Create space for yourself - at work

Is it easier said than done to create space for yourself - at work / during your working day? I don't think so:

2 things spring to mind - make sure your working environment is friendly. If you can and don't work in a rabbit warren of sound pods and cubicles add colour, pictures, plants and other things to make your space "YOUR space" after all you are there for a lot of hours each day, so why not make it enjoyable. Same goes for home offices. I am surrounded by books because from them I draw my inspiration and my peace of mind. When things get too cluttered, I pick up one and read a few pages. It can be enough to re-boot the mind. What you do is up to you of course, but you do need to think about where you work and how it is affecting your creativity. Too much clutter can lead to cluttered thinking, too much noise and you can't work effectively (so invest in a personal mp3 player of some sort). I only have one earphone in because I need to listen for the phones, but it is enough to give me ambient background noise to drown out the rest.

The second thing I would strongly recommend to you is getting out of the office during the day. Since Christmas / New Year I have made a very conscious decision to get away from my desk - every day. Well 4 out of 5 as I am with clients one day a week at the moment. Those 4 days I change our of my business wear and into track gear and runners... and I walk for about 30 minutes and 3.5km's. It gives me a break from

* sitting down all day
* the computer screen
* the telephone and the noise

it also gives me a chance to do the mental filing and the best bit, I don't get the afternoon slump, I don't spend money, I get an extra 2 hours worth of calories burnt off each week and I am much more productive in the afternoon / evening.

Don't have anywhere safe to walk? Try walking up and down the stairs a few times but you do need to get away - and no, DO NOT take your phone with you - this is your time.

How can you create space for yourself during your working day?