Work. Whether it’s online or offline, corporate or work-from-home, we all do it at some point in our lives, and as a matter of fact, we spend a lot of time doing it. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, those that are employed and between the ages of 25 to 54 with children spend nearly 8.8 hours a day on work-related activities.

Let's do the math: Nearly nine hours a day, five days a week – that equates to over 25% of your adult life. Since you’re spending such a significant amount of time working, a comfortable place to work isn't just a nice benefit to have – it can also improve your productivity and overall happiness. Here are a few ways to spruce up your work area for a happier and more efficient you.

Get A Plant: Adding a little bit of greenery to your workplace isn’t just aesthetically pleasing to the eye -- it can also reduce your work stress and actually increase your productivity. According to a Texas A&M University study, both women and men demonstrated “more innovative thinking, generating more ideas and original solutions to problems in the office environment that included flowers and plants.”

Additionally, a plant in your work area can improve the air quality of your indoor work area and consequently improve the health and safety in your workplace. According to another study by the Environmental Laboratory of John C. Stennis Space Center says that “rooms with plants contain 50 to 60 percent fewer airborne molds and bacteria than rooms without plants. The indoor plants clean the office air by absorbing pollutants into their leaves and transmitting toxins to their roots, where they are turned into food for the office plant.” And don’t worry if you don’t have a green thumb – there are plenty of plants that are easy to maintain and retain all of these benefits.

Ergonomics: Ensuring that you have an ergonomic workstation to use isn’t just to improve your productivity – it’s also to protect your health. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 34 percent of all lost-workday injury and illness is caused by repetitive stress injury and costs up to $20 billion annually.

A few quick things to consider: Take many short breaks during the day rather than a few long ones, according to Harvard University. Also, have the proper posture when sitting at your workstation, and be sure to configure your desktop for optimal viewing as well as typing. You can find a quick guide to ergonomics with resources here on the Elance Blog.

Color: While no one would willingly want to work or attribute their creative inspiration while being in a grey, colorless room, many of us neglect to acknowledge the affect that color may have. By adding a splash of color, you can not only affect your mood in a positive or negative way but can also maximize your work productivity, minimize visual fatigue, and relax your entire body.

The Directory Journal has an interesting look at basic color and the affects it has on humans. For example, warmer colors like red can raise blood pressure and increase your heart rate while also making you more cautious and more detail oriented. Cool colors, like blue and green, can have a calming affect while also lowering blood pressure, boost creativity, and improve reading ability. You don’t necessarily have to paint your entire room, but do definitely keep this in mind as you try to spruce up your work area.

Take A Trip: In the age of wireless technologies, your workplace doesn’t necessarily have to be a static place. If you’re starting to feel cooped up, consider relocating to a café or an outdoor park (weather permitting) to freshen up your daily routine and spark creative new ideas. You’d be surprised at how much a few hours at a location with a great view and fresh air can stimulate your creative senses.

Links:
Elance Blog - Avoiding Injury And RSI In Your Home
Elance Blog - How To Avoid Distractions And Stay Focused When Working Online
Elance Blog - The Best Small Business Resources Online