How to boost your mood by changing your workspace

Flo Theoboldon 13 April 2023
Houseplants next to a laptop

Want to know one of the easiest ways to boost your mood while studying?

Whether you’re struggling to get your head down and study at uni, get easily distracted while working from home, or find the repetition of your desk draining, the solution may be as simple as switching up your workspace. Once hours and hours of studying have gone by, and all you’re doing is staring into space and procrastinating, it’s probably time to refresh your workspace and bring some new inspiration into your work environment. 

Here are some suggestions on how you can kick-start the transformation of your workspace, whether that be in your uni dorm or home office, small changes can make a big difference. 

How can you bring life to your workspace?

Houseplants are a great way to bring life, colour and fresh air into wherever you are working. These can be cute succulents or cacti that don't require too much attention or big banana leaf plants that can totally change the vibe of a room. 

Lighting is super important, if you can put your desk by a large window to let in all that natural light during the working day, do it! The natural light will make all your surroundings feel warmer and more comfortable, hopefully filling you with motivation.

The colours and tones you surround yourself with are also important. You certainly don't want any harsh bright colours glaring at you, think subtle, soothing tones, like soft pinks, greens and neutrals, anything that will relax your mind and not create one extra distraction.

The scent is also a factor that can often be overlooked, the same as you would light a candle to feel more Christmassy or make your home smell like spring flowers, picking a scent that can relax your brain and bring comfort and focus to your workspace is worth considering. Scents such as pine, cedarwood and eucalyptus are not only soothing but are also proven to boost mood, increase productivity and give mental clarity.

Another option is to get out and find a new environment to work in altogether. Instead of staying cooped up in your uni room, try finding a spot in the library or a local cafe, both places that’ll have wifi and a place to sit. Most uni’s will have dedicated areas for studying, quiet, comfortable rooms or desks, something different from your home or dorm workspace, but still with an environment that encourages productivity. 

Don’t beat yourself up

It’s inevitable that people around you, including yourself, will still occasionally suffer from low energy and cba kinda days. It’s more the emphasis on how small changes to your workspace can really come together to make unmotivated down days easier to get through and bring any extra feel-good energy to your productive days. 

You won’t realise how much your mood is boosted until you try. Your work and studies never want to be dead weight or something you feel you are dragging with you each day, so bring some fun and creativity back into your workspace and watch as your mood is boosted.

What do you do to stay focused? Join the Student Hut Community and let us know. You’ll get 1000 reward points for signing up.

Flo Theoboldon 13 April 2023