If you’re reading this post, you’re probably at your desk in your home or work office. Like many of us, I do most of my work sitting at my desk. Typing away as the hypnotizing blue screen is sucking away my vital life force energy. Oh the irony of dishing holistic health advice!

Living a healthy lifestyle is  not just about fueling your body with energizing and nourishing  foods.  Your environment, ability to cope with stressful situations and a positive mindset all contribute to your overall health.

Giving your workspace a holistic makeover will increase energy flow and productivity in a multitude of ways and help eliminate that zoned out and fatigued feeling!

How to give your workspace a holistic makeover in 10 simple steps:

  • De-clutter. Stacks of papers, piles of folders, unopened mail and overcrowded bookshelves. Not to mention that e-mail inbox! Excessive clutter and a disorganized space doesn’t just make you less productive, it can elevate feelings of stress and anxiety, as well as drain your energy. Take a bit of time to really organize your office and create some space.
  • Clear the air. Open the windows and let in some clean air. To further help detoxify the air, as well as raise the energy frequency of your workspace, get some indoor plants. Plants help contribute to your improved air quality by removing certain chemicals in the air and releasing clean oxygen. According to a NASA research and recent studies, plants like English Ivy, Spider plant, Chinese evergreen, and Peace Lilies have superior air cleaning qualities.
  • Bring in some nature. The instinctive bond between humans and other living systems, often called biophilia, is important to replicate in interior environments. Wood and water elements are not only grounding, but they also help to bring prosperity into your office. This could be a bubbling Zen fountain, plants, bouquet of flowers, or a beautiful wood picture frame.
  • Minimize your exposure to electromagnetic pollution. Electromagnetic fields (EMF’s), from florescent lights, computers, printers, power strips, and cellphones can have a negative effect on our mental and physical health and deplete energy levels. Some ways to reduce your exposure in your workspace: move the power strip from your desk to the floor, move the computer screen and other equipment as far away from you as possible, and turn off any equipment you aren’t currently using. Keep your cell phone away from your body and always use the speaker or headphones. Minimizing exposure to EMFs will help you become more alert, focused and relaxed.
  • Enjoy a glimpse of nature. Studies show that nature influences a shift towards a more positive state of mind and that these changes are accompanied by sustained attention and intake abilities. If you’re able to face a window with a view of nature, you’re in luck. If not, surrounding yourself with elements and pictures of nature will help to increase productivity and health. It is also highly beneficial to go outside, even if for a few minutes during your lunch break.
  • Bring in some crystal salt lamps. They work by binding excessive positive ions in the environment and releasing negative ions. By releasing these negative ions back into the environment they help to clear some electromagnetic pollution, reduce airborne allergens and irritants and lend a calming effect from its natural glow.
  • Natural light. Unlike the florescent office lights which zap your energy, natural sources of light will help to increase productivity and decrease stress. Open the blinds and curtains and let the light fill your space! If you’re stuck in a workplace that uses florescent lighting, encourage your employer to switch to full spectrum lighting which emits a natural, balanced spectrum of light that is the closest you can get to sunlight indoors.
  • Use colour to your advantage. Certain colours have the ability to change our mood, energy levels and even the ability to focus. Brighter colors are associated with higher focus and task accuracy, whereas blue is calming and cooling, promoting mental control and clear, creative thinking. Pink may increase feelings of joy and lessen aggression and yellow can make you feel more alert, enabling better decision making abilities.
  • Allow scent to invigorate you. I’m not talking about perfume, which is infused with hundreds of chemicals. Pure essential oils, however, can have many beneficial properties. You can use a diffuser, or dab a bit of diluted oil on your skin. Lavender is perhaps the most popular essential oil for its calming properties but with a bit of research you can find the perfect scent for you. Ylang ylang, for example, has calming and mood lifting properties. Peppermint, on the other hand, helps to energize, improve memory and relieve tension headaches. Learn more about essential oils here.
  • Surround yourself with positivity. Keep yourself well nourished by having some healthy snacks (an apple, kale chips, nuts and seeds) and your favourite tea stashed nearby. Get up a bust a yoga pose every once in a while and maintain good posture by elongating the spine while seated. Put up some motivating quotes and pictures.

Even if you take a little time to implement one or two of the recommended changes, you will benefit immensely.

If you are looking for more sustainable habits that don’t include an overnight diet, a fad, or magic pill, and you’re ready to transform your health and energy levels, you can start your journey by applying for a complimentary