Working at a desk all day can be exhausting. It comes with not so much physical, but mental fatigue - whether you are based at home or in an office, sitting in the same chair, staring at the same screen for hours at a time can lead to a lot of problems, the least of which is boredom. It is scientifically proven fact that a bored or tired mind performs less well in all areas of  mental activity. This is the biggest problem of the modern work environment - how to get a good balance of stimulating and relaxing surroundings? This article features a variety of ideas for turning both an office workspace and one at home into a wonderfully stimulating and engaging place, which is more conducive to any kind of intellectual labor.

1.    The first step is always to plan out your workspace. The very word can have a variety of meanings. If you're in an office, for example, the standard configuration would be desk, chair and computer, without much room for your creative input. However, if you're trying to create a good work environment for yourself at home, this could mean a whole variety of thing.

2.    Think about what you need this space for. It may be to do a computer-based job, in which case a similar setup might be necessary. You might need a recording and audio editing suite, with the appropriate equipment. It may be a craft space, with either a craft table, or with a more creative look - cushions, spread out on the floor, boxes of craft materials in the corner, etc. You may simply need this space to do homework/coursework, in which case pick the position and setup that you feel best stimulates your productivity. If you feel you're at your best while lounging about on a futon, do that. When you're organizing your own personal space, do what's best for you.

3.    Consider where to put your work station. Ideally, this should be in a corner or room, which gets lots of natural light, as sunlight tends to lift your spirits and stimulate productivity.

4.    Consider all of the furniture, equipment and materials you're going to need for your work. This includes storage. If, for example, you intend to make craft jewelry, you're going to be dealing with a lot of small and easy to lose pieces, so it may be a good idea to get some boxes and compartments to store those in. When planning where to put each item, try to picture your work process. Always place the most frequently used items closest to your work station and the once that you rarely need - farther away.

5.    3. Decorate. This does not mean to necessarily deck your station in butterfly garlands and glitter. Think of things that you find stimulating - favorite colors to paint the walls in, and things you find inspiring in your work.. These can be anything from posters with good graphic design to sketches of engines - find things that will make this space interesting to you, so that you don't have to see an empty grey wall every time you look up from your work. Naturally, if you're working in an office, your choices of décor will be more limited, but try not to stick to the standard of a calendar, a coffee mug and a family photo.

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