I'm a psychologist - these are my 7 tips for being happy at work trends now
It's a place the average person will spend 90,000 hours at over their lifetime.
While going to work is a necessity for the vast majority, long hours, tiresome commutes and overwhelming to-do lists are easier if a job is enjoyable.
But many may not know what they can do to feel happier at work.
Professor Cary Cooper is a psychology and health professor at the University of Manchester, who led a UK government research project on how wellbeing and resilience changes throughout a person's life.
Writing for The Conversation, Professor Cooper, with the help of think-tank New Economics Foundation, revealed his seven tips for finding happiness at work.
It's somewhere an average person will spend 90,000 hours at over their lifetime, so as work is more of a necessity than a choice, it helps if it's enjoyable but what can you do to feel happier at work? (stock image)
Squeezing in exercise around work may be the last thing workers want to do after a long day.
But Professor Cooper says keeping active outside of business hours could be key to happiness in any workplace.
He says while exercise won't make your problems or stress disappear, it can reduce 'emotional intensity' and give you 'mental space' to sort out issues.
And the NHS describes it as a 'miracle cure', saying exercise can reduce risk of major illnesses such as coronary heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and cancer.
Research has found that exercise really does improve your mood, as it boosts levels of the happy hormones — serotonin and dopamine.
Exercising also increases your heart rate, which pumps more oxygen to the brain. A well-oxygenated brain has been found to help manage anxiety and depression.
Professor Cooper suggests walking to and from work as a means of creating separation from the work day.
But he says if that isn't possible, you can get off the bus a stop early, be active at lunchtime or find an exercise class to do before you start work.
Connect with peopleIt can sometimes feel like you should keep your head down at work.
But Professor Cooper says that relationships with others are often what makes people happiest.
'It’s also worth getting to know your colleagues,' he adds. 'The more you invest in your relationships at work, the more enjoyable you may find your day.'
And working as part of a team or helping others can enhance your self-esteem, according to a 2017 study published in the Journal of Adolescence.
As well as those in the office, your relationships outside of work can also be key to you feeling happy when you're there, according to Professor Cooper.
He says that during the pandemic people felt isolated and their wellbeing suffered due to a lack of social contact.
He explained: 'A good support network of family and friends can minimise your work troubles and help you see things differently.'
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