Minute Crunch

Spreading knowledge in 60 seconds!

Workplace

Why headphones are becoming a necessary work accessory?

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New workplaces are more open, against the cubicles of old times. While open office spaces have many advantages like enhanced team collaboration, better connectivity, saving huge dollars in terms of office rent, but more openness means more noisy work environment too.

The result is employees are switching to headphones to cover the disturbance in an open work environment, In one survey, 46% participants admitted using headphones to avoid conversation with colleagues, while 30% to avoid background noise (yep! the noise of that phone ringtone which is ringing again & again, chit-chat between those workers, sounds of coffee cups striking tables each few seconds, noise from that keyboard which is being ruthlessly & loudly used by your colleague!), and others use them to listen to their favorite music for increased productivity & get their stuff done with some musical inspiration & motivation.

Some also argue that music at work help them create their personal work zone & isolate interruptions!

“Using headphones at work – ethical or unethical” deserves a discussion at scale. So, you’re invited. Do you think it’s okay to use headphones at work? Isn’t it make you look anti-social or unreachable at work? Join the discussion in the comments section.

References: Fast Company, Time Management Ninja, Image Courtesy of PxHere.

Why Saying “No” More Often Is A Good Approach?

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Many people say: “Saying yes is a good approach”. Is it really? We don’t think so. Saying “yes” means devotion of more & more time to things you say “yes” for! We all have 24 hours. We can’t increase that number. If you say yes to everything, you’re left with very little time to do things that are most important in your life. What’s the solution? Well, learn to say no! Sometimes, we have to say no to even good things to choose the better things in place of good things (like not attending our friends’ party to complete that project!). If you have the habit of saying yes to everyone & every task you come across, mind your habit. Start saying no. This way you can keep yourself focused on what you do, use your resources, time and skills in the best possible manner. The more time you’ll have for particular things, the better you’ll do them. Remember, if you have a yes for everything, people will “AB-USE” you & you’ll be good at nothing.  In short, be smart & say “NO”, more often! Initially, It’ll be difficult. Later, you’ll thank yourself (& hopefully Minute Crunch too!).

References: Photo Thanks: Maxpixel.net.

This Office Design Trick Can Make You More Healthier & Less Stressed!

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You work for hours in office! Good! Want better? Okay! Just use desks without partitions and walls, get rid of cubicles & private cabins and maintain an open work space. Yes, that’s the trick. Study from University of Arizona found that in an open office, people have high physical activity like walking, have better conversations & relationship with co-workers coupled with low stress levels, compared to people working in closed spaces like cubicles & desks with partitions. Open office design can contribute a lot towards betterment & health of workers. Some people may argue that open spaces are more noisy and can be distracting. Well, that’s for all the employees to maintain a healthy work environment. Don’t you think that office space should be open & more collaborative, given its health benefits? Do let us know your thoughts. Hopefully, It will also help to make a “few billions cut” in “workplace ill health costs” that take down about $225 billion a year from the US economy alone!

References: ABC News, Science Daily, Photo Thanks: Flickr.

Why Going “Tie-Free” Is A Good & Smart Idea?

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Office & Ties – we all know that the two goes together traditionally in western world & now the “tie-culture” is everywhere. Tie has become part of daily working life. Some think that it’s a tradition that needs to be followed, some think tie gets them more respect, some think that wearing a tie makes a difference in professionalism! Well, that’s typical mindset about tie! Let’s know the health impact of wearing a tie. Tie presses the blood vessels which allow the blood to reach the brain & result is 7.5% cut in circulation to our brain which can be really brain-damaging. It suggests that only people with really high blood pressure should wear a tie. Further, a tight tie can increase pressure in the eyes which increases the risk of sight destroying disease. Also, tie just add another layer to your fatigue. It’s just stressful! You know that, right? With all this ‘tie-negative-stuff”, we can conclude that going “tie-free” is a good & smart idea! So, go “tie-free”! Less stress, better health, more productivity, more work!

Reference: Big Think,  News Scientist, Photo Thanks: Pixabay.

How Our Jobs Are Actually Killing Us?

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For most of the people, Jobs are one of the most stressful things in life. People with jobs that needs high psychological demands have 50% higher chances of developing ‘Atrial Fibrillation’ which is the cause for 30% of the strokes. Our jobs & people we work with have great psychological impact on us & our workplace is one of the biggest source of stress. Stressful jobs, long working hours, huge screen time, layoffs, work-life imbalance: all its mean stressed heart & mind which causes chronic diseases. Well, we can dubbed it as ‘work-life imbalance’ & like there are laws on ‘Environment Protection’, there may be laws for ‘work-life balance’ as well! Isn’t it a good idea? Do let us know what you think? In the meantime, make sure to take care of yourself with meditation or yoga which can lower your stress levels.

Reference: Stanford, MarkiTech, Getting Real, DW, Photo Thanks: Pixabay.

How Swedish Spend Their Lunch Breaks Will Surprise You!

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In Sweden, people celebrate their lunch breaks partying! Yes. It’s true. That may be unusual for you but not for Swedish! After having lunch, Swedish hit the dance floor for a total of 60 minutes! The idea behind this unusual culture is scientific & makes perfect sense. Dancing exercise & distraction make people more enthusiastic & help them keep awake & energetic during post lunch working hours. So, if a coffee can’t do the job for you, adopt the new culture of “Lunch Disco” & feel a whole new energy when you return to your desk! One more thing… make sure that you do it Sweden way where drugs and alcohol are strictly forbidden! Simple water, sandwiches & fruits are good options!

Source: Slate, DW, Photo Thanks: Pixabay.