising the body and mind, taking good supplementation and getting satisfactory rest. All of this goes hand-in-hand in getting and keeping the body healthy. Remember to address your attitude as you travel the path to good health, as negative attitudes are self-destructive. Good health requires desire, determination and discipline in every aspect of your life.
About The Author
Submitted by root on Sun, 2006-09-24 05:08.
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