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. It can be as easy as painting the walls a more natural and pleasing color. 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 is the healthiest, as it will help you be more productive and reduce your stress and fatigue. 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. Boxes, extra pieces of furniture, and other odds and ends can quickly take over. When you walk into your office next time, see if there is anything that needs to be either put away or discarded. No one needs extra junk in the office to take up space and add more clutter.

4. Are you organized? If you aren't organized, you are going to experience more stress. 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. Set a timer and give yourself the breaks you need to improve your work performance and attitude.

7. Are you using products that are ergonomic? You will enjoy better health by using ergonomic products. In other words, if you are spending most of your day at the computer, your office chair is very important. 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. If you use the same files throughout the day, bring them closer so you can avoid stretching and bending. 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. The best thing to drink during the day is water. You will cleanse your body of unwanted toxins and help clear your mind by drinking water throughout the day.

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. Although it's nice to give yourself a treat, these foods should not be the staple of your morning food. 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.