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Setting
Up Your Office For "Health"
by:
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 stimulating 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. - Ergonomically
Correct Chair: Make
sure that your chair is comfortable and has adjustable height and arms. When you
are sitting straight 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. Chairs
can certainly be expensive but in the long run it will cost much less than spending
time at the chiropractor.
- Green
Plants: 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 the humble Philoderdron are also two to watch
out for.
- 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.
- 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 a physical
condition, 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.
- 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.
- EMF
Protection: Detrimental 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 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 lead to more serious health situations such as cancer.
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. I recommend
the Safe Space II. It is designed to neutralize harmful electromagnetic fields,
geopathic disturbances, as well as other detrimental vibrational energies in environments.
It is a framed holographic grid (encased behind glass) 2” x 2” and can
be attached to any surface…especially the computer monitor. The Safe Space
II device clears a spherical area with a 9’ radius. You can read more about
it at www.ghchealth.com.
- 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.
- 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 on what is right for your office.
- Breaks:
Even the most focused person needs a break at least twice a day. Change of scenery
also helps with emotions. 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 and focus on clearing your mind. Walking
will also get the blood and the lymphatic system flowing.
- Organization:
It is an excellent 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 small 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, uncluttered desk leads to clear thinking
and reduces stress. Make a habit of putting items back in their original place
after you are finished using them.
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 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. Reprinted
from Article City.com
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