Matters Fortify Against The Flu At Work With Feng Shui (NAPSA)—Chances are your job makes you sick—literally. According to one recent survey, conducted by Morar Consulting for Staples, 73 percent of American workers report catching a cold orthe flu at work. Fortunately, there are ways employers and office managers can reduce this risk for employees. To help maximize total well-being this season, Staples, along with Feng Shui expert Susan Chan, created energy-enhancingtips for your office space. Make YourOffice A Flu-Free and More Zen Zone According to the Centers for Dis- ease Control and Prevention, the flu vi- rus canlive for up to 48 hoursafter being left behind on a surface, so make sure employees have access to surface-cleaning wipes and handsanitizers. Fixes that improve air quality not only help overall office health traditionally, but also holistically, by improving energy flow. Solutions include: dusting air vents regularly, opening windows whenever possible, introducing plants, which are natural air purifiers, or purchasingair purifiers andfilters. Replace fluorescent lighting with full-spectrumlights (lighting that mimics naturallight) or add a full-spectrum lamp to your desktop to use during the day. Office managerscan usethe Staples Business Advantage program to pur- chasethese lights for theoffice. Use upward-facing lighting as much as you can. Chansaysit lifts chi and overall energy. eIntroduce revitalizing colors. Green and purple are considered wood elements in Feng Shui. Lush and healing, wood elements bring the energy of vibrant health, vitality and growth to a workspace. Yellows, Chan says, pro- mote health and help you feel ground- tla Vata x ga | 2 aia 2 Improve total wellness and enhance office energy this flu season by pairing commonflu-preventing activities, such as promoting regular hand washing and disinfecting surfaces, with Feng Shui principles. ed. These colors can be added in the form of photos, images or accent pieces such as desk accessories. Add natural elements such asliving things to commonareas, like plants ora fish tank, to promote optimum chi. e These tips can apply to employee workspaces and common areas. Keep commonareas such as breakrooms and conference rooms uncluttered to help workers feel smooth energy. Encouragestaff to return things to where they belong to stay focused and conscientious. Keep the doors to conference rooms open between meetings to promoteairflow. Learn More For more information on howto fight the flu, visit Staples & Wellness Center at www.staplesadvantage.com/ healthandwellness. Office managers and decision makers can visit Staples Advantage.com for everything from design tips to improve office energy and productivity to whatever you may need to increase total wellness. Learn more about Feng Shui and its principles at www.fengshuicreative.com.
