As more healthy foods are emerging, so is the delicious, bubbly, and gut-friendly Kombucha. It has long been a player in the wellness world and this trendy drink has taken the world by storm. Many tout it as a magically healthy elixir but do kombucha benefits really live up to the hype?
In this article, we will be diving into the potential health benefits of this bubbly fermented drink (yes, there are many.) So, read on to discover these top 10 compelling reasons you should be including this beverage in your diet.
What Is Kombucha?
If kombucha has yet to make it into your vernacular, here’s a quick 101: kombucha is a lightly effervescent beverage that is made through the fermentation process. It is produced by fermenting tea, typically black or green, using a colony of bacteria and yeast called a “scoby.”
If you haven’t got a clue what SCOBY is, it’s an acronym that stands for symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeasts — which looks like a flat beige mushroom left in the back of a cupboard for a week or two.
It sounds a little weird, right? Don’t let it turn you off! It tastes better than you think, particularly when brewed with flavor combinations like lemongrass and ginger or pomegranate and passion fruit. Plus sugar makes it more palatable.
The hype surrounding the beverage can be attributed to its oddly addicting taste that may just cure soda cravings. It is a drink that people can chug down one after another, free of guilt. It also contains a slight amount of alcohol, as stated on most commercial products’ labels.
These beneficial compounds join forces to create a super drink! Here’s the breakdown on kombucha benefits and how this fizzy drink can change your health…
1. Kombucha Contains Antioxidants
Antioxidants are substances that fight free radicals (reactive molecules that can damage your cells.) Many scientists believe that antioxidants from foods and beverages are better for your health than antioxidant supplements.
Kombucha, especially when made with green tea, appears to have antioxidant effects in your liver. The glucuronic acid in kombucha binds to toxins, which allows the kidneys and liver to push them out faster. Toxins can be anything from harmful carcinogens to pollution we’re exposed to on a daily basis.
Removing these toxins from the body is an effective way to improve overall health. In fact, studies have shown drinking kombucha regularly reduces liver toxicity caused by dangerous chemicals by 70% in some cases. These kombucha benefits are a huge boost for detoxification, damage repair, and digestion!
2. Kombucha Is A Potential Source Of Probiotics
Kombucha is made by adding specific strains of bacteria, yeast, and sugar to black or green tea, then allowing it to ferment for a week or more.
During this process, bacteria and yeast form a mushroom-like film on the surface of the liquid. This blob is a living symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY) and can be used to ferment new kombucha.
Further, during the fermentation process that takes place to produce kombucha, a large amount of probiotic bacteria is produced. It also produces acetic acid and several other acidic compounds, as well as trace levels of alcohol and gases that make it carbonated.
For this reason, adding beverages like kombucha might have many health benefits.
3. Kombucha Supports A Healthy Gut
As you already know, kombucha benefits include high levels of probiotics, enzymes, and acids. These top ingredients are effective at eliminating heartburn, ulcers, and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).
Probiotics are basically your stomach’s best friend as they provide your gut with healthy bacteria. These bacteria can improve many aspects of health including balancing the digestive system and ensuring that good bacteria thrives.
Here’s a fun fact: a healthy human body has 3-5 pounds of beneficial bacteria and microbes (called the microbiome), but the microbiome can be depleted by stress, alcohol use, antibiotics, and other harmful organisms.
So by drinking kombucha, you may be able to help replenish lost gut bacteria. These good gut bacteria or Probiotics can help deter or provide relief from problems like IBS, diarrhea, and constipation.
4. Kombucha Contributes To Weight Loss
As mentioned above, one of the best kombucha benefits is its probiotic content, or in other words, its “good bacteria.”
Nearly every single cell in our body relies on bacteria. Some of the same beneficial bacteria that give yogurt its health claims can also be found in kombucha. These good gut bugs also aid in proper digestion, as do the enzymes present in kombucha.
Thus, a properly functioning digestive tract and healthy gut flora not only positively impact overall health, but also weight loss. By helping to rebalance proper gut bacteria, this in turn aids in digestion, nutrient absorption, and overall metabolism.
When our body can function optimally, it is more efficient at burning fat and weight loss efforts. Plus, Kombucha has been shown in some scientific models to lower bad cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides while increasing good cholesterol (HDL).
Apart from that, kombucha may aid in weight loss when it is made with green tea. A 2008 study found that obese people who took green tea extract burned more calories and lost more weight than those who did not.
5. Kombucha Can Kill Bacteria
One of the main substances produced during the fermentation of kombucha is acetic acid, which is also abundant in vinegar.
Studies have shown that the polyphenols in tea, acetic acid, are able to kill many potentially harmful microorganisms. Kombucha made from black or green tea appears to have strong antibacterial properties, particularly against infection-causing bacteria.
These antimicrobial effects suppress the growth of undesirable bacteria and yeasts, but they do not affect the beneficial, probiotic bacteria and yeasts involved in kombucha fermentation.
All in all, all the mentioned studies have shown that kombucha contains both antibiotic and antimicrobial components. It has the ability to kill bad bacteria (such as E. coli, salmonella, and shigella). Protection against these bacteria may help stave off food poisoning.
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6. Kombucha Contains Vitamins and Minerals
One of the Kombucha benefits lauded by long-time drinkers are the vitamins and minerals it contains.
Kombucha has B vitamins (B1, B2, B6, and B12, to be specific), which are essential for maintaining and producing new, healthy cells. In fact, Kombucha naturally contains approximately 100 times the amount of vitamin B12 found in lamb.
Drinking this ‘vitamin B cocktail’ found in kombucha helps your skin glow and strengthens your hair and nails.
Apart from that, kombucha contains a number of essential minerals in small amounts, namely zinc, copper, iron, manganese, nickel, and cobalt. Zinc and copper are important for immunity and enzymatic reactions, whereas iron is needed for hemoglobin to carry oxygen within the bloodstream.
It’s important to note that every batch of kombucha is different, so nutrient content will vary according to the quality of water, the type of sugar and the composition of the fungus.
7. Kombucha May Provide The Benefits Of Energy Drinks
Most commercially processed energy drinks contain large amounts of chemicals and sugars which give the body a temporary boost of energy and cause immediate lows as well.
During the fermentation process of Kombucha, black tea releases iron, small amounts of caffeine, and B-vitamins, all of which are known for providing energy to the human body. Hence, it can be a healthier and natural alternative to most energy drinks we know.
In fact, many people drink kombucha for this very reason. Kombucha has become a staple of many people’s diets due to its ability to supply much-needed energy and vitality. Plus, it comes with the added benefits of nutrients and good bacteria to keep the gut health in check.
8. Kombucha May Help Protect Against Cancer
Cancer is one of the world’s leading causes of death, causing cell mutation and uncontrolled cell growth.
Studies have shown that Kombucha can prevent the growth and spread of cancer cells thanks to its high antioxidants and polyphenols. The polyphenols block the gene mutation and growth of cancer cells and kill them on contact.
For this reason, it is not surprising that tea drinkers are much less likely to develop various types of cancer.
9. Kombucha Balances Blood Sugar
In addition to kombucha’s effect on gut health, acids such as acetic acid can help with blood sugar regulation as well. But wait, 90% of the sugar included in the process is used up during the fermentation process, right?
Yes! But it is the sugar that the yeast and bacteria eat, similar to what happens in making bread, wine, beer, etc. Therefore, in its raw organic form, it is far from a sugar-laden drink you may otherwise be drinking, and could serve as a great alternative to your soda or fruit juice!
The component that gives kombucha its vinegar-like pungent taste (acetic acid), is also a property that has been shown to positively impact insulin sensitivity and help reduce fasting blood sugars. This acid may interfere with the breakdown of sugar and starches, and therefore not have the same impact on blood glucose.
On that note, kombucha may help manage type-2 diabetes. Research suggests that the antioxidants in kombucha may help reduce the impact of oxidative stress caused by diabetes. This appears to be especially true in terms of liver and kidney function, which are generally weak in those with diabetes.
10. Kombucha Strengthens The Immune System
One of the best things that cultured foods do is to boost your immune system. Your gut is responsible for 80 percent of your immune system. The more good bacteria you have, the better your immune system is.
As you already know that kombucha is a fermented tea that could have the bacteria we are looking for to help rebuild or restore our gut health, therefore, it may help stimulate the immune system. Probiotics, specifically from those in fermented foods and gleaned from the fermentation process, can strengthen our natural defenses against harmful microbes and some forms of illnesses.
Lastly, kombucha also contains DSL and vitamin C, which may fend off inflammatory diseases, tumors, cell damage, and other concerns. In fact, it has three times more vitamin C than an orange (151 milligrams per 100 milliliters of kombucha compared with an orange’s 51.1 milligrams). Having lots of vitamin C in your diet is a great way to keep your immune system healthy.
Final Thoughts
This beverage, which has been consumed for centuries, helps boost the immune system, detoxify the body, and enhance overall energy.
You can purchase it in stores or make it yourself at home (or office). However, be sure to prepare it properly. If made properly or bought in-store, kombucha is a probiotic-rich drink enjoyed as part of a healthful diet.
This drink’s benefits make it sound worth a shot, but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t been without its share of concerns. Check out our previous article where we dispel myths surrounding kombucha and reveal the truth about this concoction that is hitting the market by storm: Is Kombucha Really Good For You?
At the end of the day, drinking kombucha may help you on your journey to a healthier lifestyle and can be a healthier alternative to soda and other sugary drinks. Give it a try for yourself!
Make sure to share this article with anyone you think could use it!
When you find yourself in need of wine, coffee, kombucha, tea, beer, or snacks for your office or event, shoot us a message!
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If you’re like most people, you occasionally indulge in high-calorie junk foods that have little nutritional value.
It’s okay to enjoy the occasional treat, but you need to keep in mind that calories add up fast. Unhealthy snacks also have a direct impact on your cognitive performance, which is why a poor decision at lunch can derail an entire afternoon.
Unfortunately, the majority of people have no clue how many calories are in the foods that they eat but justify them spending 30 minutes jogging or in the gym. Most of us believe that our exercise program will somehow make up for the way we eat.
We oftentimes find ourselves using the excuse that we can eat whatever we want because our exercise offsets the excess calories taken in. The truth is, this way of thinking is typically a setup to fail.
So, we have lined up 8 unhealthy snacks we love, how many calories they contain, and how much exercise it will take for you to burn these off.
If you want to learn more about healthy snacks, with 50 snack ideas, check out our healthy snack guide!
What makes an unhealthy snack?
Whether because of the sneaky calories or suspect toxins in the packaging, many snacks could be sabotaging your health.
The most common unhealthy foods include highly processed items such as junk foods which are high in calories from sugar or fat, with little dietary fiber, protein, vitamins or minerals.
On the flip side, a healthy snack is high in nutritional value (protein, vitamins, minerals, fiber) but relatively low in calories, total fat, saturated fat (no trans fat), sugar, and sodium. And the most important part of that equation is “high in nutritional value.“
To help you choose the best and healthiest snacks, here’s our ultimate guide to Healthy Office Snacks.
So now, let’s compare our favorite high-calorie foods to the amount of exercise required to burn them off. Remember that this article is not meant to pressure or scare anybody — actually, it’s empowering to know this stuff.
All calories listed are estimates and workout times may vary depending on a variety of factors, including age, gender, and weight. So take these as general estimates and adjust based on ability and outcome.
1. Soft Drinks
It is easy to have a few servings of soda a day without thinking about it. Like other sweetened drinks, the calories from these drinks can add up quickly. Most provide little or no nutrients and contain large amounts of added sugar.
A 350 mL can of your favorite soda contains roughly 170 calories. To burn off these calories, you may need 12 to 14 minutes of cardio or 20-25 minutes of weight training.
More than that, when consumed in excess, soft drinks can adversely affect your health, from increased chances of tooth decay to a consistent risk factor for weight gain and obesity.
Who likes saying NO to a piece of chocolate? Its rich pleasant smell and flavor bring a smile to our face at a glance. It’s also true that it helps to play a vital role in our body.
There are awesome health benefits in chocolate that can’t be ignored– It is a powerful medium of antioxidants, it helps keep our blood pressure balanced, and it stimulates our brainpower.
However, an average 50g bar of chocolate contains 230-275 calories. The most effective ways to burn these off range from 55 minutes of power walking, 35 minutes of bike riding, to 27 minutes of jogging.
So if you really have a sweet tooth and cannot manage to have one of these exercises due to your busy work week, there are some healthier alternatives for a standard chocolate bar. You can usually find brands that offer sugar-free options or even organic chocolate products. Although these will sometimes still contain sugar, you will find the nutritional labels are free of additives and preservatives, and other nasty things you want to try and avoid.
Pizza is undeniably one of the best foods on earth and nothing can change that! However, it also has long been vilified as one of the biggest junk foods because it’s high in calories, saturated fat, and sodium.
A slice of regular crust pizza with cheese contains 290 to 340 calories. It contains high levels of sodium, about 551 milligrams. The calorie and nutrient content will vary depending on the base, the amount of cheese used, and toppings.
And we are sure that when you are hungry, you wouldn’t stop at one slice. To undo one slice of pizza, you need to plan a 90-minute long walk at 3.5 mph or 43 minutes of slow running at 5mph. It’s like engaging in household cleaning work for roughly 2 hours!
So pizza can be unhealthy? Yes! However, you can enjoy a couple of slices once in a while as long as you follow a good exercise routine. Preferably, order a pizza with lots of veggies, thin-crust, lean meat such as chicken, and a limited amount of cheese.
These space-saving treadmills are perfect for your indoor long walk and slow runnings:
White potatoes are very healthy. However, the same cannot be said of the products that are made from them, such as French fries!
A staple in many American homes, the simple French fry is a tasty side dish that can help you to feel full. However, calories add up quickly when eating fried foods. Deep frying french fries makes them a junk food very high in fat, and a high-fat diet increases your risk of becoming overweight.
And more often than not, you’re adding a side of fries to a usually already hefty sandwich or burger. That burger and fries meal alone could rack up more than a thousand calories!
Now let’s talk about French fries calories and nutrition profile. A medium french fries contains about 380 calories. To burn these off, you may need to plan for about 40 minutes of cardio, 50 minutes of biking, or 98 minutes of walking. Alternatively, 40 minutes of vigorous swimming or 64 minutes of weightlifting will also help you get rid of those extra calories!
You oftentimes find yourself dunking your doughnut into a cup of hot, steaming coffee. Most of us love that!
It’s true that a doughnut will give you energy. However, it is loaded with sugar and trans fat, which aren’t good for your heart or your waistline. The approximately 24.6 grams of carbohydrates in a medium-sized doughnut don’t contribute much to your health.
While the occasional doughnut isn’t likely to hurt you, regularly making them as part of your diet might. The average doughnut contains between 200 and 350 calories, which averages out to about one-tenth or more of your total calorie limit for the entire day.
You’re doing well if your doughnut only contains about 9 grams of sugar, such as the average cake doughnut. Otherwise, you would have to swim for about 35 minutes, walk for 54 minutes, or attend an hour-long yoga class to burn those calories off!. This could also mean hours in the gym depending on the intensity of your workout session.
A slice of cheesecake roughly contains 257 calories. In fact, the cheesecake part is made from a ‘soft cheese’ such as mascarpone, or cream cheese which is between 30-50% fat, softened with some double cream that is about 54% fat.
On that note, it’s one of the naughtiest desserts that ever existed. A generous slice of cheesecake can set you back nearly a thousand calories (nearly half of an average man’s daily caloric intake, and around half of a woman’s), and an unhealthy slab of your fat and saturated fat intake for the day. Some particularly decadent cheesecakes can contain your whole suggested caloric intake for the day!
To burn the calories off, you may need to work out by doing 24 minutes of running, 13 minutes of jumping rope, 25 minutes of CrossFit burpees, OR 37 minutes of walking at an average pace!
Ice cream is made by churning and chilling a mixture containing high-fat milk or cream, fructose, or glucose-based sweeteners, usually in the form of corn syrup, and flavorings such as vanilla or chocolate.
On that note, it has a pretty substantial downside. Between those high sugar and fat contents and an ingredient that can cause potentially fatal gastrointestinal issues, this sweet treat should be enjoyed only in moderation.
A single 100g scoop of ice cream will weigh in at 130 to 250 calories depending on how creamy it is. Like all dairy products, ice cream is also high in fat. A 1/2-cup serving of a leading brand of the most widely consumed flavor of ice cream, vanilla, contains 9 grams of fat.
Approximately speaking, you will be needing 22 minutes of jogging or 41 minutes of squats to burn off 170 calories of normal ice cream. But ice cream with higher calories such as a magnum (244 calories), 32 minutes of jogging, 57 minutes of squats, or 57 minutes of push-ups can say goodbye to those calories.
Resistance Bands are a great tool to do squats and overall body exercise both for men and women:
While some junk foods can be enjoyed in small amounts, we know we can’t eat just one chip! As such, it’s best to steer clear. Some packaged chips and other salty snacks contain a significant amount of trans fats, plus they often pack too much-saturated fat, salt, and sugar.
As Boston-based nutritionist Laura Hartung says, “Most chips offer little to no nutritional value and are basically fried carbs full of fat with a little added salt.”
Each type of chip has a different number of calories — in general, though, potato and corn chips have a high caloric content. A typical single-serving bag of salted potato chips (2oz) contains about 310 calories while the same size bag of white corn chips contains about 276 calories.
For reference, 31 minutes of walking or 16 minutes of running will help you burn off 171 calories of potato chips.
Conversely, if you continually munch on unhealthy chips without working out, you’ll hold onto those extra calories in the form of accumulated fat on your body.
Tempting unhealthy snacks can be found everywhere these days and in ever-growing portions. Some of these snacks contain high-calorie counts, refined carbs, processed oils, and other unhealthy ingredients.
The good news is that contrary to what many of us assume, the trick to eating right is not learning to resist temptation. It’s making healthy eating the easiest possible option.
Knowing exactly how much you need to exercise to burn off a slice of cheesecake or a chocolate bar will support you in making healthier choices. This eye-opener will induce you to re-think and reconsider your love for unhealthy food.
This isn’t to say you shouldn’t ever indulge. A mouthful of joy every now and then is pretty good for the soul. Simply, this is a reminder to use moderation and a little help to live your healthiest life— a balanced diet and exercise are key when striving for it.
Make sure to share this article with anyone you think could use it!
When you find yourself in need of wine, coffee, kombucha, tea, beer, or snacks for your office or event, shoot us a message!
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With a busy schedule and a demanding work week, it can be difficult to maintain high energy levels. And when menial work tasks start to feel a little soul-sucking, we oftentimes feel the need to nurture ourselves with food for us to feel alive again.
Same goes with your employees, everyone needs to munch on a quick bite in order to perform better or do amazing things. In fact, surveying 100 employees and office managers, it has been found that 38% ranked office food as one of their top three office perks, alongside vacation time and professional development.
So if you’re not providing healthy snacks at work for your employees, you might want to consider starting after reading this article. We’ll give you 7 reasons why you should provide healthy snacks to improve your employees’ overall health, well-being, and productivity.
If you’re already on-board with healthy snacks and understand their value, check out our free guide to healthy office snacks:
First of all, what makes a healthy office snack??!
Employee healthy snacks can be anything from fresh fruits to a couple of packets of chips. The sky’s the limit when it comes to stocking up the cupboards.
Most offices tend to stick to things like peanuts, chips, fruits, veggies & dips, and maybe even some chocolates. It all depends on who is doing the buying and what the prevailing motive is. To help you further in choosing your menu, here’s our ultimate guide to Healthy Office Snacks.
Right after you discover our list of healthy office snacks, read on to learn more about their benefits and what good they can do in your workplace.
1. Healthy snacks can enhance productivity
Eating healthy is one of the best ways to ensure your energy levels are high and your productivity is at its best. Food fuels performance. The fuel that food provides is in the form of glucose, which allows brains to stay alert. However, while many of us strive to maintain a balanced diet, it’s difficult to manage our time to take a pause and grab healthy food, especially during our busy hours.
For instance, employees without access to a variety of snacks at the office leave work to go grab a snack outside. By simply offering and promoting healthy office snacks, you can change the vibe that courses through the workplace.
Employees can simply zip into the kitchen and pick their favorite treat. It is clear that this means people spend more time in the office than they otherwise would. And obviously, the more time in the office translates to greater productivity.
Lastly, eating healthy snacks improves mood. In turn, work relationships can flourish– people become problem solvers and critical thinkers. There is sudden energy within the office that becomes a positive hum instead of a drone of complaining.
2. Healthy snacks can maintain high energy
If you’ve noticed a decrease in energy and an inability to focus on your daily tasks, it might be because of the lack of nutrients in your body.
I already mentioned that food is fuel. Without it, you will quickly run out leading to decreased productivity and crabby mood. So, incorporating healthy snacks into your mid-morning and mid-afternoon can balance out your blood sugar, preventing those dreaded spikes and crashes.
You can also avoid the weekday afternoon slump that leaves your employees feeling drained of energy and sluggish. Healthy snacks can provide you and your employees with energy all day long.
Moreover, keeping healthy snacks on hand reduces decision fatigue for employees, so they can focus on making the choices their jobs require instead of agonizing over what they will eat and where they will find it. A quick bite of healthy snacks will keep them running smoothly through the rest of their day.
3. Healthy snacks can make employees happy
Healthy snacks help stave off hunger pangs, but that is only the tip of the iceberg. A fed employee is actually a happy employee!
Imagine how validating it must feel to employees of a company that shows it cares in such a visible way. Working in an office that provides this can make work just a little more enjoyable. The employees can take advantage of this perk, have more money in their pocket, be happier and healthier and brag to their friends about the awesome workplace they are in.
In fact, surveys show the benefits of providing snacks to office employees has a big impact on overall office morale. 67% of those surveyed say that they are happy with their current job because of snacks furnished on the company’s dime.
So if you’re still thinking of providing healthy snacks to your employees to really inspire happiness at work, definitely, the answer is a YES!
4. Healthy snacks can improve one’s mood
In the hustle and bustle of the office, people do not always eat when they are hungry. At times, they are simply too busy to bring their own snacks or rush to the store when they need something to eat.
This means that they will sit at their desks, hard at work, with an empty stomach. This same famished person is not very pleasant to deal with. They do not have the energy to complete their tasks accurately and efficiently. They are also quite moody which makes cooperation among colleagues very difficult.
No one wants to work with someone that is snapping at them constantly simply because their blood sugar levels have dipped. All of this can be easily solved by keeping employees fed with healthy snacks. They will no longer be distracted but will rather be energetic and focused on the task at hand.
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5. Healthy snacks at work can create a better culture
Snacks, like many perks, exist to boost employee engagement. These small perks can be highly symbolic.
To begin with, it sends the right message to your team. Since perks are part of your culture, the perks you choose send explicit and implicit signals to your employees. Healthy office snacks tell your employees that they’re cared for and appreciated and that their overall welfare is important to you.
In fact, a study found that 60% of employees agree that having free food in the office makes them feel valued and appreciated.
However, too often, workplaces are either stocked with an almost empty fridge or with vending machines full of unhealthy treats. So it’s about time for you to upgrade your snacks to something healthier! It can be an easy way to kick off a more comprehensive health and wellness program, providing the foundation for larger cultural initiatives.
6. Healthy snacks can keep health and diet in check
Part of the reason healthy snacks can boost your performance at work is that food literally fuels our brain, which needs a constant supply of energy to function optimally.
So the worst thing anyone can do for mid-day mental performance is to skip meals; and the best thing anyone can do is to eat one with a balance of carbohydrates, protein, and fat.
However, when so much of our day is spent in our place of work, it is not easy to consume the recommended 5-a-day. For some instances, someone may be rushing to meet a deadline, stuck in an important meeting, or occupied talking with a client. So, having a variety of healthy snacks available throughout the day helps you and your team to meet this nutritional requirement.
Plus, when you provide your body with proper fuel throughout the day, you don’t meet mealtime with starvation. You have more control when your dinner plate lands on the table, leading to decreased portions and less chance of over-eating.
All in all, snacking choices also reflect overall health, which is directly tied to productivity. It should come as no surprise that the healthier your employees are, the more work they’re capable of doing — and the more consistently they can perform at this higher level.
7. Healthy snacks can create social bonding
The best way to break the ice is food! Who doesn’t love food anyway? More so if it’s free and easy-to-pick-up!
Eating is a social event. Sharing food has long been a way to connect and communicate. The ritual of eating has not only been about physical survival but also about cultivating deep familial and cultural connections.
In the office, an inviting, well-stocked kitchen will organically bring people together to converse, swap ideas, and collaborate in a more relaxed environment. In this way, snacks at work not only provide a positive impact on productivity and team dynamics, but it also offers different verticals of your office a chance to interact with each other in an informal setup.
All in all, just a small activity such as providing snacks for the entire office is enough to see the change in the overall enthusiasm and energy of the office. It helps bridge social gaps and gives everyone a chance to mingle with one another. Your employees can become closer, thus strengthening your team’s connections.
Takeaway
Employees like to be appreciated. The feeling of being valued can be a bigger motivator than money.
So providing healthy snacks is an incredibly positive force in your workplace. Its powers extend beyond productivity– it brings genuine happiness to them! The presence and availability of healthy snacks in the office fosters a more collaborative atmosphere and sense of fun.
Moreover, your employees can improve their overall health as well as learn about healthy eating. Snacks at work can create stronger connections, which in turn develops stronger teams.
So get your team some healthy snacks! The expense will more than pay for itself with happier, more productive employees who are fully equipped to get the job done.
Make sure to share this article with anyone you think could use it!
When you find yourself in need of wine, coffee, kombucha, tea, beer, or snacks for your office or event, shoot us a message!
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What Makes A Healthy Office Snack?
We can claim just about anything is a healthy office snack if we try hard enough.
This is where that meme pops up that claims chocolate is the same as a salad because it comes from cocoa… which comes from a tree. 🤷
But that doesn’t necessarily make it healthy (dark chocolate, on the other hand, is a different story).
What does make food healthy is the nutrients you’ll find within, like fiber, proteins, and healthy fats.
But what do these food nutrients do, what are their functions? Read on to learn more about the most common nutrients you’ll find in your snacks.
Not sure if you’ll be able to get through all 50 of our healthy snacks in one sitting?
Download the PDF version of this guide so you can use it as a reference in the future!
Fiber
Fiber is one in a long list of good things that keep our body alive and functioning.
It can be found in a multitude of food items such as vegetables, fruits, and grains.
What you probably didn’t know is that fiber and probiotics go hand in hand. What fiber does is it feeds the good bacteria in your gut so your immune system and your digestive health are always kept in check.
Antioxidants
Here’s one word you might associate with antioxidants: free radicals.
Free radicals are the bad guys that ruin everything. Essentially they wreak havoc on our healthy cells, resulting in cardiovascular disease, aging, and autoimmune disorders.
Now here’s the bad news: free radicals are a part of our natural process. They’re a byproduct of normal metabolic processes and can be found in the environment in the form of radiation and drugs.
Here’s the good news though. Antioxidants serve as a way to cushion the damage caused by free radicals and combat their detrimental effects.
Protein
You may be wondering why proteins are important.
For one, protein allows our body to grow and repair muscle tissue. Without it, our muscles would not have the structure that they do.
Speaking of structure, proteins are also responsible for giving the rest of our body structure. Keratin and collagen, for example, are key for healthy skin, hair, and nails.
Proteins are awesome on so many levels, from regulating our body’s pH to strengthening our immune system and bone health. So next time you’re looking for a healthy snack, look for something loaded with protein.
Vitamins A-Z
OK, so there may not be such a thing as vitamin Z (yet).
BUT, you can bet your bottom dollar that you’re going to consume plenty of vitamins in a single day. It would be difficult not to come across at least one of these vitamins.
That is of course if you’re consuming a healthy diet.
You’ll find that the majority of vitamin functions include:
Most of you know by now that there are healthy fats, and there are unhealthy fats.
Unsaturated fats and omega-3’s are what we consider healthy fats while unhealthy fats consist of saturated and artificial trans fats.
Healthy fat consumption is crucial to a healthy diet because it gives us the energy to get through our day.
Not only that but healthy fats protect our heart and brain, and help us absorb those essential vitamins that we mentioned earlier.
Above all, they help to prevent unhealthy levels of toxic LDL cholesterol, they lower the risk of cardiovascular disease and they lower blood pressure.
50 Healthy Snack Ideas for Work
Now that you know some of the most common nutrients found in your food, let’s get to talking about what foods are right for you.
Maybe you’re the type of person who needs a little more energy throughout the day or perhaps you’re a little more concerned about your heart health.
Sit tight because there are 50 snack ideas that you can take with you to and from the workplace.
1. Jerky
Despite the unsaturated fats and sodium levels, jerky provides you with key nutrients and minerals.
Iron and zinc help with immune system function and the protein gives your muscles the added boost as well.
What you want to look out for is low sodium, low saturated jerky. This is an ideal snack for work as opposed to regular jerky.
Other Reasons Why We Like It
easy on-the-go healthy office snack for work
no preparation needed
low sodium and low saturated fat beef jerky options are available on the market
2. Avocados
Monounsaturated fatty acids.
You’ll also find that avocados contain a substantial amount of magnesium, phosphorous, fiber, and several vitamins.
All of which can reduce risks to the heart, maintain healthy vision, and even reduce the risk of depression.
Other Reasons Why We Like It
easy on-the-go snack for work
able to pair with other snack items
fiber reduces constipation and improves digestion
folate is healthy for maintaining a healthy pregnancy as well as preventing colon, pancreatic and cervical cancer
3. Egg Muffin with Kale, Ham, and Cauliflower Rice
Alright, if you want a healthy snack for work, this is it.
The eggs and ham serve up loads of protein while kale brings with it potassium, calcium, and vitamin K.
Fiber and antioxidants protect against diabetes while vitamin k can assist with calcium absorption.
We all know fruit is good for you. The reason why they make the perfect snack is that fruit is the one food item we know for certain will not contain any added ingredients.
Speaking of fruit, you can pair almost any fruit with your favorite yogurt and you’ve got an easy and healthy office snack.
Yogurt contains calcium for bone and teeth health as well as vitamin B which can protect against heart disease.
Pair that with the vitamins found in fruit and you’ve got a nutritious jackpot on your hands.
Other Reasons Why We Like It
easy to prepare
easy on-the-go healthy office snack for work
combined protein and calcium in yogurt can promote weight management by suppressing appetite
6. Veggies and Dip
There’s a reason why parents tell their kids to finish their vegetables before rushing from the table.
There are plenty of health benefits to vegetables. Depending on the vegetable, you’ll find plenty of fiber, folate, vitamins, and minerals among other nutrients.
All which can improve your overall health while decreasing the risk of harmful diseases.
You can get really creative with salads. It’s an easy way to eat a significant amount of fruits and vegetables in one sitting while being simple enough to take to work.
They provide you with a good source of fiber, vitamin C and E.
Depending on what you like on your salad, you can load up on additional nutrients, vitamins, and minerals.
Other Reason Why We Like It
easy to customize
gluten-free and dairy-free options
easy to make
8. Granola Bars
Granola bars are the epitome of on-the-go snacking.
Keep them at your desk, stock the office kitchen with them, or whip one out when you’re feeling hungry and you won’t have to feel bad about it.
Some will give you primarily protein while others are more full of fiber and healthy fats. Suffice to say there is a granola bar out there just about anyone.
large variety in terms of veggies, fruits, and nuts
9. Nuts
Unless you have a nut allergy, we suggest going all in and snacking on a wide variety to get all the benefits. You can consider nuts as a high quality healthy office snack and for several reasons.
They contain polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats which, as we mentioned earlier, help in regulating your cholesterol levels.
Walnuts, for example, contain omega-3 fatty acids and are pretty compacted with protein. Other nuts will tend to have a generous amount of antioxidants, fiber and vitamin E.
Other Reasons Why We Like It
one serving of nuts can give you half of the recommended percentage of selenium which can protect the thyroid against oxidative damage.
easy on-the-go healthy office snack for work
easy to pair with other snacks
healthy low-carb option for weight loss diets when consumed in moderation
10. Unflavored Popcorn
Without the usual butter and salty concoctions found in movie theatre popcorn, unflavored popcorn can actually be a pretty healthy office snack idea.
Since popcorn falls in the whole grain category, it contains a lot of fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals. All good stuff for healthy digestion, proper immune response, and vision.
Not to mention it’s low in sugar and fat.
Other Reasons Why We Like It
ideal low-carb low-sugar snack for weight loss diets and diabetics
easy on-the-go healthy office snack for work
easy to make
11. Apples and Peanut Butter
Apples and peanut butter are a snack for all ages. Might as well get your protein and carbs all in one convenient package.
Apples consist of mainly fiber and water which helps to keep you filled and prevents you from over-snacking.
They’ve been linked to lowering the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and even cell death caused by oxidation.
Add to that the protein, iron and healthy fats found in peanut butter and you’ve got a healthy combo any doctor will approve of.
Other Reasons Why We Like It
apples are rich in flavonoids and antioxidants
easy on-the-go healthy office snack for work
this combo is high in magnesium, vitamin E, and vitamin B-3
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12. Celery and Peanut Butter
We can already label peanut butter as miracle butter, but what does celery bring to the table?
Celery has many benefits thanks to its potassium, vitamin B-6, folate, fiber, and vitamin A.
Celery can prevent liver disease, decrease high blood pressure, and fight infection among other touted health benefits.
Other Reasons Why We Like It
can prevent ulcers
can cure bloating
great for weight loss
13. Hummus and Carrots
Hummus on its own is pretty good for you, and the same can be said about carrots. But together they make a pretty healthy power combo that your heart will thank you for.
Hummus, in case you didn’t know, is made with chickpeas which contain lots of healthy fats, protein, and fiber.
Carrots contain vitamin A which can help prevent vision loss as well as antioxidants.
Other Reasons Why We Like It
carrots have been linked with killing off leukemia cells and preventing their progress.
Tuna is in transportable packets for a reason. It’s a popular lunchtime snack that is packed with everything you need for a quick pick me up.
The good thing about tuna is that it’s low in fat, high in protein, and rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
And crackers are more than a food accessory. Depending on your choice of cracker, often times they will provide you a good source of energizing carbohydrates.
You’ll be keeping your brain health in check while promoting healthy muscle tissue.
Other Reasons Why We Like It
tuna has vitamin B-12 which is also good for brain health and red blood formation
niacin found in tune promotes healthy skin and nerves
easy on-the-go snack for work
15. Oatmeal
Oatmeal is a traditional snack to enjoy at work, at home, and whenever it pleases you.
For one thing, one serving of oatmeal (about a half-cup of dried oats) will get you over 70% of a day’s worth of iron, 20% vitamin A, and 35% vitamin B-6 alongside carbohydrates and fiber.
As long as you steer clear of the overly sugared and flavored packets, oatmeal is a versatile food option and definitely a healthy office snack.
Other Reasons Why We Like It
oatmeal contains a soluble type of fiber which can increase the feeling of fullness and increase digestive health
great for weight loss diets
great foundation for nutritional add-on ingredients
significant source of nutrients
16. Dried Fruit
When you find that you just need a sweet tooth fix, try eating dried fruit for a change.
Now we’re not talking about the sweetened or chili powdered dried fruits. We’re talking about the good old fashioned dried fruit that is just that: dried fruit.
In moderation, dried fruit is a great way to get your daily dose of fiber and polyphenol antioxidants. The latter can improve blood flow and digestive health.
Grapes, for example, can assist in blood sugar regulation, and lower blood pressure.
Prunes act as natural laxatives while blueberries will give you a hefty dose of antioxidants.
Other Reasons Why We Like It
you can get 3 times as many nutrients with a lesser density
easy on-the-go healthy office snack
they make a great yogurt or oatmeal topping
17. Dark Chocolate
Thank divinity that chocolate is not completely ruled out in a healthy diet.
Dark chocolate that is.
Most of you already know that dark chocolate is rich in free-radical fighting antioxidants.
But did you know that the flavanols in dark chocolate can help improve blood flow, protect skin against sun damage, and improve brain function?
Talk about a healthy office snack! Although as with all snack items, it’s best consumed in moderation.
Other Reasons Why We Like It
can pair well with other snack items
can decrease bad cholesterol and lower the risk of heart disease
easy on-the-go snack for work
dark chocolate is a good source of magnesium and iron
If you have a little spare time on your hands and feel creative enough in the kitchen, these banana bites are just the thing to try if you’re looking for a snack alternative that you can take to work.
There are four main ingredients in this recipe: sweet potatoes, bananas, nut butter, and eggs.
The sweet potatoes and bananas alone will get you a hefty dose of potassium, fiber, and vitamin A while eggs will give you a good amount of protein.
Other Reasons Why We Like It
easy to customize
gluten-free
easy to make
19. Trail Mix
Combine dried fruit and nuts and you have the best of both worlds.
The handful of nuts and seeds that you usually find in trail mix will provide with a good amount antioxidants, fiber, omega-3 fatty acids.
This is a perfect option if you need to maintain your energy for long periods.
Other Reasons Why We Like It
easy on-the-go snack for work
combined fiber from fruit and nuts will help to satisfy hunger
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20. Fruit & Veggie Chips
It’s like eating regular chips…but better.
Fruit and veggie chips make a healthy snack item for work mainly because they’re a better alternative than the typical main brand potato chips.
When fruits or veggies are crisped into chip form, it may lose a portion of its nutritional value (like vitamin C), however it will still retain some of its vitamins and minerals.
Consider this work lunch idea a triple threat. It’s filling, energizing, and all around a great alternative to the typical sandwich.
Combining avocados with eggs and tuna will get you a boatload of benefits. Mainly protein, carbohydrates, and fiber to name a few.
Other Reasons Why We Like It
easy to make
minimal ingredients required
able to prepare in advance
significant source of nutrients
22. Rice Cakes
If you’re looking for a diet neutral food, rice cakes are it.
They are low in sugar, low in carbs, and low in saturated fats. When paired with something nutrient rich like nut butter they can actually be beneficial to your diet.
Other Reasons Why We Like It
gluten-free
easy on-the-go healthy office snack
can pair well with other snack items
can fulfill the need for snack cravings without the density of unhealthy snack items
rice cakes make a great healthy snack alternative for desk snacking as opposed to other unhealthy options
23. Hard Boiled Eggs
By themselves or as an ingredient, eggs make the perfect nutrient-rich healthy snack for your diet and for the office.
You’ll find plenty of things going on in a simple egg. There’s a boatload of protein (mostly found in the egg white), iron, copper, zinc, B vitamins, and selenium.
Additionally, the egg yolk can contain vitamins A, E, K, and D.
Other Reasons Why We Like It
minimal effort required to boil an egg
eating one egg a day can improve heart health
vitamin D found in eggs can prevent osteoporosis
significant source of nutrients
24. Chocolate Covered Bananas
Our main source of nutrients here is the banana. Add a bit of dark chocolate and now you have a delicious snack idea that can be good for you also.
Bananas are rich in potassium and fiber. They’ve also been linked with decreasing the risk of asthma, blood pressure, and diabetes.
Other Reasons Why We Like It
easy to make
able to prepare in advance
potassium in bananas can help reduce kidney stones
If you’re still on the hunt for a healthy office snack alternative to what you’ve been eating then look no further.
Enjoy this gluten-free and vegan-friendly recipe for a delicious, guilt-free, and healthy snack idea that you can share with the office.
The chickpeas and peanut butter are what make this snack idea a healthy one.
Protein, magnesium, phosphorous, zinc, niacin, and vitamin B-6 can all be found in peanut butter. Furthermore, you can find a good amount of carbohydrates, protein, and fiber in chickpeas.
Other Reasons Why We Like It
gluten-free
vegan-friendly
peanut butter and chickpeas together can promote weight management and heart health
26. Toast and Cottage Cheese
Cottage cheese and toast can be a healthy snack to eat at work for several reasons.
One reason why cottage cheese on toast makes for a healthy snack is that it can satisfy your hunger, thanks to the high level of protein.
Another reason why this combo makes for a healthy office snack idea is that the calcium found in dairy products is linked with reducing insulin resistance.
Other Reasons Why We Like It
cottage cheese makes for a healthy snack to promote weight loss
easy to make
27. Pita Chips and Guacamole
Pita chips make a healthy alternative that you can enjoy at work, with guacamole adding some much-needed flavor to the mix.
Similar to rice cakes, the fact that pita chips are a healthier alternative to potato chips dubs them as a healthy snack alone.
They’re made with less saturated fats, less sodium, and even come in whole-grain options. Pair them with the nutrients found in avocados and you have a snack idea fit for the workplace.
Other Reasons Why We Like It
pita chips are versatile enough to eat with hummus or another dip of choice
Salads make a great go-to snack for work that you can prepare in advance.
Now, let’s talk about an ingredient that hasn’t had much spotlight yet: kale.
Kale is abundant in fiber, antioxidants, calcium, vitamin K, iron, and potassium.
Like with most vegetables, a significant intake on a regular basis can promote a healthy heart, prevent diabetes, and prevent the risk of bone fracture.
Other Reasons Why We Like It
nutrients found in kale can also promote healthy digestion
easy to make
able to prepare in advance
significant source of nutrients
29. Banana and Peanut Butter Sandwich
Trade in that processed jam with bananas and you can have a healthier peanut butter sandwich.
Combine the carbohydrates, protein, and fats in peanut butter with the potassium and fiber found in bananas and there you have a healthy office snack. It’s filling, nutritious, and can help maintain your weight.
Other Reasons Why We Like It
bananas contain an amino acid that helps to preserve memory and boost mood
easy to make
30. Edamame
Edamame is no longer solely for sushi restaurants. They serve as a quick, easy, and healthy snack alternative for any workplace.
One serving of edamame contains a staggering 121% of adults’ recommended amount of folate. Considering how much folate is in a single serving of edamame, it can help to reduce symptoms of depression.
It also offers a complete source of potassium, phosphorous, magnesium, calcium, and protein. All of which can help promote fertility and healthy pregnancy as well as reduce the risk of heart disease.
Other Reasons Why We Like It
iron in edamame can increase energy levels
since edamame is a soy product, it’s linked with reducing the risk of age-related brain disorders.
These cauliflower tater tots are the next best thing to actual tater tots. They put a whole new twist on ways to eat your vegetables.
One serving of these tots will get you almost equal amounts of carbohydrates and protein. Not to mention they’ll get you a sufficient amount of potassium, vitamin C, and calcium.
Other Reasons Why We Like Them
gluten-free
easy to make
able to prepare in advance
38. Dry Cereal
There are lots of cereals out there that are low in calories, minimally sweetened, and packed with whole grains, fruits, nuts, and fiber.
These cucumber tuna bites are just as refreshing as they are flavorful.
Cucumbers are packed with vitamin K which helps in bone metabolism and blood clotting. Since they’re made up of mostly water, they’re low in calories and can keep you well hydrated.
This easy recipe calls for only 3 ingredients: peanut butter, oats, and honey.
These squares make a healthy snack full of protein, fiber, and antioxidants.
Other Reasons Why We Like It
honey can help lower blood triglycerides that pose a risk for heart disease
easy to make
able to prepare in advance
50. Cucumber Sandwiches
Stay hydrated and refreshed with cucumber sandwiches.
All it has is a slice of cheese with your meat of choice between two cucumber slices.
With the protein and calcium that these little sandwiches are packing, they’ll make a healthy snack idea for work.
Other Reasons Why We Like It
easy to make
able to prepare in advance
low-calorie count makes it ideal for weight management
Last Note On Healthy Office Snacks
Eating healthy is not as difficult or dull as you may think it to be. If you still can’t manage to avoid the temptations of unhealthy snacks, here’s how to burn off those calories.
Look online and you’ll end up with hundreds of the best healthy snack ideas that are not only nutrient-rich but fun and tasty as well.
Whether you’re looking for gluten-free snack ideas or healthy snacks for work, the act of snacking is just as healthy as the ingredients that go into said snacks.
Snacks keep us fueled, they keep us energized, and they keep our bodies running. So wouldn’t it make sense to do our bodies a favor and fuel it with healthy snacks that are especially nutritious?
Ultimately, the choice is yours, so make it a wise one.
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Whether you’re planning to throw a holiday, victory, annual, or any random party in your office, it is possible to throw it with a bang that people will remember for years.
Well, put on your party-planning hat as these 8 tips will crown you the party planning wizard of the office.
Tip #1: Put Together An Office Party Committee
A great party can only be accomplished by a great planning committee. Getting a like-minded group of people together can turn that office party-talk-of-the-year into reality.
Assign your coworkers with tasks that they will not only enjoy but also do well. Get that extra-popular coworker to fill the guest list, your artsy-creative colleague to be the designer of the party, and the office foodie to choose the party’s food and beverage.
Overall, knowing that you need a team to pull off an amazing office party is the first necessary step towards greatness. You can ensure your office party is something to remember by choosing the right people to work on the planning committee.
Undoubtedly, an official Party Planning Committee T-Shirt adds excitement both to the committee members and your co-employees. This is viewed as a serious step in making sure that you’re party will be worth remembering.
Upon planning, there’s nothing wiser than asking the partygoers what they’d like in an office party. By making sure that most of them (if not everyone) are part of the planning, they’ll feel more invested, proud, and participative in the actual party.
Ask your staff for their ideas and recommendations. Ask them to help you build your ideal menu, your theme, and identify the services that will help you make the most of your festivities. As you receive a variety of suggestions, list them down and pick the best ones that suit your objectives, budget, and your workplace values and culture.
Otherwise, no matter how well-executed and gorgeous your party may be, if it’s not what the majority of people want, then it’s going to lack the oomph needed to make it a net-positive and memorable experience.
Tip #3: Choose a Fun Party Theme
One party planning ingredient that is often overlooked but shouldn’t be is the theme. Why? Because it sets the tone for the whole event, driving all of your planning decisions and helping to engage attendees. The theme you choose for your party will help determine the right atmosphere you need to create to pull it off.
How could you make your office party theme fun?
First, you need to clearly determine the type of party you’re planning. Will this be an after-hours party or an at-work celebration? Formal or casual? Activity or reception? Or, do you want to incorporate a charitable activity that will bring everyone together for a good cause?
Second, when you figure these out, brainstorm relevant experiences and activities your attendees will love. You can reflect on the personalities and preferences of your team members. Know their interests and what’s trending, and come up with a theme that the majority could truly enjoy.
You’ll obviously be limited in what you can do, but with a well-thought-out and fun theme, your guests will be excited for the party to come.
Tip: No matter what party you choose, make sure it’s inclusive to everyone and always invite plus-ones.
If you want your office party to be memorable for the right reasons, a lineup of entertainment and activities can be a great way to do that. For instance, it’s safe to say that no one wants to get stuck in a room full of people without any music or engagement at all.
Great entertainment and activities come in all shapes and sizes. Jumpstart the fun by hosting a game or a contest — a little friendly competition can liven up your holiday party in no time. Some fun ideas include a caption contest, scavenger hunt, or even a trivia game focused on questions about the business and/or the season.
Further, a great way to help people get into the party spirit is to have entertainers such as a band, acoustic singer, or a dance group. Depending on the theme, you can also consider hiring a magician or mentalist who is skilled at engaging small groups, getting them talking, laughing, and enjoying a quick, unique shared magical experience.
It’s not a party without a delicious spread of food, so don’t overlook the menu. It doesn’t matter if the party takes place during odd hours, you still have to have some sort of snacks for your guests to nibble on.
One more thing you should not skimp on is the availability of drinks. Alcohol can be a great social lubricant to help break the ice in awkward situations, making the party more memorable.
However, be sure to have a nice mix of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages so that everyone is able to enjoy themselves. If there is alcohol, you’ll want someone to play the role of bartender. This will help prevent employees from becoming too inebriated. Plan carefully– will you have an open bar or just drink tickets? Beer and wine only or holiday-themed cocktails?
Remember that bad and not enough food & drinks are two problems that can turn an otherwise great party into a bit of a disaster. We strongly suggest hiring out the food catering to a reputable caterer in your area. A skilled and experienced catering team can assist you in determining the best foods and beverages to offer at your company’s party (Check out our event drink catering services if you’re in the San Francisco Bay Area).
Tip #6: Choose A Convenient Location
The location of the venue is always important for an office party. Whether you’re planning to hold the party outside or just in your workplace, make sure it’s convenient for everyone. Most people don’t want to attend a party if it’s too far from their office or home.
If you’re planning to throw a party outside of your workplace, make sure it’s a place that can easily accommodate your group without being too large or too small. Venues that are too small can make people feel claustrophobic and want to leave the event more quickly. Venues that are too big create awkwardness and discourage interaction.
Do some research beforehand and pick the venue that’s the right combination of size and uniqueness for your company. Verify that the venue has a reputation for being a reliable place to hold fun events. Once you are certain about a venue, book your date and time right away to avoid missing out.
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Tip #7: Host Your Office Party in the Off-season
In most cases, the best time to have a party is during the last hour of the workday. This permits people to get their work done and then enjoy the event. You don’t want to host one in the middle of a workday when people should be maximizing productivity.
The day of the week is also important to consider. For example, if you hold your gathering on a Thursday night, people would most likely feel burnt out the following day.
If it’s a holiday party, the date should not coincide with the actual date of the holiday as people would most likely want to spend the day with their families or loved ones.
It would be advisable to have the party during non-work hours, but do not make the party mandatory or you might cause resentment and will have to pay the employees for their time.
Tip #8: Think About The Office Party Extras
A surprise raffle, photobooth, giveaways, souvenirs — these are just common examples of extras you can provide for your employees.
Yes, you are already giving them a party, but an extra small gift for everyone is a great gesture and spreads cheer. Have something nice, but not budget-breaking.
Other than material gifts, you can provide surprising extras for your employees by integrating recognition for their effort. An appreciation plaque, a special award, or a token of gratitude would give them a truly memorable day.
After all, your employees deserve to be recognized for their contributions to the success of your company. Make these recognitions a big highlight of the party to boost loyalty and morale.
The key to a successful office party isn’t a big budget or lots of flashy decorations. Instead, it’s thoughtfulness and careful planning. By accounting for elements like theme, food and drink, timing, and activities, you can ensure people have a good time and remember the event for years to come.
As you move forward with your party planning activities, remember to utilize the tips above to streamline the process from beginning to end. Your efforts will help ensure that your employees have an incredible time at your office party. When your employees have a great time, you can rest assured that loyalty and morale also increase across the board.
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https://www.officelibations.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Image-from-iOS-32-1.jpg13741832Office Libationshttps://www.officelibations.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo.pngOffice Libations2019-06-25 02:57:182022-07-21 17:14:41How To Throw An Office Party Your Employees Will Love
Employee well-being is an increasingly relevant and necessary consideration in the modern workplace. Pressures involving deadlines, responsibilities, task complexity, and other challenges can all seriously reduce office well-being and affect our overall health.
So with employers facing increasing pressure to alleviate these stresses and issues that a fast-paced workplace can create, promotion of well-being can become an easy way to avoid staff dissatisfaction and health issues.
On that note, if your workforce is tired, stressed, and generally unmotivated, it is probably time to make some changes. Here are 9 cost-effective ideas to help you create a sense of well-being at work without breaking the bank.
1. Discourage ‘Constant Work’ Culture
Don’t confuse commitment, engagement, and dedication with 60-70 hour weeks. Employees can’t sustain an extraordinary level of energy and long overtime hours as a constant work expectation.
The human body was not designed to stare at a bright screen for hours on end without any downtime. Staff will more likely check out, burn out, and even leave if they consider long hours and extraordinary effort as the norm.
So what can you do to combat that?
Consider introducing break-out or relaxation areas where people can go to get away from their desks, get a change of scene, unwind, or think creatively. Also, determine if you can make it easier for employees to access fresh air during their breaks.
It’s essential to encourage employees to take a proper lunch break, away from their spaces, as this can improve concentration as well as provide a much-needed rest.
2. Provide healthy snacks
This doesn’t have to mean a free lunch for everyone. Something as simple as ensuring there are enough healthy snacks and drinks for everyone can contribute positively.
Remember that the greatest companion, while you work, is a great snack. However, when so much of our day is spent in our place of work, it is not easy to consume the recommended 5-a-day. So, having a variety of healthy snacks available throughout the day helps you and your team meet this requirement.
If you do have the means to take it further, provide a café with healthy meal options, a juice bar, free fruit or even just somewhere for people to prepare good food. By doing this, you’ll be helping them to eat well and keep their brains and bodies awake and alert.
At the end of the day, it is not only our physical and emotional well-being that needs to be looked after but our intake of healthy snacks is essential for our health and well-being too!
3. Prevent sedentary office lifestyle
Studies have shown that sitting for long periods is bad for our overall health. That is why it is essential for office well-being that you encourage your co-workers to occasionally move around while at work.
How can you help encourage everyone to get moving?
One way is to implement a Get Moving policy. Educate your team on problems associated with sitting for extended periods of time and encourage them to stand up and move around for a few minutes throughout the day.
Activities could include taking a short walk around the building, doing some simple stretches, walking a few flights of stairs, or anything that gets employees active for a few minutes throughout their workday.
4. Throw a happy hour
Happy hour is an easy and effective way of promoting positivity in the workplace and it doesn’t need to be always after work. It could be just about randomly breaking up the standard working day or week with free office libations.
We get it—work is work. However, having a happy hour in any workplace can make a significant impact on employees’ moods, attitudes, and work. In fact, 89% of employees cite workplace happiness as a reason they stay with a job, with 66% saying that unique perks like food and beer are what keeps them interested.
While it may be tempting to discuss the overdue report, or the deadline coming up, a happy hour is a time for relaxing and socializing.
With this in mind, find a way to engage your employees in things that don’t always feel like work. VR games, wine tastings, fitness challenges—these examples of activities can help bolster morale while also giving employees a chance to get to know the people they’re working with.
Anything that can increase positive conversation in the workplace can go a long way to promoting office well-being.
5. Optimize the office environment
A quality workspace design leads to a less stressful and more productive atmosphere. Therefore, it’s essential that you take the physical work environment of your employees into consideration.
Employees need to feel comfortable and calm in their physical work settings to produce their best work. Factors such asspace managementcan considerably improve individuals’ wellness.
For optimum office well-being, create designated quiet zones that your employees can retreat to; whether it’s for calls, meetings, or just a place to relax for some peace and quiet.
Moreover, the lighting, color displays, and overall design can affect employees’ productivity and mood levels too. Consider bringing nature inside the office. Plants better the quality of air that you breathe, and good air quality is an essential part of a healthy life.
Lastly, encourage your employees to commit to a clear desk policy. Not only will it bolster a happier outlook in the office, but it will also stimulate a positive effect on everyone’s mood throughout the day.
A flexible schedule does not mean employees can come and go at will. In fact, it can mean something as simple as introducing employee choice when it comes to the start and end times of their working day.
More sophisticated flexible schedules such as a four-day work week or telecommuting require more planning, but flexible work schedules are a cornerstone of work balance and go a long way towards office well-being.
This approach has proven effective in a number of ways. Your staff is happy to be free from the stress of commuting and to have an opportunity to accomplish non-work duties. In fact, remote workers enjoy increased productivity levels of 16% with office distractions removed.
For instance, when someone is in need of childcare or encounters a transportation problem, allowing the freedom to work from home can help to reduce the loss of productivity, since the employee likely has no choice but to stay at home.
7. Get Involved in Community Outreach
An excellent way to boost a positive atmosphere is to get involved in the local community and look for charitable opportunities. Giving employees something to focus on beyond their day-to-work, as well as something that is inherently positive, like charity work, is a win-win situation.
Organizing charity events at work generates a feeling of belonging within your team. The act of generosity enhances community identity and promotes office well-being.
Volunteering provides a way for individuals to express their values– strengthening social relationships within the office. This positively impacts mental well-being in the workplace by decreasing isolation and loneliness.
8. Offer Mental Health Counseling
The American Institute of Stress reports that stress is the nation’s top health problem. So, you should value the mental health of your employees as a top asset and fiercely protect it.
Mental well-being impacts engagement, absenteeism, and productivity — all of which impact business’s bottom lines. Taking action and bringing mental health discussions to the forefront of your business shows employees you are genuinely invested in supporting office well-being.
An environment which supports a healthy mental state can significantly improve your team’s work ethic. It is not surprising that 60% of employees say they’d feel more motivated and more likely to recommend their organization as a good place to work if their employer took action to support mental well-being.
How can you do it?
Raise awareness by giving employees the chance to talk about well-being and stress both confidentially and as a team. It further promotes open dialogue and embodies positive attitudes within the work environment, resulting in improved internal relationships.
9. Foster Altruistic Behavior
Altruism can contribute to everyone’s well-being at work. Giving and engaging in acts of kindness activates the pleasure and social attachment centers of the brain. In fact, studies show that the “helper’s high” appears to act as an antidote to the stress response in the giver.
In view of this, there’s nothing more powerful in promoting employee well-being than fostering goodwill in your workplace. When teams feel valued and supported in the workplace they are more likely to perform to the best of their abilities.
There are several ways that altruism can permeate the workplace. One method will be a formal discussion session of altruistic practices with your team, or via email lists circulated internally.
You can also influence others by being a good example. The extra ten minutes you spend in a day going the extra mile or helping selflessly, can actually serve as inspiration for others to do the same. Your mindset and action can create a chain of altruistic actions.
An increased level of altruism in the workplace will reduce tension and increase happiness.
Final Words
Well-being is a hugely significant aspect of our work and careers. Therefore, it should be treated as highly important in all workplaces.
Remember that it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Ensuring your team is working in a space that promotes productivity, satisfaction, and happiness can be a great kick-starter.
However, if you are struggling to come up with innovative ways to promote health and well-being in your workplace, why not ask for input? Every organization is unique. Reaching out to your team will provide you more insights into the way they think and feel.
Make sure to share this article with anyone you think could use it!
When you find yourself in need of wine, coffee, kombucha, tea, beer, or snacks for your office or event, shoot us a message!
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Regardless of your job, there are always going to be difficult days. It’s on these tough days that you need to be able to lean on your coworkers, preferably those who are friends. Sometimes that’s the only way to stay sane. But that requires you to make friends with your coworkers.
What if that’s not easy for you? What if you’re an introvert?
Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’re going to give you the 10 principles of building strong, lasting relationships with your coworkers.
How to win friends
While making friends at the office comes easily to some people, others struggle. So, how can you develop positive relationships with your co-workers?
In 1936, Dale Carnegie published what has become one of the most influential self-help books of all time, “How to Win Friends and Influence People”. Since then, the book has become required reading for anyone looking to make it in the world of business.
There are 27 other principles in Carnegie’s book. One thing we learn from it is “When dealing with people, let us remember we are not dealing with creatures of logic. We are dealing with creatures of emotion, creatures bristling with prejudices and motivated by pride and vanity.”
But what does this mean in the office environment, which has its own set of rules, not to mention politics?
In this article we’ll discuss some of the best principles you can apply to win friends in your workplace. Hopefully, these will give you the kickstart you need to make your life at work better.
1. Pay Attention To Your Coworkers
Sharing personal stories about yourself can be a good way to start up a conversation and connect with your coworkers. However, you also have to be genuinely interested in them as well.
In Dale Carnegie’s timeless book, he wrote, “You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.”
By remembering a person’s name and expressing genuine interest in someone’s qualities, background, stories, hobbies, career, family, or anything else closely connected to that person, you will give them a gift— a sense of importance, well being, and value. It will make people believe you like them, so they in turn like you.
When you’re in conversations with people in your office, give the other person the spotlight. Avoid getting into social situations just to talk about yourself. To influence people, give others the moment to shine and allow them to talk about themselves.
When we give the other person the attention they deserve, it allows us to become more interested in them. Give them consistent eye contact, and maintain open body language. Listen closely to what they are saying and ask relevant questions based on what they said.
The more interest and attention you give to someone else, the more willing they are to listen to you talk about yourself. Oftentimes, when you give someone your full attention, they stop talking about themselves and ask, “What about you? What’s your story?”
2. Use Team Language
Language has a lot of subtlety that can help us consciously create very different results, especially when influencing people. The words we use can help us win or lose friends. So how can you use language to engage with your coworkers and create new possibilities?
You can start by letting another person think that your idea is his or her’s as well. This may seem antithetical to getting ahead in the workplace, but it’s actually a key to success. If you want your ideas implemented, the best way to do it is to have people think that they thought it up as well.
When you use “we” and “us” in discussions about everything from projects to get-togethers after work, you’ll make everyone feel included and you’ll build a sense of loyalty.
When you set everyone on the same level through inclusive language, you give them a small measure of power. And when people feel they have power, they’re more likely to help when you need a favor in return.
Is there really an advantage to letting your peers think they thought up your fabulous ideas as well? Yes! At the end of the day, remember that this is about making friends and influencing people at work.
It’s winning all around—you get everything accomplished that you wanted to (influence people) while having everyone else love you (winning friends).
3. Practice Good Office Etiquette
There are certain expectations of how an employee, a manager or a businessperson is supposed to act in a professional environment.
If you practice good office etiquette, you’re perceived as someone who knows what you’re talking about. However, if you don’t, you may be repelled by people in your workplace. In turn, you’re losing your chance to make friends.
One of the aspects of good office etiquette is treating everyone in an office with respect, regardless of their position; and knowing when to say something and when to keep the information you have to yourself (religion, politics, personal relationships). It all comes down to respect, kindness, and good manners after all.
Furthermore, little things like always showing up to meetings prepared and on time can create a great impact. Always be considerate of those in the office if you sometimes work from home. Make sure that your absence doesn’t mean your co-workers end up fielding your phone calls and doing the work you should have done in the office.
All in all, when you practice good office etiquette, you influence people and your coworkers will feel comfortable around you. It also reflects well on you as a professional and can help propel you to success in your career.
When you consistently get positive reactions from your coworkers when you practice good office etiquette, it starts to influence them and you are more likely to attract people to be your friends.
4. Be Someone You’d Want To Be Friends With
One of the keys, if not the most important one, to building successful relationships in your workplace is to be a good workmate.
Ask yourself now: “Would I want to hang out with me right now?” If the answer is no, chances are that your co-workers are feeling the same way. And it’s time for you to improve what has to improve.
Remember that you don’t have to be perfectly charming and gorgeous to win friends or influence people, you just have to become someone people want to talk to. Let’s go back to no. 1– be genuinely interested in other people. It will enrich your life and open so many doors than you never thought possible.
At the end of the day, people remember kindness. People do not discuss much about your talent, where you went to college, or your past achievements but people will more likely judge you based on your attitude towards them.
A good resume may get you in the door, but charm, personality, and social skills will make you win their friendship and influence them. People will normally pick someone they enjoy being around over someone who has an awful attitude and a toxic personality.
5. Take Initiative
Once your co-workers have gotten to know you in the office, even if only for a few seconds, don’t be afraid to kick your relationships up a notch.
You need to take the initiative to connect more. Call them, add them on Facebook, or invite them to grab a drink or coffee with you. It’s just like dating. If you don’t take the initiative, nothing will ever happen.
Start on your common ground– talk about some topics that are interesting to you and to them. Think about things that will catch their full attention. Whether it’s something about a TV series, a song, or a trend.
Think about some fun things you could do to cultivate the friendship. You need to take another step in order to move the friendship forward and influence people.
But, how would you really know that? The key to striking up a conversation with anyone is to ask them open-ended questions about themselves. Ask your officemate where she got her fabulous skirt, how she spent her weekend, or where the photo on her desk was taken.
Be sincerely interested in her hobbies and family life, and try to remember a few details for future conversations. By taking initiative on asking these questions, it will pave a way for you to know them even better and create a more meaningful relationship.
6. Stay Authentic
Creating a facade of who you want to be instead of who you actually are will likely push people away. Staying true to yourself is an admirable quality adored by many.
You might find it uncomfortable at first to show your authentic self. But in the long run, it will create a more meaningful connection with people that can turn to friendship.
Being yourself is always worth it as long as you are not hurting anyone with your character. It’s true that appearances have an effect on first impressions. But when it comes to making new friends, your behavior will help you keep them.
Being yourself means to simply open-up more. Start telling people what you think about a certain topic, tell a funny experience, or share something more personal. In this way, people will start to get more interested!
However, never tell stories that are far from the truth only for the sake of impressing them, because sooner or later, the truth will reveal itself.
You will always find colleagues that will not like you no matter how hard you try. Being authentic does not mean making enemies in the office, rather, it’s about focusing on people that you share a common denominator with.
7. Be Generous With Praise
When people take the time to offer you a sincere compliment, how does that make you feel about them? Are you naturally drawn to people who speak positively of you? When you offer people a genuine compliment, your interest in them can have an impact far bigger than you know.
One of the strongest needs we as humans have is the need to feel appreciated. It could be said that the greatest achievements mankind has ever made were all in an effort to seek praise and approval; in other words, to be appreciated.
When you genuinely praise others, you lift their spirits, enhance their self-confidence and add fuel to their motivational fire. Perhaps more than anything, you give them something good to think about themselves.
But why do we do this? This makes us practice our empathic skills and create a deeper connection. If simple words of praise can do so much to enhance someone’s life, why don’t we give more of it?
This will be a hard practice in the first couple of days, genuine compliments don’t come easily if we don’t put practice towards it. Get gradually better every day. And eventually, you will influence people and get the results you want.
8. Be A Good Listener
One of the biggest ways we can show interest in someone is by attentively listening to them speak. People love to talk, and they love to talk about themselves. So if you are a person who they know takes interest and likes to hear about their favorite topic they will like you in return.
However, there is a difference between simply listening to people and listening with deep interest. Listening with interest signifies that you really care about what they are saying, in contrast to simply listening because it is the polite thing to do.
You can start by asking real-life questions and letting them vent their important feelings. While they talk, maintain eye contact and show that you’re interested in what they have to say. Resist the urge to give unsolicited advice, and just let them get it out.
Acknowledge their successes, listen to their stories, and show compassion when things go bad. If you actively listen, you’ll find out what makes your coworkers happy and what keeps them awake at night.
9. Admit When You Are Wrong
Carnegie says in his book “The successful man will profit from his mistakes and try again in a different way.” This is true especially in the office environment where every set of eyes are on you.
Admission of error in the work is oftentimes perceived as a sign of weakness. But what happens when you look at it the other way around?
Once you stand up and admit fault, you might find your team backing you up and perceiving you as someone who takes responsibility for their actions, especially mistakes. We all make mistakes, and the key to influence people is to fess up, apologize sincerely, and figure out what you’ve learned from it.
On the other side, denying even one mistake, regardless of how detectable it may be to others, is the first step down a slippery slope that will irreparably damage your reputation and any chance you have of being that person worth following.
Nothing will make people less defensive and more agreeable than you being humble and reasonable enough to admit your own mistakes. It’s imperative in the office to take responsibility for your mistakes, especially if your entire team is taking heat. Nothing will help end tension or a disagreement more than a swift acknowledgment and apology on your part.
10. Always Have A Smile
Whether you woke up on the wrong side of the bed, picked a fight with a loved one, or struggled through that morning commute to your workplace, it can be a tough task to plaster a smile across your face when you’re feeling less than spritely.
However, when you learn the act of smiling more often, you’ll realize that you are attracting more people to talk to you, approach you, or be friends with you. This is because of emotional contagion– people often mimic the faces of people they see.
The act of smiling can elevate your mood and the mood of those around you. It’s also one reason that people are attracted to happy people — they catch that happiness themselves.
Studies show that a single glance of a person’s face for just 33 to 100 ms was sufficient to form a first impression. Thus, before a person ever meets you, they already have judged you.
When you smile at someone, you are communicating to them that you like them, and you are happy to see them. This, in turn, makes the other person instantly like you as well.
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Conclusion
Getting people to like you seems like a subjective process, but there are universal techniques you can use to help you make friends more easily.
Praising people, smiling, knowing people’s names, making an effort to know their interests and chat about them make people feel important. That is the underlying point of the above principles. If you make people feel important, how you walk through the world will be a more pleasant and incredible experience.
However, every working environment is unique. If things aren’t working out, and you’re really struggling to make a friend, take a step back. There are plenty of valid reasons you haven’t developed those strong relationships yet. You’ll figure everything out one way or the other.
At the end of the day, winning people over is sometimes done through time, not effort.
Follow these 10 principles and you will be well on your way to being much more likable and in no time you’ll win friends and influence people!
Make sure to share this article with anyone you think could use it!
When you find yourself in need of wine, coffee, kombucha, tea, beer, or snacks for your office or event, shoot us a message!
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Not so long ago, I asked a former co-worker what makes him so calm during our extremely busy hours at work. He replied “a daily sip of wine”. It took me a second to process the potential benefits of alcoholic drinks in the office.
Alcohol can play a large role in the culture of many workplaces. From social functions and events to regular lunches and celebrations, office drinking serves as a means of managing work-related issues including employee stress and tension.
As we know, alcohol is one of the most ubiquitous and unifying products in the world. It is, in one form or another, consumed in great volume in every corner of the Earth.
And in this modern era, there’s good news for all you lovers of office libation – boozing in the office is definitely in fashion! A long-since-exiled workplace habit is now making a big comeback.
A Brief History of Office Drinking Culture
The presence of alcohol in offices has ebbed and flowed over time and largely depended on the type of business.
The big changes to US work culture haven’t just been all about modern appearances and policies. Office culture also has undergone a number of major changes since the 1950s.
Office drinking had its culmination in the work cultures of the ’50s and ’60s. But attitudes began to change starting in the 80s and 90s. Drinking at work mysteriously became forbidden.
But in the last decade or so, there’s been a resurgence of drinks in the office. For many companies—often startups and agency-like firms—drinking on the job is now considered a perk.
Bloomberg’s Businessweek reports that Yelp’s headquarters in San Francisco is equipped with “a keg refrigerator” that “supplies its employees with an endless supply of beer.”
It’s a great time to live in— where our perceptions of office drinking culture have already shifted and we’re gearing towards more innovations.
Benefits Of Drinks at Work
Alcoholic drinks hold great power over modern society and, especially, over modern workers.
Whether workplace enjoyment, productivity, or employee health and well-being form part of your workplace’s rationale, an office culture around alcohol provides a number of benefits for workplaces. Here are 7 compelling reasons to embrace drinks in the office.
1. Incentivizes employee performance
Holding a happy hour in the office brings after-hours activity into the professional space. It’s both a way to keep employees around longer while fostering internal connections.
Light drinking in the workplace may help some employees to feel appreciated and keep them committed to the company. Furthermore, modern workers especially expect an office culture that allows them to be their true selves at work. They see alcoholic beverage in the office as a major perk to their job.
Many managers now are providing fridges full of drinks because they understand workplace stress – they want employees to feel free to forget the stress, alleviate the pressures, and forgo the office politics for the time being. Remember to do this enthusiastically but with restraint.
2. Helps employees bond and connect
For most of us, courage from an alcoholic beverage can be the reason we have the gall to approach that group across the room or start a conversation with people we don’t really know.
Business deals, new friendship, and strong bonds are often formulated over drinks, and networking events tend to occur after hours.
Grabbing a beer or a glass of wine with a couple of coworkers (even from other departments) is definitely a form of networking. When enjoyed in moderation, it has a tendency to lower our inhibitions, which can lead your team to form new relationships and forge new bonds. These bonds, in turn, result in a more engaged team.
In Japan, drinks in the office are also very common. In fact, it can be an unspoken requirement in many companies. They feel that it is an important way to enhance relationships. Like them, it can be useful for you to understand who your coworkers are and their typical mindset when they are relaxed and outside of the office.
3. Improves recruitment and retention
Office drinking culture can have a number of positive impacts on workplaces. One of them is that it may help attract new talent. In fact, some businesses highlight their free alcohol policies as a way of getting new hiring prospects.
Not only is it something employees want (no surprise there), it’s also something employers feel can attract and retain today’s more progressive-minded modern workers.
Companies, including Yelp, Google, and almost every Ad agency in New York, offer alcoholic perks to their employees — and for good reason.
Research shows employees with alcohol in their systems work faster and are better problem solvers than their sober counterparts. But before you make a case about working drunk, know these benefits don’t apply to the flat-out intoxicated. The key is to meet somewhere in the middle.
As a result of this research, more companies are attempting to attract modern employees with office bars and casual environments.
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4. Saves employees from tension meltdown
Drinking can reduce fears and take your mind off of your troubles. It can help you feel less shy, give you a boost in mood, and make you feel generally relaxed. In fact, alcohol’s effects can be similar to those of anti-anxiety medications.
With that said, a glass of wine or a beer can be a helpful option to calm employees’ nerves when dealing with stressful work days or nervous situations.
A study, which analyzed more than 2,600 men and 2,800 women over a seven-year period, found that people who drank two to seven glasses of wine a week were less likely to suffer from depression. Also, it can be helpful in reducing stress.
With that said, the availability of alcohol in the workplace can create a positive impact on employees’ well-being. There is a certain lucidity that alcohol can offer, putting us in a state to work fast and have fun.
Not only does office drinking culture make your working environment enjoyable, but it also helps employees decompress during stressful hours and serves as a coping mechanism after a particularly bad day.
5. Improves employees’ creative problem-solving
Nowadays, many modern corporate offices already condone drinking on the job. As it turns out, a little bit of alcohol really can support creative thinking.
Research has even shown that workers who drink are more productive and can better explore unorthodox solutions. A certain level of inebriation can help get the creative juices flowing.
In fact, a US experiment reported in Harvard Business Review showed that when 20 young men drank enough vodka cranberry cocktails to push their blood alcohol levels close to the legal limit of 0.08, they solved a bunch of word puzzles better and faster than 20 other blokes who stayed sober.
Apart from that, an earlier study also found that light to moderate drinking can actually help relax your brain and get you thinking more clearly. It was even found to help people not overthink and come to better, more thought-out solutions.
So if you need to get your creative juices flowing, one to two glasses of alcohol can actually help you and your team become creative problem-solvers.
6. Promotes trust and respect
Since the corporate life has changed a lot in the last decade or so, work has become more flexible. It accommodates the needs of individuals according to their lifestyle and stage of life.
The majority of the younger generation or modern workers prefer an environment with more freedom and a more relaxed work atmosphere. Bringing adult beverages into your office will send your workers a message that you trust your employees to act like responsible adults.
No one wants to feel trapped in a strict and toxic working environment. Trusting them to know their own limits and partake in the occasional in-office drink helps do just that. They will feel more respected and trusted.
Moreover, they will also find it easier to talk to their colleagues in a relaxed atmosphere inside work. Relationships with coworkers may develop closer casual talks and employees may be more open to sharing concerns about their work or about other coworkers.
7. Improves employees’ health and well-being
We probably all know that getting wasted every day might not be the best thing for your physical or mental well-being, but moderate alcohol consumption may have somesubstantial health benefits.
From reducing your stress to lengthening your life, there are a number of health benefits from moderate drinking.
Research even suggests that one drink a day helps reduce a person’s risk of heart disease by up to 40%. Moderate drinking has also been found to reduce a person’s risk for diabetes and decrease their chances of developing dementia.
In view of this, a responsible office drinking culture can improve the health and well-being of employees. It is also as clear as day that drinks in the office unlock so many other productivity benefits from more motivation to extra energy.
Conclusion
For decades we’ve been hearing about the health benefits of moderate alcohol consumption.
Getting intoxicated every day is obviously not good for you. But as a society, we already seem to have latched onto this idea that small amounts of alcohol are actually beneficial for your health and well-being.
Some research shows that the actual act of socializing in a drinking setting makes people feel more engaged and trusting of their friends and community.
The upshot is that, for people working on something creative or problem-solving, drinks in the office could actually help job performance. Check out this list of drink ideas if you’re struggling to come up with something beyond a chardonnay and an IPA.
Whatever it is, we can agree that as long as you keep your imbibing under control and your sipping in moderation, office drinking culture has a number of benefits for the employees and for the organization as a whole.
Make sure to share this article with anyone you think could use it!
When you find yourself in need of wine, coffee, kombucha, tea, beer, or snacks for your office or event, shoot us a message!
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Hey coffee lovers! We know that there is a lot that goes into the perfect cup of coffee, but in the end, it all comes down to personal preference. What are your favorite coffee characteristics?
What constitutes great for one person might be decidedly repulsive for another. Some may prefer a bitter coffee with fat body and resounding aftertaste, while others like it creamy with overloaded sweetness.
Whatever you prefer, most of us are bound to agree that coffee shouldn’t taste burnt, charred, or raw. Also, it should balance acidity, sweetness, and bitterness in one sip, with a smooth flavor and no off-notes.
But before any of that, what comes before the pour makes a world of difference in your cup. Great tasting coffee starts with a high-quality bean. Let’s take a look at a few factors that need to come together for the perfect production.
Coffee Bean Production Factors
Plantation
Plantation is the cultivation of the coffee plant, usually done in large commercial operations. Everything from the climate to the altitude of the beans’ place of origin factors into your coffee’s taste.
Coffee beans are best grown at high altitudes so they don’t overheat or grow too quickly. When they grow slowly and at the proper temperature, they’re more likely to withstand the hot temperatures they’ll experience throughout the rest of the cultivating process.
Correct land elevation, proper temperature, good soil, and access to a good watering system are also factors that crucially determine the quality of the coffee bean.
Harvesting
We all know that coffee beans grow inside coffee “cherries”. It’s important for farmers to pick the cherries at just the right time when they’re full and meaty.
From there, they must be transported and milled in a timely fashion so their flavor and quality is preserved.
Furthermore, there are a lot of methods of processing coffee cherries: hulled, dry-hulled, wet-hulled, natural, wet/dry processed, or honey processed.
But generally, the natural process makes the freshest beans. Without fresh coffee, there’s no denying that you will end up with one disappointing cup of joe.
Roasting
Roasting the beans is where the coffee characteristics we’re all familiar with will start to come through.
The coffee roasting process transforms the raw coffee beans into the distinctively aromatic, crunchy beans we recognize as coffee. It is usually done by setting the coffee through fire.
The degree to which coffee beans are roasted is one of the most important factors that determine the taste of the coffee in the cup. It could arguably make or break your blend. It is a finicky process that requires consistent heat applied throughout the roast time.
The most common way to describe coffee roast levels is by the color of the roasted beans, ranging from light to dark (or extra dark). As coffee beans absorb heat in the roasting process, their color becomes darker. Oils appear on the surface of the beans at higher temperatures.
A good roaster knows the characteristics of the beans and can match the roasting level with the beans.
Brewing Styles
All the variables in brewing matter a lot too! From water temp to grind size to filter and beyond, they all play a part in how well the delicious coffee from the farm makes its way to your mouth.
Brewing coffee is the process of extracting the soluble material in roasted ground coffee. As this coffee is brewed in hot water, hundreds of unique compounds (caffeine, acids, lipids, and sugar) are extracted from the ground beans — creating brewed coffee.
Pour Over– pouring water over and through the grounds to extract the coffee flavors into your cup or serving vessel.
French Press– a manual brewing method, which means you’re not letting an electronic device do everything for you. You get to measure your ingredients, grind the coffee, pour in the water, time the brew yourself, and press the plunger.
Aeropress- a go-to brew method for those who love delicious coffee on the go. Coffee is steeped for 10–50 seconds and then forced through a filter by pressing the plunger through the tube.
Espresso- also done by using pressure to force hot water through finely ground, compacted coffee. It is more concentrated than coffee brewed using other methods.
Auto-drip Brewer- The auto-drip is probably the most well-known and most popular way to make coffee. It is used to grind coffee to medium-fine particle size.
Regardless of the brew method you choose, make sure you’re using the appropriate grind size for your brew method of choice. Be sure also that your water is clean, and that you’re using water that is at an appropriate temperature.
Coffee Taste Characteristics
All the technical factors above will determine how your coffee will taste after its production. Although taste is subjective to one palate, here’s how professional coffee tasters (or cuppers) grade the coffees on five basic taste characteristics:
1. Flavor
A coffee’s flavor describes the overall and combined sensations of the coffee’s distinctive aromatic and taste characteristics–bitterness, sweetness, and aftertaste.
It’s about defining specific attributes of a coffee according to standardized terms. Some “winey” coffees have a flavor reminiscent of red wine. Other coffees have a fruity essence that suggests berries or citrus.
Whatever it is, the right amount of flavor extraction is obviously an important factor. Inconsistently ground beans result in weirdly extracted coffee; the same goes for inconsistent temperature and timing.
All-in-all, a great coffee has balance, and no single flavor characteristic dominates or overpowers the others.
2. Acidity
As a taste characteristic, acidity refers to the sharp and pleasing aftertaste, often referred to as the liveliness of the coffee (bright and dry taste that adds life to a coffee).
In coffee, acidity is a highly desirable quality that describes the brightness of flavor. Acidity ranges from low to high OR smooth to lively. A coffee without any acidity is generally undesirable and is referred to as flat, dull, boring, and mellow.
Acidity in great coffee is balanced, crisp, and creates a zingy feeling across the front half of your tongue. This combination of characteristics highlights the naturally occurring flavors in the coffee, pushing the entire sensory experience a step forward.
3. Body
Body is the texture or mouthfeel of a coffee such as oiliness, thickness, and heaviness. It is a desirable quality that describes the feel of the coffee in your mouth rather than the actual flavor.
To shed some light, here are some characteristic coffee body descriptions from Espresso & Coffee Guide:
Light Body
A light body (or “thin body”) is water-like, with very little residue or texture on the tongue. Coffees grown at low altitudes and in soils lacking nutrients commonly exhibit a light body. Brewing methods that use a paper filter to remove oils and other solids can make a lighter-bodied coffee, as well as brewing quickly (eg. a k-cup).
A light body isn’t necessarily a bad thing however. Some people (eg. super-tasters) are simply more sensitive to the tastes and lingering effects of a heavier bodied coffee and prefer a light body as a matter of preference. Don’t let anyone tell you that drinking a certain coffee you enjoy is wrong.
Because “body” is a measure of the concentration of dissolved solids, simply diluting a coffee with more water is a way to make a coffee’s body lighter. This should be done after the coffee has been brewed, using same-temperature water, to avoid over-extraction of bitter compounds.
Medium Body
A medium body lies somewhere between a light (or mild) coffee and a heavy (or syrupy) coffee. Since light and heavy bodied coffees have attributes that might be too extreme in one direction or another, a medium bodied coffee will be a good, easy-going daily drinker.
Most coffees that are too light or heavy can be brewed with a medium body by altering the brewing method. If a coffee is naturally light bodied (Mexican, Brazilian, Jamaican), then brewing slowly and without a paper filter (espresso especially) is a good way to bring out more of the solids and mouth-feel. If a coffee is naturally heavy-bodied, then decreasing brew time and using a paper coffee filter while brewing will tone it down.
Heavy Body
A heavy body (or “Full Body”) is one that can be felt on the tongue, almost textured, due to a combination of the fat, protein and fiber content. Heavy bodies are typically attributed to high grown and shade grown coffees, especially in rich volcanic soils, and is seen as a positive attribute. It can also be the result of brewing method, mostly in an espresso, moka pot (stove top) or steel-filter pour over drip coffee (not paper filter).
4. Aroma
Coffee aroma is the fragrance of brewed coffee and is closely related to coffee flavor. As our sense of smell affects our taste, some of the subtle taste characteristics of coffee actually come from the coffee aroma.
In fact, according to a research in coffee chemistry, coffee aroma is responsible for all coffee flavor attributes other than the mouthfeel and sweet, salt, bitter, and sour taste attributes that are perceived by the tongue.
The more subtle nuances of coffee flavor such as “floral” or “winey “ come more from the aroma or smell of the coffee than from the taste. Coffee cuppers smell the coffee grounds to judge or classify the flavor characteristics of the coffee.
Moreover, a coffee’s aroma is also related to the coffee’s flavor and acidity. For example, if a coffee has very rich flavors, then the aroma will also reflect that richness, and if a coffee has acidic flavors it will also smell acidic.
5. Finish
If aroma is the overture of the coffee, then finish is the resonant silence at the end of the piece. Finish describes the immediate sensation after the coffee is swallowed (or spit out).
Some coffees develop in the finish — they change in pleasurable ways and will leave a pleasurable taste or feel in your palette that lingers. Sometimes called the “aftertaste”, this can be chocolate, burnt, mint, tobacco, tang, etc.
Lastly, finish is also a reflection of the “body”, and therefore, heavier bodied coffees will have a longer finish than lighter bodied coffees.
Parting Time
As you probably are already aware, coffee is extremely complex and also very delicate. If something goes wrong in any part of the process of getting the coffee from the farm to your cup, it can have devastating results in how it tastes.
At the end of the day, despite all of the factors that go into what constitutes a great cup of coffee based on specific processes and ratings, what really matters when judging coffee is ultimately how it tastes to you and whether or not you consider it good.
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https://www.officelibations.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Image-from-iOS-24.jpg13741832Office Libationshttps://www.officelibations.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo.pngOffice Libations2019-05-28 03:33:462022-07-21 18:36:38Factors That Characterize Great Coffee
The business world is moving at a dizzying pace. In order to keep up with its many demands, it is absolutely vital to aim for productivity and efficiency.
Whether you manage a business, work for a corporation, or a self-employed freelancer, you’re always on the quest for ways to increase productivity.
However, you also know well that office productivity is a fragile thing– seemingly beset on all sides by distractions. And sometimes, ensuring that you’re primed for productivity is a simple task you forsake.
Here are some simple hacks to help you be more organized and progressive even when you are extremely busy.
Productivity Hack #1: Cut out distractions
Gossip, Noise, and Hunger— These are the most common examples of the biggest productivity killers.
We’ve all been there! We’re trying to get things done but distractions tempt us one after the other. Working in an office, your productivity depends on the work environment around you. It’s almost impossible to stay focused on completing tasks when there is a big number of office distractions.
While it’s a great way to take a break, talk with colleagues, play games, or boost inspiration, it’s also an actionable way to lose track of time and waste it on non-work duties.
If you find yourself spending a lot of time NOT working, it may be because your distractions are out in the open where you’re tempted too easily.
Fortunately, there are several approaches you can try to ensure that your productivity is the best it can be.
Some may choose a simple solution such as locking a phone in the drawer if it eats up a lot of their working time; whereas others may invest in their own coffee maker that limits the number of times they spend on coffee breaks. Furthermore, if you’re easily distracted with outside noises, you may start to consider investing in a decent pair of noise-canceling headphones.
Whatever method you use, you can be sure that it’s for the best, and it will be reflected in your work moving forward.
Productivity Hack #2: Optimize your workspace
Everyone works differently. Some people need the structure of their own desk in the office to do their best work. Others prefer to hop around, going from their desk to a conference room or other vacant area. Many now prefer to handle their business remotely, whether it’s from a coffee shop, library, or their own homes.
Whatever works for you, optimizing your workspace can truly make a difference in your productivity. In our previous article about ways to make your workspace less stressful, we have mentioned a numbers of studies say that a well-designed workspace can increase your productivity by 20%.
The physical environment is the number one factor in determining an employee’s ability to focus and stay focused. So, here’s a list of ways to optimize your workspace.
Choose ergonomic
The best ergonomic solutions will often improve productivity. By designing a job to allow for good posture, less exertion, fewer motions and better heights and reaches, the workstation becomes more efficient.
In fact, leading companies are integrating ergonomics deeply into all of their operations. So if improving productivity is one of your company’s core business objectives, start investing now for ergonomics.
You can start in an ergonomic chair that is comfortable and adjustable; or if you’re not ready to buy a new chair, try using supportive cushions on your seat for back support. Clearly, there are varieties of options on how you can improve the quality of your workplace.
Lighting can be a big issue for productivity. Too much can make you antsy, and too little may make you drowsy.
You can start by investing in a light therapy lamp or an ambient lamp to decrease eye-strain at your desk. Also, you can try the blue light, or high-temperature lighting which has been found to improve concentration by nearly 37%. (source)
But if that’s not possible, you can just arrange your office to get the most natural light on your workspace without getting it directly on your screen. An example of a great office is the one that allows plenty of natural light in, without glaring up your computer screen.
Adjust temperature
Office temperature may not seem like a high priority, compared to all the things your company has to deal with on a daily basis, but it’s clearly in every business’ best interest to keep workers as comfortable as possible to maintain high levels of productivity.
People work best when they’re at a comfortable temperature. What’s comfortable varies by person, but experts recommended working in air-conditioned office environments between 70 and 73 degrees Fahrenheit. (source)
Keep Snacks Handy
Always stay full and hydrated!
But sometimes, when you’re distracted, it’s easy to ignore hunger cues. Going too long without food can lead to discomfort, excessive hunger, and inattention. To avoid this, select a few nutritious snacks to keep on hand, like fruits, nuts, granola bars, and cheese.
Also, aside from taking a cup of coffee to fuel up your energy, you may also consider having a moderate sip of wine during your busy hours. There are some health benefits to mild alcohol consumption. It serves as a way to release the tension in your body and offers an easy way to relax.
Get a plant
Plants don’t just look great—they also circulate oxygen and alleviate stress on the job. Install an indoor garden for the office, or pick up a few plants for your own desk.
Office plants have been proven to boost productivity by as much as 15%. In fact, a University of Exeter study found that plants improve concentration and employee engagement with their work, both cognitively and emotionally. Not many know that placing a plant in their office can work for wonders for productivity, especially when you consider that plants can improve a person’s wellbeing by 47% and enhance productivity by 45%.(source)
Improve air quality
Studies suggest that clean air impacts more than just your health. A National Research Council of Canada study found that higher carbon dioxide concentrations and levels of small particle pollution are associated with lower workplace satisfaction.
In fact, according to a study, bad air quality can reduce productivity by as much as 9% — a hefty number, considering the fix is so easy. Improving air can be as simple as opening windows, especially if you can create cross ventilation.
Alternatively, invest in an air purifier or humidifier to keep your office space fresh.
Productivity Hack #3: Set up a calendar
Let’s be real – we all like to dilly dally. Which is why STRICTLY setting a due date or a deadline for your work is important. This is a very common method to improve productivity at work, but you’d be surprised at how many people struggle due to the lack of one.
It will help you get things done in a timely manner. The sense of urgency will subconsciously make you work a little faster than before. Plus, you will eliminate unnecessary pressure.
Creating a schedule doesn’t have to take a lot of time. All you need is 10 minutes every night (or Sunday, for weekly basis) to prep your schedule. Whether you use a paper calendar or a digital app, having an agenda for the week or day will keep you on track.
Take note that this may not necessarily make everything go as planned, but at least you are well prepared.
Productivity Hack #4: Update your to-do-List
This seems pretty obvious, but do you find yourself writing things down multiple times, trying to coordinate across multiple apps, and still not getting your work done?
Then you need a proper system to update your to-do-lists.
Some may feel that the secret to productivity is to multi-task, but nothing could be further from the truth. Concentrating too much on a series of different projects can mean that the full focus is taken off each particular project.
Contrary to the multi-tasker’s creed, you’ll actually get more tasks done by doing them individually as well as you’ll do it quicker and with fewer mistakes and less rework. That is clearly why you need a to-do-list to improve your productivity at work.
To-do-lists come in all shapes and sizes depending on what works for the individual. (I’m not just referring to cluttered memo and sticky notes though)
Some research suggests writing information by hand helps us remember it better. But if you last picked up a pen years ago, then there’s a huge range of digital apps that can help you create personal to-do-lists.
Just make sure to be more specific and make actionable plans.
Overstuffing your lists causes a continuous thrum of worry in your head, and this constant disquiet has negative effects in your productivity. In fact, 41% of to-do tasks are never completed. (source)
During a busy day, it’s not unusual for a workspace to become cluttered. However, simply allowing the clutter to build up can mean that you have a chaotic atmosphere to work in, which is hardly the best when it comes to productivity.
It’s easy for even the most organized people to let their desks get cluttered by pile of papers, food wrappers, gadgets, knick-knacks, and everything else that makes its way into the office. Each of these things slows you down, wastes your time and energy, and stresses you out.
In fact, studies show that productivity and income decline when mess and chaos rise. Furthermore, it tells us that an average person spends 4.3 hours a week searching for papers while executives waste 1 hour per day searching for missing information.
Taking some time to declutter your workspace allows you to start the next day afresh, and ensure you’re not distracted by a series of paperwork and empty coffee cups.
Productivity Hack #6: Listen to music
Listening to music while working gives you a boost in productivity, creativity and memory retention. In fact, A study found 88% of workers were more accurate when listening to music, and improved productivity by 58%.
Although, music’s effect on productivity varies by task. For example, if you need to chew away at some menial and tedious work, play something upbeat. If you need to brainstorm and be creative, use relaxing music. However, tasks that require concentration, like writing, are better performed with instrumentals for ambience so you won’t be as tempted to stop and sing along with the lyrics.
On the flip side, working in a loud and noisy environment can be distracting, which can take a toll to your overall productivity. Small changes like adjusting volume may help you be more productive when moving from task to task throughout the day.
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Productivity Hack #7: Embrace Office Automation
The company you work for –like all modern businesses – runs on technology. When your systems are down, business stops, thus, kills overall productivity.
One of the easiest ways to improve productivity is to let machines and software do the work for you. Unlike humans, who get worn down by repetitive tasks, machines and software can sift through files and documents without blinking.
The idea of office automation is to offer your employees flexibility and reliability. If your office systems aren’t automated yet, it’s worth considering adopting a few that bring your workplace up to speed.
You may have big role with a lot of pressure, but it’s easier with tools that help you automate your tasks. For example, you may leave repetitive work to your machines and software and creative work to your team. Not only will you be able to work faster, you’ll be able to have more time and freedom to come up with new thoughts and fresh ideas.
Office automation adds efficiency to your workflows, but you need to look beyond emails and digital forms to really embrace it.
If you are looking for an office automation solution that can take your company workflows to the next level, check out this list for the coolest office automation software in the market today: Top office automation tools
Productivity Hack #8: Shorten Meetings
While meetings can be vital to your business, they have a nasty habit of expanding to fit the available time slot, even if those extra conversations don’t provide value.
Before you schedule a meeting that pulls everyone away from what they’re doing, ask yourself if it’s truly essential that everyone get together to talk. To avoid the meeting version of scope creep, cut the time by 25%. You’ll still tackle the important topics but be less likely to have unnecessary discussions.
Send out a clear agenda beforehand and be sure to stick to it. If you’ll realistically only need 30 or even 15 minutes to cover what you need to, schedule that shorter block of time.
Invite only the people for whom the issue at hand is truly relevant. These principles will help you run meetings that enhance productivity and show value for everyone’s time.
Lastly, if getting together in person isn’t completely necessary, consider eliminating the meeting entirely. An email will do or consider using web conferencing softwares where you can talk virtually. Your staff or your team will thank you.
Becoming more productive doesn’t mean working all the hours possible. In fact, if you’re not giving yourself enough breaks throughout the day, then you could be doing more harm than good in the long-term.
The breaks you take could be something as simple as sipping a cup of tea, to immersing yourself in a book for half an hour, or taking a round of your favorite cellphone game. This may seem wasteful in the first instance but taking a break can help refresh your mind and ensure your complete focus is on your work for the duration.
The tendency to overwork is rife. However, having too much work does not mean working efficiently, if anything, it only damages productivity. Part of the problem is sheer tiredness. As you might expect, when fatigue rises, productivity tends to fall. (source)
When you start working upwards of 50 hours a week, you start losing time for quality sleep and rest in your life. After all, you have other, personal responsibilities to handle.
Productivity Hack #10: Stay Motivated
All too often, a total lack of motivation severely dampens employee productivity. When you lose your motivation, you lose the ability to stay productive.
STAY MOTIVATED—This seems pretty simple but we all know that we can’t always stay a step ahead.
So at least once a week, check in with yourself by assessing how you’re feeling, and then make plans to remedy any negative emotions that may be lingering. Self-care is important for productivity, so don’t continually neglect yourself in the name of getting more done at the office.
There are numbers of motivational strategies you can read and hear out there. But do whatever the hell makes you happy. These aren’t hard-and-fast rules; they’re just hacks for productivity that worked for most people.
Experiment until you find what works for you. The important thing is that you’re happy, relaxed and motivated in your workspace, and that you never stop trying to make it better, because it’ll never really be a 100% optimal place to work.
Lastly, as a manager, you are in a position to significantly influence the atmosphere in your workplace, so be positive! If you can create an environment that people actually enjoy working in, they’ll be more likely to give you their very best.
Remember that employee motivation requires a company culture that is dynamic and nurturing. Your motivation is vital in keeping your company alive and thriving.
Takeaways from the 10 productivity hacks
Productivity means everything to the success of your business.
But, let’s be real– distractions are the greatest productivity killers. The more office distractions you have, the less productive you are.
Take steps to foster your team’s productivity by boosting employee morale, encouraging healthier behaviors, optimizing workspace, and designing smarter workflows.
It’s easy to carry out these office hacks, but it can take some time to get used to the new working conditions. If you fall at the first hurdle simply keep repeating the process until it becomes a habit, and you’ll find your productivity is in full swing in next to no time.
We hope that these hacks will help you to increase your productivity and work efficiency. Which ones are you already applying? If you have any other hacks, do share with us at the comment box.
Make sure to share this article with anyone you think could use it!
When you find yourself in need of wine, coffee, kombucha, tea, beer, or snacks for your office or event, shoot us a message!
