A new Ohio State University study indicates that the level of satisfaction you have with your job in your 20’s and 30’s is linked to your overall health in your early 40’s.
With this in mind, dissatisfied young workers thinking they have plenty of time to figure out their career may want to learn how to be happy at work now. Here are easy and science-backed tips for feeling happy at work.
1. Stop sacrificing your well being to get more done.
“If I stay here late tonight and finish this project….”
“I’m hungry and a lunch break sounds great, but I need to …”
“I’ll have to skip my morning workout so I can get right to working on…”
Can you complete any of these sentences? If so, you – like so many others – are probably sacrificing your well being today, thinking the payoff will be there tomorrow. Perhaps there are short-term gains from these behaviors, but over the long-term, you’re doing yourself and your work a disservice. Take care of yourself, and feel better knowing that your job isn’t interfering with your health. In fact, a healthy worker is usually a better worker.
2. Lay off social media.
Research repeatedly links depression to social media use, citing that users compare their own circumstances to what they see others posting about. Do you have friends who post about their enviable job perks, share pictures from their seemingly glamorous work travels, or announcing an impressive new position they’ve accepted? Remember that people post the highlight reel of their life on social media. We all have good days and bad days.
3. Pay attention to your breathing.
Focusing on your breath is an easy way to slow down. Center yourself and become present; this will reduce stress. Lengthen your exhales to decrease your heart rate and feel calmer when things get tense at work. Then, you’ll likely be happier and more productive.
4. Focus on what’s right. 
I think we all have been guilty of using negative feelings or experiences to drive motivation. This can work, but don’t think that self-criticism is going to be the biggest force that pushes you. Instead, focus on strengths, what you do well, what you like about your job. It’ll go much further to energize and motivate you which will only lead to more successes at work.
5. Put a plant in your work space.
It’s as simple as that. Research shows that this can help with how good you feel while you’re at work.
With happiness at work linked to long-term health outcomes, it is important for young workers to take steps that promote positive feelings about their workplace and career. There are many ideas, big and small, that you can implement to promote workplace happiness. What do you need to do to evoke happy feelings at work?
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