Anyone else having one of those weeks where the days tend to all blend together? Where somehow it’s only Wednesday even though you’re convinced that it should most definitely be Friday already? The workday can get a bit stale if you let it – given how much time we spend at the office each week it’s important to shake things up a bit and ditch the routine from time to time to keep things feelin’ fresh.

Over the years I’ve worked in a variety of office environments – from lonely cubicles to buzzing open offices – and while there are many things we can’t quite change during the 9-5 grind, we can add a little spice to our day! A few things I’ve tried and swear by:

Add a bit of happy to your workspace: Whether it be a few favorite photos of friends and family, a cute little succulent or just a pretty desktop background, adding a little bit of personality to your workspace can go a long way. Being surrounded by things that make you happy can immediately boost your mood and get your creative juices flowing. I recently added a bulletin board over my desk at home that I blog from and being able to glance up at some of my latest inspiration and notes from readers always gets me excited again about blogging and creating content!

Try a new afternoon snack: Like clockwork I hit an afternoon slump every day around 2 PM – it’s when that post-lunch hunger creeps in and I end up scavenging the office kitchen for a snack (always dangerous!). Lately I’ve been packing a few snacks of my own to bring to work to not only help myself make better snacking choices, but also mix things up a bit. I’ve been hooked on noosa Yoghurt in the morning for breakfast (their Pumpkin flavor is heavenly!) but the brand recently came out with a brand new Sweet Heat line that’s my latest obsession as an afternoon snack. It blends sweet and spicy flavors with the perfect creamy texture that makes for the ultimate afternoon snack that really satisfies since it’s packed with protein. The Blackberry Serrano flavor is SO good!

Create a workday playlist: Whenever I need to seriously buckle down and get work done, I always grab my headphones and turn up the tunes. Creating specific playlists for various parts of your day can really help with productivity – try an upbeat and fun playlist to listen to after completing a big assignment or a collection of classical tunes as background noise while writing. It really helps!

Get some fresh air: During a busy day it can be tough to find a moment to pull ourselves away from our desk but trust me, it can make a big difference! Schedule a walking  meeting to catch up on the latest project status or prep for a big client call – even a quick walk around the block can bring a fresh perspective to your day and instantly lift your mood. If you struggle with sneaking away, bring a bit of the outdoors into your workspace with plants and greenery, or grab your laptop and work near a window to soak up a bit of sunshine.

Bring along a furry friend: Working in a dog friendly office has literally been a dream come true for me – there’s nothing better than having Callie hanging out under my desk while I work. Having a furry friend in the workplace will lighten the mood during stressful times and serve as an excellent reminder to not take ourselves too seriously (Callie is notorious for rolling around on her back during meetings and making everyone laugh!)

What are some of your favorite ways to spice up the workday? Have you tried noosa Yoghurt yet?

This post was sponsored by Noosa and as always, all opinions are 100% honest and my own – authenticity is a top priority and I only partner with brands I truly love. Thank you for supporting the brands that partner with Pretty & Fun!

Photos by Tory Putnam