Working for long hours at a desk and in front of a computer can be tough, on both your body and your brain. At Radish we work hard to create a healthy work/life balance, and employ a few awesome tactics to make sure that our office is happy and healthy.
1) Bring your four-legged friend to work day. Or how about everyday?
If you follow us on Instagram you probably already know about Texas the dog. Not only is he cute and always down for a thrilling game of fetch, he’s actually keeping us all a little saner. A 2012 Virginia Commonwealth University study shows that employees who brought their dogs to work with them produced lower levels of cortisol (stress hormone) than those who came to work petless. Dogs in the workplace have also been shown to promote more trust and collaboration among co workers, and to boost overall creativity. Thanks Texas!
2) Keep it green.
We have a few leafy residents living in the Radish office. A 2014 paper published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology suggests that offices rich with potted plants increases employee's productivity by 15% and improves workplace satisfaction by up to 40%. Office plants also been shown to increase attendance and attentiveness to projects, and lower levels of anxiety and stress. Now we really have to remember to water them!
3) Take time to zone out.
Any “healthy office” search on Google will tell you that it’s important to take breaks throughout the day. There is a huge movement to bring more meditative practices in the workplace. Practicing breathing exercises, taking a quiet walk, or just closing your computer for a few minutes helps you to destress, clear your mind, and ultimately be more productive. If you can’t leave your desk or don’t have pretty block to walk around, you can always take a few minutes on a website like Paus, which has some pretty cool calming exercises you can try when you need a break.