Posts made in October 2018

Dancing businesswoman

How to Sit Less When You Work an Office Job

Even if you exercise every day, studies show that people simply sit too much. When you work an office job, you can spend at least eight hours of your day sitting in front of a computer, which can be detrimental to your posture and health. How can you break up these long periods of being seated? Below are three ways to get more movement into your day.

  1. Get Up for Your Breaks

Whether you are grabbing another cup of coffee or have a 30-minute lunch break coming up, make an effort to get up and move. Take a quick walk on your break or meet up with coworkers to check out the coffee shop next door when you all need a refill.

  1. Dress for Activity

If possible, wear comfortable clothing or shoes to the office or bring a change of sneakers with you. This will eliminate the excuse of poor shoes or stuffy dress clothes to walk in. When you are dressed in comfortable fabrics and shoes, you will be more inspired to move.

  1. Set Alerts to Move

If you have a fitness tracker, smartwatch, or smartphone, many of them have settings for movement reminders. Pay attention to these reminders and get up and move whenever they appear. You can also take this time to stretch at your desk if you are unable to get up for a quick walk around the building.

At Highland-March Workspaces, our MA office for rent is near a variety of coffee shops, lunch stops, and parks to help inspire you to stay active during your workday. Contact us today to inquire about one of our three locations.

Young man working from home

How Working from Home can be Stressful

Though many people consider working from home the epitome of work-life balance, those who have consistently done their work from home have reported higher stress levels. Though working from home is a great way to make up sick time, stay safe during bad weather, or be home with the kids, there are varieties of challenges that come with the setup.

Below are three reasons why working from home can be stressful.

  1. A Lack of Structure

Depending on your setup, the freedom to work whenever you want, as long as you want can end up becoming detrimental to your schedule and overall work-life balance. What once felt liberating may slowly become draining and feel out of control, especially if you do not adhere to a strict 8-hour schedule.

  1. Plenty of Distractions

When you work from home, you will face plenty of distractions you normally would not at an office. Pets, children, your favorite show, and more can all negatively impact your productivity. The temptation for distraction is even worse if you do not have a designated office space set up in your home.

  1. A Lack of Social Interactions

Though it may be easier to focus when it is nice and quiet, consistently working from home can severely limit your social interactions each day. This can result in feelings of loneliness or isolation, especially if the rest of your team is in an office together.

If working from home proves to be too distracting for your liking, look into an MA office for rent from Highland-March Workspaces. Our friendly and professional staff will help you feel right at home while offering an exceptional space to get work done.

Blueberry pancakes with maple syrup

Three Breakfast Options to Boost Brain Power

It is a sure fact that a healthy breakfast is essential to your productivity. Though you may be in a rush to get to your MA office for rent, we highly recommend taking the time to plan out a satisfying breakfast. Not only will it help you stay focused, but some foods can even boost your brain power for maximum productivity.

Below are three great breakfast ideas to help you get through your day.

  1. Breakfast Burrito

A breakfast burrito is a great way to eat a substantial meal on the go. You can easily wrap up scrambled eggs, sausage, and veggies to take with you in the car, on public transit, or on your walk to work. Egg yolks are also high in choline, a vitamin that boosts brain power and can help with memory.

  1. Breakfast Cookies

Yes, you read that right! Though cookies are not commonly referred to as breakfast foods, you can pack them full of oats, fruits, and other satisfactory ingredients to create a more morning-friendly option that you can easily grab on your way out the door.

  1. Whole Grain Pancakes

If you have just enough time to whip up something before you leave, whole grain pancakes are a great option. If you pre-make the batter, all you have to do is pour it onto the pan, and they will be ready in minutes. Adding some pureed veggies into the batter is a great way to add a nutritional boost and create a more filling meal.

Group of employees in a business meeting

When Should You Schedule a Work Meeting?

Meetings are a great way to get the team together and discuss business strategy and issues. However, too many meetings could end up killing your team’s productivity. When there are significant updates to be discussed, a meeting is a must. Do not let meetings be a waste of time with these following tips.

Do not schedule a meeting if there is no good reason for doing so. If you are planning a meeting to check in on the status of certain tasks, there may be a better, less intrusive way to go about it. Skip the meeting this time and instead follow up with an email or take a peek into your task tracking software.

Ensure your meeting is scheduled at an appropriate time. Unless you are planning a lunch-and-learn style meeting, scheduling around lunch time will not benefit your employees. They will often be hungry, disinterested, and irritable throughout the time. Opt for a meeting earlier in the morning or towards the end of the day.

Make sure you follow up to the meeting. One of the most significant ways to waste time is to never follow up on what was discussed in a meeting. If you and your team agreed on a plan of action, but no details were implemented, that meeting essentially took an hour away from work being completed.

Ensure your meeting space is comfortable and fully-equipped. When you rent one of our MA meeting rooms from Highland-March Workspaces, you will have a space available with high-quality equipment and comfortable seating.