Video: How to Create Happier Work Environments with Qian Julie Wang
New York Times best selling author and civil rights lawyer Qian Julie Wang shares how she believes happiness can be better fostered in the workplace.

What does it mean to be happy at work?

Happiness at work refers to how satisfied a professional is personally or professionally while in their workspace. Someone who’s happy at work often is more focused, relaxed and productive, and they may be more likely to perform their tasks more effectively and improve the morale of their office.They also can showcase their strengths to their manager better and develop more reliable, meaningful relationships with coworkers. Professionals who communicate with customers may be more successful and receive better reviews if they’re happy at work. People can become happy at work for many reasons, and some of the main contributing factors can include:

Progress: Professionals who feel like they achieve things and are improving their skills may be more likely to be happy. These feelings can help them think they’re becoming a better person, which can improve their confidence.  

Rewards: People who receive rewards for doing good work may have more job satisfaction than those who don’t. These rewards can help keep them motivated and provide an incentive to continue practicing good habits.

Autonomy: Professionals who have control over their daily tasks make take more pride and responsibility in their work. This can create a feeling of trust, which may make them appreciate their job more and improve their happiness. 

Relationships: When people work with peers who they get along with and have positive relationships with, they can feel like they’re in a more supportive work environment. They make want to take part in the shared successes of the company, which can create more happiness.

25 tips for how to be happy at work

Consider these tips to help you be happier at your workplace:

1. Know that your work has meaning

No matter what your job title is or what industry you work in, the responsibilities you perform often have an important impact. Your organization may rely on you to meet its goals, and the work you do may benefit the public in some form. This means your job has meaning and recognizing that can help you feel happier about the work you do. Related: Top 55 Meaningful Jobs To Pursue

2. Find reasons to celebrate

Celebrations can bring happiness into the office, so consider celebrating after finishing a team project. You can also celebrate birthdays, life events and personal or professional milestones. These celebrations can range from something small, such as a group email that praises good work, or something large, such as an office party. 

3. Contribute to the corporate charity

If your workplace has a corporate charity that it donates to, consider signing up for payroll deductions. Knowing that you’re contributing to a greater cause can help you feel you’re making a greater difference in the world. Unselfish acts like this also can improve your work reputation, which can provide you with even higher job satisfaction.

4. Take small breaks throughout the day

Even if you’re busy, it’s important to take small breaks to keep from stressing out too much. Think about taking a 10-minute break between each major task to give yourself time to refresh before working again. A break can include walking around the building or stretching at your desk.

5. Say thank you

Common pleasantries, like saying thank you, can make a major difference in your day-to-day interactions at work. When you thank your coworkers, it shows them you appreciate their time and knowledge. This can contribute to a stronger relationship between yourself and your teammates.

6. Ask for feedback

If you’d be happier with more frequent feedback, consider asking for it. Feedback can give you positive reinforcement and provide you with important information you can use to improve your skills and account for any gaps in your experience that you can fill. It also can improve your relationship with your managers because they may feel like you’re more invested in the company and its success.

7. Request more responsibility

Some employees feel happy when they have autonomy. Consider asking your manager for more responsibilities and suggest that you can give them a status update about certain parts of the project. In this way, you’re more in control of your work and the meetings you have with your supervisor.

8. Maintain a healthy work-life balance

Establishing boundaries between your personal and professional responsibilities can improve your happiness in several ways. For example, it can reduce your stress by allowing you to relax after your workday, which can cause you to feel more motivated and energetic when you return to work. It also can increase your job satisfaction if you feel like your workplace lets you take personal time.

9. Stay hydrated

When you’re hydrated, you often experience more mental clarity and focus, which can improve your happiness level. Consider having a bottle or glass of water at your desk to drink throughout the day. This also allows you to take periodic breaks to visit the water cooler for a refill and talk with your coworkers for a minute.

10. Organize group events

The more you get to know your coworkers on a personal level, the more fun you may have at work. Think about organizing group events like a happy hour, lunch or holiday outing. This can help you form relationships with your professional peers, help you grow your network and create a sense of belonging in the workplace.

11. Decorate your office space

An office space that reflects your personality can make you feel happy. You can bring in pictures, a plant or some other object that reminds you of your home. These personal items also can help you relax and feel more comfortable, which can improve your productivity.

12. Make smart meal choices

If you’re in the middle of a large project, you may feel tempted to visit the vending machine for lunch, but it’s important to have nourishing food. Explore meal options that keep you full and satisfied may give you the energy to last throughout the rest of the workday. Eating well also can help you feel physically better, which can improve your happiness. 

13. Use your paid time off

If you accrue paid time off, try to use it every year. You can allocate some time for a vacation away from the office. Even if you just explore the city you live in, it can be a pleasant break from your standard workweek, and you can come back feeling refreshed and happy.

14. Get along with your coworkers

Part of working with a group is understanding how to communicate with unique personalities. Although you may not be able to adjust someone else’s attitude, you can adjust how you interact with them to help you maintain your happiness. If you have a disagreement with a coworker, consider counting to 10 before responding or speaking to them in person versus over email.

15. Reward yourself

Happiness can come naturally when you feel motivated and goal-oriented. One way to get into this mindset is by developing a reward system for yourself. If you’ve been avoiding a task, try to assign an award to it to make it a little more fun.

16. Keep a gratitude journal

A good way to create happiness is by realizing what you have to be happy about. Consider keeping a gratitude journal where you write everything you’re grateful for about your job. You may be grateful for the office coffee machine, the ability to chat with coworkers during downtime or your short commute.

17. Develop a good relationship with your manager

Because your manager has power over your promotions and career path at the company, it’s important to have a great relationship with them. When you do, you may feel more comfortable discussing your goals and feel supported. Developing a relationship with them also may benefit you when you look for a new job because they may be more willing to write you a strong letter of recommendation.

18. Join committees

If your workplace has committees you can sign up for, consider doing so. There may be committees for diversity or workplace events, but the important thing is to find something you’re passionate about. Committees can allow you to step away from your desk and contribute to your organization in a different way, which can improve your job satisfaction.

19. Take advantage of office perks

If your company provides perks, try to use them to your advantage. These can include a discount on your cellphone bill or free lunch in the corporate cafeteria. These benefits are there to make you happy and let you know you’re valued.Related: 71 Employee Perk Ideas

20. Sleep well

It’s important to get a good night of sleep consistently to help you feel well-rested for your workday. Getting into a habit of waking up at the same time each morning and going to bed at the same time each night can help you adjust and have a more reliable sleep schedule. This can help you focus better and think more creatively at work, which can help you succeed.

21. Create a work playlist

Music can improve your mood and focus, so consider creating a playlist specific to your work. You can have multiple ones depending on your mood, such as upbeat music when you’re on a deadline crunch or instrumental music when you’re writing a report. The right music can help you feel better and contribute to your creativity.Related: Should You Listen To Music at Work? (With Tips)

22. Sign up for conferences

Continual learning in your field can bring some happiness because you feel prepared for different responsibilities and have more education. You then can use these skills to make a more impactful difference on your team. These conferences also can help you expand your network and grow your skills, both of which are important to advancing in your career.

23. Have fun

Even though it’s a place of business, you can still have fun at work. Try encouraging your manager to allow board games so the team can have fun during your breaks. You can also consider bringing in a puzzle for yourself. To do this, consider developing the kind of relationship with your coworkers that allows you to joke around during your shift, as long as it’s appropriate.Read more: 26 Ways To Make Work Fun

24. Exercise regularly

Regular exercise can release endorphins to make you happy. If you exercise before work or during your break, you may be more likely to come back to the office with a surge of happiness. If your job requires you to perform physical duties, working out can allow you to be more effective in your work, which can improve your job satisfaction.

25. Ask for a raise or promotion

When you feel deserving, consider asking your manager for a raise or promotion. If you get it, you can feel happy getting recognized for your hard work. This also can come with better work hours or more money, both of which can help you establish more positive behaviors.Read more: Why I Deserve a Raise: 7 Reasons and How To Ask for One

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15 additional tips for being happy at work

Here are some other things you can do to help you become happy at work:

Create goals for yourself
Sign up for a workplace mentor
Organize your space
Take a lunch break
Mentor another coworker
Avoid conflict
Imagine a positive future with your company
Find a best friend at work
Smile at others in the office
Help a coworker
Know your worth
Get to know employees in other departments
Change your routine
Avoid negativity
Keep a candy jar at your desk