International Week of Happiness at Work

Today marks the start of the annual International Week of Happiness at Work. What a perfect excuse to revive your work environment, and spread positive spirit all round. 

It might be waking up before the sun rises every morning, or maybe it’s the long hours sitting at a desk that send you a little loopy. No matter what’s causing you to go through a rough patch at work, there’s a range of simple techniques to cure it – and brighten up your day at work.

If you’re suffering from mood swings, or if Monday blues seem to last until Friday, then it’s a good idea to practice good habits that protect your mental health and wellbeing. So, the big burning question is: what should you do improve your mood, and jump on the job satisfaction bandwagon?

Find our 5 International Week of Happiness at Work tips below:

1. Wear a mood-boosting outfit

If you’re feeling down, then try adding a pop of colour to your life! You’ve probably guessed that our favourite colours, here at SuperFastDiet, are pink, orange, and green – what we like to call, our go-to colours when in need of a little joy-infusion.

2. Get active in your lunch break

Did you know that, 91% of those who exercise regularly do not relapse into depression?

It’s no surprise that sitting hunched at your desk for hours on end is bad for your mind, but did you know it could also be an even greater risk for weight gain? If you have a whole hour and a shower on hand – why not sign up to a lunch time gym class? Getting up from your desk and away from a heavy workload for an hour is a surefire way to get that heart rate up!

However, if time is tight, we recommend stretching the legs. Get up from your desk once in an hour to spend some minutes moving around the office. If you want to go that little extra mile, try some squats, star jumps, or even crunches in the carpark! Maybe even keep a jumping rope in your desk drawer! If you don’t want your colleagues to think you’ve gone bonkers, try a lap or two of the office stairs.

3. Eat ‘happy’ foods and mix up your lunch

Strive for building a balanced meal. Consume a portion of protein, good fats and complex carbohydrates. If your lunch is a little same-old, aim to include a different coloured fruit or veg in every meal. This will ensure your lunch carries its own unique set of nutrients and antioxidants.

Try incorporating foods with ‘mood-boosting’ properties. Our favourite ‘happy’ foods include:

• Avocado
• Turkey (full of tryptophan, which helps regulates the mood)
• Nuts
• Eggs
• Hummus
• Berries
• Apples
• Bananas (rich in tyrosine and magnesium, which have been significantly proven to positive mood changes)! 

Why not try our delicious low-calorie chocolate brownies – an added bonus? They will satisfy your sweet tooth, but also keep your waistline in check! 

4. Make a work-wife

Ahhhh the life-saving work wife. The woman who gets us through those 9-5pm days, when there’s much other we’d rather do than sit in an office – the one who picks us up on the dreaded 3pm Monday slump.

A work wife is brilliant. She’s the friend turned colleague who provides us with support, mentorship, and companionship when we’re under the pump.  Plus – there’s always someone to go to lunch with while you debrief on weekend antics.

5. Meditate

Mediation is a wellness game changer, and the International Week of Happiness at Work is a perfect excuse to do so. If your mind is racing with an endless to-do list, perhaps disconnecting yourself from technology is the best thing to do. Just five minutes, can help lower levels of depression – according to science. Simply head over to our members’ library for yoga and meditation how-to videos and set a reminder every day at the said time to relax, slow the breath, and hack your way to stress-free living.

At SuperFastDiet, we’ve compiled our own list of activities we like to do to enlighten the office spirit. Our special list includes Buzzfeed quizzes on Fridays, 3pm stretches daily, lunch together on Tuesdays, and bring your pet to work on Fridays.

There you have it folks – our list to celebrate the International Week of Happiness at Work! Get your team together and take the initiative to make your own workplace list unique to your office. 

Looking for more ways to cultivate a happy workplace? Find inspiration from our mid-week motivators to make you smile!