Monthly Archives: April 2012

A common scene in almost every office is a desk with a computer screen, a keyboard, a mouse, some scattered documents, a coffee mug, a couple of keys, some stationary and a variety of other things that we all own. This cluttered desk can affect productivity in various, very different ways. There are two schools of thought in this debate. One section believes that a clutter free desk has adverse effects on productivity. The other section is of the viewpoint that a messy desk can in fact improve the efficiency of the individual.

A popular expression that has survived the test of time is, “a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind”. In case your desk is a maze of myriad objects and documents, then there are very high chances that you might miss out the important stuff in this mess. You tend to spend your time on the tasks that are clearly visible to you and this might mean that buried inside are the all important, critical tasks. An organized desk sends out the impression that the individual is on top of things. This has led to an entire industry being created to guide people on how to remove the clutter on their desk.

In contrast, a different theory that is being propounded aggressively is that a messy desk can actually help a person be more productive. Studies conducted by researchers in Germany, have demonstrated that the clutter on a desk helps a person think more clearly. The individual tries to simplify the available tasks and as a result, the efficiency increases substantially. This section believes that in order to keep a tidy desk, more time is spent in organizing things then the time spent on the actual work itself. Famous personalities like Road Dahl and Albert Einstein are known to have thrived on cluttered desks.

Thus, there are strong and pressing arguments both in favour and against a cluttered desk. Still, if you want to remove the mess on your desk, then there are some very easy ways to do that. The biggest nuisance that creates stress is a stream of documents strewn all over the place. This makes it difficult to locate the essential ones. So sort these papers and put them away in different files, which can accessed as per the requirements. The cables and cords of the various electronic devices can also be annoying. These can be taken care of by simply changing the arrangement or else by combining them into one single entity. Create designated places for the objects that are currently on your desk.

There are no clear cut answers as to what is right and what is wrong. Each individual has a different comfort zone and so it should be left for him or her to decide the best suitable desk. It is the quality of work done that matters and not how a desk is arranged. So, the debate continues.

In the current times, health is of paramount importance in our daily lives. All our activities are performed keeping in mind their effects on our health. This is true for our food habits, our daily physical activity, our work atmosphere and almost anything that we do. In such a situation, cleanliness is another aspect of our existence that should concern us, considering our fixation with health. It is one of the most essential practices for a healthy mind as well as a healthy body. A clean house can be a harbinger of a healthy family while its absence can promote physical and mental diseases.

In this regard, the hygiene of the food is vital. For healthy food habits, the utensils and the food ingredients should be clean and free of dirt. Simultaneously, also ensure that your kitchen sink is not dirty. All the food residues need to be washed away after every round of utensil cleansing. The toilet is another place in the house that requires regular maintenance. It is very easy for bacteria to grow in the environments such as those that exist in the toilet. Thus, proper care needs to be taken and the area should be cleaned as often as possible.

The electronic appliance, namely, the vaccum cleaner has made it easy to get rid of dust and other germs that exist in a house. The carpets are the prominent places for these things to thrive. So, the carpets and rugs need to be vacuumed weekly to remove the dust in your home. A closed house is also potentially a disease invitation. Open the doors and windows at least once every morning for fresh air to circulate in your home and remove the stale air. Even oxygen levels are replenished by these activities, which is so essential for our survival.

The cleaning is also required by the various breeding grounds of microorganisms, such as the telephone, the computer, door knobs etc. In addition to your home, your vehicle also requires cleaning to stay healthy. The tires of your vehicle might be carrying mud and other dirty substances which usually carry a lot of germs. This can result in spread of viruses in your home. So, take care of your vehicle as much as you take care of your house. Other than that, the daily bath to cleanse the body is a given. It is something that you should not compromise on under any circumstances. It is strongly recommended that clothes should also be washed daily or on alternate days to ensure that they are free of microorganisms.

Our health is in our own hands. So, it is imperative that we take good care of it. Keeping a clean environment and surroundings can help us achieve that objective. It can prevent diseases from setting shop in our homes.  Thus, to keep our mind and body fresh and healthy, cleanliness is essential.