How to be happy at work: the 10 tricks
“How to be happy?” is perhaps the great question of human beings. And if we take into account that we spend more time at work than in any other activity, happiness at work becomes an almost transcendental matter.
Being happy at work depends on a few basic factors and a host of seemingly less important details, but which have the power to make us smile every day. Some report directly to the bosses, but we can all work together to achieve a happier company. If you also want to know how to do it, take note of these tricks!
How to Be Happy at Work: 10 Big and Small Tricks
1) Reconcile
More than a trick, being able to reconcile is a necessity. If we feel that work prevents us from enjoying our personal lives, we will inevitably be resentful and unmotivated.
Luckily, today there are the necessary technological solutions to be able to telework. Combined with a goal-based work culture, they make it possible for employees to have a great deal of decision-making power over their schedules and holidays and to balance work with the rest of their lives.
2) Make sense of what you do
Few things are more motivating than knowing that your work is helping to create a better world. That’s why the happiest companies have a well-defined mission and values, and they want their employees to align with them.
Sometimes, we need to stop and ask why we do what we do and what we get out of it, so I invite you to reflect on the meaning of your work and change course if you consider it necessary.
3) Take breaks to play
No matter how old we are, humans love to play! A break of a few minutes to do some creative activity, such as drawing or assembling a puzzle, helps us clear our minds and sparks creativity in surprising ways. This way, you will avoid feeling stuck and frustrated.
Another trick that also works is to take advantage of the pauses to dance. As silly as it sounds, moving to the rhythm of music that we like is one of the best ways to awaken endorphins and put a smile on our faces.
4) Have a reward system
To answer the question of how to be happy at work, we have to ask ourselves what we get in return for it (and no, I’m not talking about the salary). Having big goals aligned with our objectives is important, but so is maintaining motivation on a day-to-day basis.
To do this, reward systems, whether owned or implemented by the company, are a great solution. It can be something as simple as taking a walk when you finish task X, or enjoying a few drinks and a chat with colleagues at the end of the week.
5) Meditate
Ooooooooohhhhhhhhmmmmmmmmm…
Meditating may seem like a hippie cliché to you, but the more research you do, the more compelling its benefits become. Meditating improves emotional control and increases emotional control. Well-being at all levels.
Practicing meditation doesn’t have to be difficult or time-consuming. To get started, just close your office door (or put on noise-blocking headphones), set an alarm after 5 to 10 minutes, close your eyes, and breathe.
6) Exercise
Moving is another excellent way to activate the mechanisms of happiness and get to work with a smile. It can be something as simple as taking a walk at lunchtime (especially if it’s sunny). But if you want to make the most of the benefits, my recommendation is to exercise before you go to work. Exercising in the morning is proven to boost energy levels for the rest of the day, so you’ll be more productive and feel more satisfied when you finish your workday.
7) Help Peers
Helping a colleague with a difficult project will not only improve the work environment, but it is also one of the tricks on how to be happy. According to research, being altruistic generates its reward system and therefore helps us feel better.
8) Share leisure moments
Co-workers are the people we spend the most time with each day, above our family, partners, and friends. Therefore, it is worth taking care of this relationship.
To generate team spirit and feel more comfortable at work, we also need to share relaxed and fun moments, whether simply with a coffee at lunchtime or with organized activities, such as excursions and company retreats. How about a visit to the amusement park to celebrate the objectives of the term?
9) Change routines
If our working days are identical to each other, it will not take long for us to fall into boredom, and it will be difficult for us to encourage ourselves to continue. Therefore, I suggest that you give your Monday (or Tuesday, or Wednesday…) a spin and do things differently from time to time.
Some ideas: cycling to work instead of taking the subway, having a picnic in the nearest park instead of the office, working from a café, stopping at a bookstore to browse through the new arrivals on the way home…
10) Recognize a job well done
One of the most necessary things to feel job satisfaction is validation. According to a recent study by the human resources company Robert Half, seeing one’s achievements recognized is the most decisive factor for the happiness of employees under 35 years of age.
This validation can not only come from bosses, but colleagues themselves also have an important role. So if you think someone in your company has done a good job, don’t hesitate to tell them! You are sure to make their day.
