For Workers with Woes: Featured Article
Redecorate Office, Body, and Mind
Cube or Office Redecorating
If your company culture allows it, decorate your office to be more home-like. Put a nice, colored fabric over the blah, brown cork on your bulletin board; cover your light switch plate and tissue box with the same fabric. Add some whimsy - as well as more texture and softness - with plush, stuffed animals. You'll probably give your co-workers a lift whenever they come to your office, too.
Lighting can really affect your mood. If possible, turn off harsh fluorescent lights and buy a beautiful, antique-looking lamp. A stained-glass lamp gives off a colorful glow. If you set the lamp up high, you'll still get enough light for your work. If you have a room with no windows, try putting up an old window frame. Fill it with a stained-glass window that has a nature motif. Then backlight it to simulate the sun shining in.
Try out a Fit Ball (also called a Medicine Ball). They're available through gyms and some chiropractors. Sit and bounce on one for energizing fun that also loosens your spine. Stretch out and relax your back and neck by lying on one. You can even sit on one to help loosen up your hips. They even come in different colors, so you can match your décor!
Face and Body Redecorating
If you're smiling, you look younger. Not only is it a lot cheaper than a jowl lift, but an extra perk is that it perks up the people who see you wearing a glowing smile instead of a floppy ol' frown.
You'll feel more confident if you look more confident. If your head is jutting forward, giving you a slouched, sloppy look, try tucking your chin in closer to your chest. This brings your head back into better alignment over your shoulders. Also, bring your shoulders back so your shoulder blades move a little closer to each other. Now smile and make eye contact. Voila! Confidence.
Mental Redecorating
If you're not meeting your daily hug quota, mentally turn compliments into hugs. For instance, if a friend writes and says, "I miss you," imagine her giving you hugs - even if she's miles away. Or if a co-worker says, "Nice presentation," take it as a hug, even if actual hugs simply aren't done in your office.
A mind trick: Think of the start of the day as an arbitrary point, which you can move back as needed. For instance, if your morning went badly, declare it to be part of the previous day and mentally start your day at whatever time it is now.
Make a list of 25 things you like about yourself (10 is a less daunting number if this is the first time you've ever done this activity). If you have trouble, think of what other people have said about you. Also, think about the little common courtesies you perform, such as signaling a turn, holding a door for an older person, or even just using mouthwash. You may take these things for granted; though other people appreciate them!
Try not to put yourself down - even in you own mind. For example, if you can't find your keys, instead of "I can never find things" (which may become a self-fulfilling prophesy), say, "It's not like me to lose things." Instead of "I blew that," say, "Well, I learned a lesson from that. Next time I'llÖ." Instead of "I can't do math," say "I prefer working with words than numbers." Consider it as a "What's the Best Way to Re-Phrase This?" game.
These tips were taken from "Self-Nurturing Solitaire" ©1999 by Jean Zartner.
