customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

moreOnThisArticles

urlAlias

commentCount

sponsorType

authorLocations

authors

paywallTypes

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

socialHeadline

headline

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

publishedDate

additionalInfoBoxes

images

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

createdDate

sponsor

factSheets

series

knowledgeQuestion

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

copyrighted

customTimezone

liveContents

Keeping your desk organised can improve your concentration at home or in the office.
German psychologist Iris Dohmen, based in Berlin, advises companies on issues including stress and time management. She explains the benefits of a tidy workspace and reveals why she no longer uses Post-it notes:
“That has to do with organisation and time management. If I’m well organised, including at my desk, that brings down the stress level.
“In the office, an untidy workplace can lead to criticism from managers and colleagues, for example, if you are sick and the person covering for you can’t find the documents they need.

“A chaotic desk also makes a bad impression on clients, which can have repercussions for others in the company – and, ultimately, for you personally.
“Studies show that if a desk looks untidy, employees are sometimes assumed to be chaotic and not fully committed to their work.
“A picture of your children or partner can be helpful in stressful situations. Looking at it can distract you for a moment during a challenging phone call with a customer and help you remain positive.
“Some people’s desks are cluttered with personal items. A Sudoku puzzle or a magazine are naturally distracting. So it’s important to keep a balance.

“Things that you need for work but that aren’t on your to-do list should also be kept out of sight as they can disrupt the flow of concentration.
“But again, one or two positive triggers like a family photo or a plant are good to have on a desk. Having a stress ball around can also help in tense situations.
“My desk is organised by topic. I keep the most important things within easy reach. A desk should be organised according to relevance and urgency.
“If I’m expecting a call from an important customer in the next two days, I need to be prepared and know where to find all the relevant documents. Anything else would look unprofessional.
“My desk used to be a mess – full of clutter and covered in Post-it notes. I have now got into the habit of making notes using tools such as an online calendar, which works really well.”


Acne, eczema and insomnia can signal poor gut health; here’s how to safeguard yours

The best plant-based milks for the lowest calories and better protein quality

Seed oils lower stroke risk, cholesterol despite social media warnings, according to expert

How art helped heal a breast cancer survivor hit hard by chemotherapy side effects

Wellness

For less stress, keep a tidy desk. Expert offers decluttering tips, explains the benefits

Is your desk covered in clutter? The mess may be a source of stress, and affect your concentration, a psychologist explains. Photo: Shutterstock

German psychologist Iris Dohmen no longer uses Post-it notes on her desk. Photo: LinkedIn

Having an organised workspace can help you stay calm and focused at work. Photo: Shutterstock

Neuroscientists discover how to achieve ‘flow’ state and what the brain does to enable it

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - NOVEMBER 20: John McLaughlin performs on stage at London Jazz Festival at the Royal Festival Hall on November 20, 2014 in London, United Kingdom. Photo: Getty Images

Flow, the feeling of being “in the zone”, is when we are so immersed in an activity such as playing a musical instrument that our actions seem to happen automatically. A team of neuroscientists studied jazz guitarists to find out how to achieve a flow state and what the brain does during it. Photo: Shutterstock

Psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, who died in 2021 aged 87. Photo: Claremont Graduate University

Postdoctoral researcher Yong-taek Oh improvises on guitar while wired up to an electroencephalogram (EEG) machine for the study into “flow” at Drexel University’s Creativity Research Laboratory. Photo: Drexel University

John McLaughlin performs at London’s Royal Festival Hall on November 20, 2014. Photo: Getty Images

Tips for a digital detox when too much online information gives you ‘popcorn brain’

Online English teacher Chhavii Mehtaa cut back her workload after she developed “popcorn brain” symptoms. Photo: Chhavii Mehtaa

Always online and finding it hard to focus on a single thought or task? You may have popcorn brain. Photo: Shutterstock

Online platforms and social media sites can overstimulate our brain’s reward system, says Dr Sonia Lal Gupta. Photo: Dr Sonia Lal Gupta

Online English teacher Chhavi Mehtaa cut back her workload after she developed symptoms of “popcorn brain”. Photo: Chhavii Mehtaa

Roli Gaur’s extended use of her phone and computer affected her family ties; she sought help after realising she had stopped interacting with her children. Photo: Roli Gaur

The cover of Gloria Mark’s book. Photo: Amazon

How Gen Z struggles with ADHD shown in Hong Kong girl’s story of symptoms and treatment

ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) is the third most common mental health diagnosis for Gen Z. Illustration: Eunice Tse

ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) is the third most common mental health diagnosis for Gen Z. Jasmine Chan talks about her symptoms, while experts explain what kind of treatment is available. Illustration: Eunice Tse

Jasmine Chan was recently diagnosed with ADHD and is finding ways to manage her symptoms, including through meditation and playing singing bowls. Photo: Lindsay Feng

Difficulty engaging in quiet or seated leisure activities, excessive talking, restlessness, and interrupting others are typical hyperactive and impulsive ADHD symptoms. Photo: Shutterstock 

Early intervention is crucial in a person diagnosed with ADHD. Photo: Shutterstock

Learning to play the singing bowls has helped Jasmine learn to relax and be more present. Photo: Shutterstock

Lifestyle

Health & Wellness

Health

Organise your workspace for better focus; have relevant and urgent items in easy reach – and a photo of a loved one to stay positive


Is your desk covered in clutter? It may make it hard to concentrate. A psychologist explains the benefits of keeping a tidy workspace, from how it reflects on you to how it helps your stress levels.


Mental health