How to stay sane in your open office

It’s official. Open offices are a bad idea. Yet somehow, almost everyone with an office job works in one.

While supporters will say that open offices increase collaboration and productivity, critics will say that it does the opposite – some going as far to say that open offices are bad for your mental and physical health.

If you’re stuck in an open office, here are some tips to help you stay sane:

Arm yourself with disinfectant

With flu season around the corner, it’s wise to BYO disinfectant to the office – especially if you don’t sit at the same spot every day. It’s a good idea to regularly wipe down your work surface, phone receiver, mouse and any other office equipment. If you’re feeling sick, don’t be a hero. Stay at home and help break the open office illness cycle. Your coworkers will thank you.

Invest in some good quality headphones

Think of headphones as your personal do not disturb sign. Good headphones are essential when you need to focus and drown out the sound of your coworkers’ chatter. Plug in and listen to some soothing tunes or ambient noise, which has been linked to increased productivity.

Work from home

If your open office is truly driving you insane, talk to your boss to see if you can arrange to work from home a few days a week. Bring some facts to back up your request. If your boss is reluctant, set up a trial period so you can prove yourself.