There are some hard questions that you need to ask about your work area. Because you spend so much time there, you must stop and think about how things are arranged and how you feel about your work station. So many things are involved - organization, your health and your ability to communicate with others. It can be difficult sometimes to find these things on your own, so don't be afraid to recruit a friend or two to help you through this process.

1. Do you like your office? This can refer to décor, arrangement of furniture, smells, sounds and other things that affect and intrude work spaces. If there are things in your office that you don't like, you need to make some changes. A simple paint-job can help make the room feel more natural and warm. It's easy to get used to things and not even realize that you are being irritated each day. Stop and think about what might need to be changed to make your office a better place to work. Sometimes, just simple, inexpensive changes can make all the difference.

2. How is your lighting? Your lighting should make it easier for you to see and you should have the ability to make changes to your lighting if necessary. Natural light will help reduce your stress and fatigue, while helping you to be more productive and healthy. If you don't have access to direct sunlight, then full-spectrum tubes, rather than fluorescent tubes, will help you feel better right away.

3. Do you have enough room? Sometimes, things get moved into the office and before you know it, you don't have much room to move around. Your office can get overrun with odds and ends such as boxes and unnecessary pieces of furniture. Quickly take inventory in your office to see what does not need to be there. Extra things in the office just makes clutter and confusion.

4. Are you organized? You are going to experience more stress if you are not organized. Not being organized means searching for papers and files, getting frustrated, and feeling quite inadequate. Because staying organized is a never-ending process, everyone struggles with it. However, making some simple changes in the way you handle things can help you avoid problems later. You will find that stopping long enough to get organized is time well spent.

5. How do you feel at work? If your health is suffering and you aren't feeling well by the end of your workday, you need to find out what is causing the problem. If your legs are sore, take the time to evaluate why. It could be that your legs aren't reaching the floor because your desk chair is too high. Are your arms and hands feeling cramped? Again, think about what changes you can make to give your body the support it needs.

6. Do you take enough breaks in your day? Even if you consider yourself to be a focused person, breaks are absolutely necessary to give your body and mind a rest. You will find yourself energized and refreshed in both body and mind by taking a short walk outside. The change in environment will help you return to work with greater energy and clarity of mind. Both your attitude and work performance will improve if you take occasional breaks.

7. Are you using products that are ergonomic? You will enjoy better health by using ergonomic products. Your office chair is a very important piece of furniture if you spending most of your day at the computer. Your chair should be comfortable and provide your body with the support it needs. Your back, neck, arms, legs, hands, shoulders, and feet all need to be protected from too much stress through repetition or incorrect positioning. Ergonomic products give your body the support it needs.

8. Are things easy to reach? If you use the phone frequently, it should be close by so you are not reaching for it all day long. Bring often-used files closer to your location so you can avoid bending and stretching throughout the day. Anything that you use frequently - a stapler, tape, paper clips, copy paper, folders, pens - they should be near where you work so you can get to them without causing stress and strain to your body.

9. Are you staying hydrated? Although coffee is the preferred beverage of the office, it has been proven that coffee can in fact cause your body to become dehydrated due to the effects of the caffeine. Water is the best thing you can drink during the day. Water can help clear your mind, cleanse your body and rid the body of toxins.

10. Are you eating properly? Of course, along with the coffee, office workers are known to indulge in sweets such as doughnuts and muffins for breakfast. These types of food should not be your usual breakfast, although it is okay to have them for a treat sometimes. Eating some food with protein and complex carbohydrates such as fruit will help stabilize your blood sugar, helping your brain to function better and giving you more energy to get through the day.