6 Simple Ways to Liven Up a Quiet – Dreary Office

6 Simple Ways to Liven Up a Quiet – Dreary Office

People spend almost half of their waking hours at the office. The only break they get is during the weekends. In case of a working Saturday, the only day away from the office is on a Sunday. Because of this, the office should be an enjoyable place, too. 

There are many ways to liven up the office and boost office morale, productivity and keep the employee loyal and happy.

1. Add a few pops of greenery

An area without plants is boring and seems lifeless. By having plants around the office, you will add a splash of green and improve employees’ wellbeing. Not only will the plants clear out airborne toxins, but they will also reduce stress. It was reported that plants can reduce tension and stress by 37 percent. This is a lot and it should not be underestimated. 

Pick some plants that are low maintenance and that thrive in a place with a lot of artificial light. Some of the best options include a snake plant, aloe vera, Fittonia, parlour palm, and succulents. Make sure each table has even the smallest plant to take care of. 

2. Celebrate together

An hour spent on a workplace celebration can only have a positive impact on office morale. Happy employees are 12% to 20% more productive than those that are not. So, schedule some fun into your workday by having office celebrations. For example, you can celebrate birthdays at the office. Management can provide a cake, a birthday girl or a boy can blow out the candles and everyone will get a sweet treat.  Small wins and accomplishments can be celebrated too by having a pizza delivered to the office. Other major milestones like work anniversaries should also result in a fun gathering. People will appreciate these thoughtful moments around a cake or a pizza. They will also get a chance to spend some time together and get to know each other better.

3. Allow pets at the office

Today, many people are pet owners. Those that are not, for one reason or the other, would probably enjoy having a four-legged friend around. Petting or playing with a dog can significantly decrease cortisol levels. In other words, pets can reduce stress. Therapy dogs prove this for a fact. So, if you want to help your employees feel less stressed, allow pets at the office. People who feel overwhelmed by their day-to-day tasks, can take a break and spend time with a pet. In turn, this will ease up any tension they might have so they can return to work feeling refreshed and ready to tackle any challenge. 

4. Group bonding activities

A lively office is a place where people talk, network, collaborate and get things done. For this reason, people should get a chance to know each other better. Group bonding activities hosted at the office or outside bring people together and build trust. People who get along are better at working together. This will foster positive competition and not a negative one. 

You can have fun activities at the office on the last Friday of the month. Team building activities are also something people look forward to. The best team building activities are those that engage everyone. Make sure to offer something everyone can enjoy like playing darts, trivia night, or a company party. A fun and enjoyable team building is an important investment that will build bridges across departments.

5. Create an epic office break room

Working non-stop without breaks does not mean that a person is highly productive and efficient. On the contrary, it is a sure way to burnout, stress, and exhaustion. Each company should offer a shared space for its employees anyone can use. This room should offer comfortable seating, a coffee machine, some board games, and even an easy-to-use portable massage chair. A corporate massage chair will be the perfect office perk for your employees. A quick whole-body massage during a particularly stressful day can boost physical, mental, and emotional wellness. If this short rejuvenating session is followed by a cup of jo, employees will recharge and reset their day and tackle their work responsibilities with vigour.

6. Healthy snacks and treats

Let’s be honest – people love to snack during their work. This practice is even more noticeable during short deadlines. People are under a lot of pressure, so they use snacks to satiate the state of nervousness. The bad thing about this is the choice of snacks. These are often unhealthy and full of added sugar. So, if you want to turn this bad habit around, offer some healthy snacks at the office. Fruit and dried fruit, granola, protein bars and trail mix are some of the snacks your employees will enjoy.

Above all this, an office should be clean, tidy, and in general, a place where a person feels good. When you combine this with the tips we’ve suggested, you’ll create a great office culture and boost morale among the employees.