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 buildings we work in, being aware of problems that can affect us will enable us to take counter-measures and may encourage 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 health your company.

1) 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 floor your arms should be at a 90-degree angle when typing on computer. If you are having to strain or stretch to reach your computer then you are putting stress on back and shoulder area. Chairs can certainly be expensive but in long run it will cost much less than spending time at chiropractor.

2) Green Plants: Plants do more than just enhance beauty of your surroundings, many actually clean pollutants out of air as they add oxygen and humidity to indoor environment. New findings suggest, however, that they may add more than just color and interest. They also filter air, and can fight against common high-tech ill, sick building disease. Recent research undertaken by NASA Space Administration in America has yielded some very interesting results. In a test lasting two years conducted by Dr. B.C. Wolverton at Stennis Space Centre in Mississippi it was discovered that common houseplants are capable of converting chemical air pollutants into harmless substances. Ivy, one of smallest of houseplants, does an excellent job of cleaning 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 humble Philoderdron are also two to watch out for.

3) 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 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 retina and reduce glare.

4) Aromatherapy: Aromatherapy is practice of using volatile plant oils, including essential oils, for psychological and physical well-being. Not only does aroma of natural essential oil stimulate brain to trigger a reaction, but natural constituents (naturally occurring chemicals) of essential oil are drawn into 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 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 bottle in between your hands. Add appropriate number of drops from your created blend to your diffuser by following manufacturer’s instructions. There are also many “recipes” on Internet to use during cold and flu season when “office-air” can be extremely contagious.

5) Air Quality: The EPA informs us that 6 out of 10 buildings are "sick" and that indoor air quality is United States' number one environmental health problem. A recent study by U.S. Dept. of Agriculture found that ionizing a room led to 52% less dust in air, and 95% less bacteria in air (since many of pollutants found in air reside on floating dust particles). The U.S.D.A. also performed another study to test effectiveness of negative ionization at removing airborne Salmonella Enteritidis. The negative ions drastically reduced airborne salmonella particles, prompting following statement from USDA. I recommend a negative ion air purifier for office setting. These units are small enough to fit on a credenza or desk and are very modestly priced.