Top 10 best ways to keep your sanity in the office

Personalize your space with inoffensive decor

You probably spend more hours of your life at your desk than you do anywhere else, which is why you may feel inclined to start decorating. Go ahead and make your office space your own; however, keep it simple and minimal.

What to avoid:

• Daily calendars that tear, or flip calendars with large photos of sports cars or baby animals
• Framed photos of pets
• A coffee mug branded with a witty "I love my job" quote
• 3-dimensional objects that could be mistaken for a souvenir or a collectible for some sort

Seek a social outlet

No matter what, find a friend. You might have to make some sacrifices as beggars can't be choosers. Sift through the departments and make a pros and cons checklist of who you'd most want to pair up with. You may have to opt for a perky and enthusiastic "good morning!" in place of an overwhelming, cheap perfume odor. I'd recommend lying low and observing the office environment carefully before jumping head first into an office friendship too quickly, risking immediate regret. Do your research and plan accordingly.

Get your vitamin D

Many professionals never see the light of day in their office buildings. Make it a point to step outside to remind yourself that the sun still shines and life continues to exist outside workplace walls. It's refreshing to remember that plants are still growing, the ecosystem is still functioning and the food chain is still being completed. The Earth is still revolving around the sun. If you need to pick up a smoking habit to get that 10 minute break, I suggest making that a worthwhile sacrifice. Even if you fake it. Even if it brings back haunting memories of peer pressure and smoking cigs in the high school bleachers.

Befriend a blog

I'm in no way encouraging a poor work ethic or a distraction from your work, but finding a blog that you can keep up with daily can give you a five-minute mental break for distressing. It can also aid in some quality procrastination. Also this crutch may come in handy for when your work friend takes a sick day. If you shamefully chose TheHollywoodGossip.com or ImNotObsessed.com – you may want to keep moneycentral.msn.com open as a tab in case someone unexpectedly visits your cube. Be ready for a quick switch. It's better to be caught looking at stock quotes rather than Lindsay Lohan's latest romp with Samantha Ronson.

Emotionally eat & drink your way to weight gain

This sounds like a recipe for disaster, and it is. Before you know it, you'll have gained 15 pounds with a dependence on Cokes and vending machine snacks. Soon everyone in the office will be snickering behind your back about your extra baggage. Once this happens, join a weight loss program and sign-up for a trainer at the gym. Lose that weight, look hot and then tempt everyone with candy on your desk and homemade baked goods as revenge.

Great options:

• Donuts
• Hard candies such as strawberry, butterscotch and mint
• Bagels and cream cheese
• Rice crispie treats

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