5 Productivity Hacks for the Winter (Slideshare)

The winter is sad. No, really, Seasonal Affected Disorder (SAD) is a real thing! Are you keeping spirits high in the gloom and doom of these long, dark winter months? 11% of employees simply don’t have the motivation to stay on task at their desk. Here are 5 simple productivity hacks you can implement right now to knock out your rolling to-dos.

1. Clean up your desk, or don’t

Working at your desk, whether it be sitting, standing, walking or doing pilates poses on your medicine ball, the way it is set up has differing effects on your mind and productivity. Working at a neat and tidy desk has some secret benefits that stretch beyond the 9-5. New research reports that working at a clean and organized desk may promote healthy eating, generosity, and conventionality. So maybe around lunch time, spruce up your cube and eat your salad with glee!

Desk cluttered? Don’t stress the mess. According to a study by the Association for Psychological Science, being in a messy room led to something that firms, agencies and companies all would like more of: increased creativity thinking ability! Depending on what you need that day, think twice about throwing away your pistachio baggie of shells off your desk after lunch for a supercharged afternoon of creative bliss.

2. Turn up

Winter is cold to begin with. Add a freezing office on top of that? Not a happy or productive worker. Did you know that the ideal temperature for worker is around 74 degrees? True! Scientific studies confirm that indoor temperature can significantly impact on productivity and most performing ‘comfort zone’ lays between 72° F and 77° F. 77 degrees may seem a little high for the grindstone, but keep the thermostat at a level where your employees don’t need gloves to type!

3. Olfactory at the factory

We all know the effect freshly baked cinnamon rolls have on us when we walk into a mall, or the smell of popcorn at the theatre. Well, smells can be a powerful thing at work too! Studies found there was an astonishing 54% reduction in clerical error when workers were exposed to lemon oils. Interesting! Try sneaking some lemon fresh around the office at crunch time to see if your mistakes disappear into the citrusy mist!

4. Replace the porcelain

This one is a little hocus pocus. Apparently, coffee tastes differently depending on what type and color of mug it is consumed in! There was a recent study where participants agreed that coffee consumed out of a white mug “tasted” more bitter than others. And, that the coffee in the blue and glass mugs tasted sweeter than the others! This one may be small, but fascinating! Something to think about considering how important coffee can be during the afternoon crawl to second wind productivity.

5. You’re never fully dressed without a…

And lastly, this one is the easiest and prettiest. You don’t have to wait for something fun to happen before you smile, you can hack your happiness! The feel good neurotransmitters dopamine, endorphins and serotonin are all released when a smile flashes across your face. This simple act gives you the feeling of relaxation and can lower your heart rate and blood pressure! Not bad for such a simple thing:)

Spring is coming

Keep in mind these simple solutions for a happier and more productive day! Who knows, what else is affecting you that you don’t even know is happening?!  Not as quickly as winter came, but brighter (and longer) days are ahead. If you live in a place where you have eternal 70 degree weather and sunshine, well…lucky for you.

Maren Hogan

Maren Hogan is CEO of Red Branch and general Bad@$$

Maren Hogan is a seasoned marketer and community builder in the HR and Recruiting industry. Maren started Red Branch Media and, before she hired all the smiling faces you see below, she ran it on her own. In marketing for over 15 years, she has deep experience in strategic campaigns and a long-term, results-based operational approach.