7 Ways to Infuse Joy into your Work Day
In our fast-paced, task-oriented work culture, finding joy and happiness during our work day can be a challenge. I’ve been thinking about ways we can infuse more joy into our lives at work. I know the thought of joy at work may sound completely foreign, strange or taboo, but if we spend on average a third of our day at work, shouldn’t it be a place where we can feel joyful? Joy plays an important role in our mood and our mental and emotional wellbeing. So from play breaks to rewards, let's explore some easy strategies we can use to bring joy to the workplace. Note: some of these may be out of your comfort zone or you may only try something once, but that’s okay. Hopefully this list gets you thinking of ways you can be creative and intentional to bring joy into your work day.
Play breaks. Find a few 5 minute windows in your schedule where you can listen to a high energy song, attempt a crossword or sudoku puzzle, or maybe draw a quick sketch.
Switch things up. Try parking in a different spot, find a new route to get to work, change your hairstyle or choose a fun virtual background for Zoom. Have a pancake meal for lunch or sushi for breakfast.
Dress differently. If you normally wear sweats or leggings in your home office, put on your best blazer or a dress or a suit. Perhaps wear a colour that seems very out of character for you, is bright yellow calling your name? Maybe it’s time to dig out those happy face socks.
Laugh. In between meetings find some funny memes to look at and share them with your colleagues if you dare. Or ask your colleagues a riddle and smile as they try to figure out the answer. Maybe it's time for a practical joke, but proceed with caution based on your relationship with your colleagues.
Reward yourself. Have a treat jar on your desk that you access at a certain time each day, a work friendly type of happy hour, or maybe after you complete a certain task. Whether it's candy, granola bars, stickers or a bouncy ball, choose things that are going to make you smile. You can even hide snacks in different parts of your work space for when 3pm rolls around and you need a pick me up.
Be spontaneous. Give a high five to a colleague. Send an email to compliment a coworker. Gift someone a cup of coffee or a croissant. Leave a fortune cookie in someone's mailbox. Invite a colleague to play cards at lunch.
Add a personal touch. Whether pictures of your family, your favourite succulent or orchid, a motivational quote you love, a postcard from a great trip, or a sunset painting you did at paint night, think about how you can personalize your space and make it yours.
Bringing joy to our work is not only beneficial for our own well-being but also creates a positive ripple effect on our colleagues and work environment. By incorporating fun and spontaneity into our work lives, we can create joyful moments that excite us and help us feel good throughout the day. Sometimes, all we need to do is disrupt our regular routine to gain a new perspective and a new feeling. Let's think outside the box, break the 9-5 mundane routine, and create a work experience that allows us to get our work done while also filled with moments of fun and joy.
