As fans of a maximum productivity and talented procrastinators, we’re always on for hearing what is and isn’t helping us live our best lives in the work place. Be it at home or at the office, there are a whole host of tips and tricks that can help your brain function to its full potential (and we’re not talking procrastination apps or nootropics).

While freelancers have more flex on how many crystals and candles they have adorning their shelves, even hotdeskers can benefit from knowing how things as simple as desk choice and the colour of your computer background.

We spoke to interior design psychologist Eleftheria Karipidi for her mind-maxing tips:

1. Position your desk somewhere with maximum space around it, like at a window or in the middle of a room, instead of facing a wall. This can enhance the feelings of freedom and creativity, and reduce stress levels.

2. Candles or diffusers can help relax the mind and increase concentration. Choose lavender for calm or peppermint to boost concentration and memory.

3. Any sort of greenery, plants, flowers, foliage and even sceneries of nature, like a botanical wallpaper, can help reduce stress, increase relaxation and encourage creative thinking.

4. Shades of green and yellow help to enhance energy and productivity. But a bit of blue or red, maybe as a computer background, stationery or mouse pad, can help focus.

5. Natural light can have a huge impact on productivity, as can artificial ones which imitate natural light. Avoid blue lighting.

6. Objects with complex, creative design, like fun shapes and colours, can help stimulate ideas. Rectangles and squares exude stability and confidence, while triangles, polygons, trapezoids, parallelograms, cones and pyramids are more dynamic and energetic.

7. A sofa, armchair or footstool can help to relax while working. Changing seating positions throughout the day will help retain interest in work and reduce boredom. A standing desk can be a good alternative if you’re working at a laptop.

8. Try and work exercise into your short breaks; whether it’s on an machines, like a treadmill or elliptical, simply stretching or practising a short session of yoga.

9. All relevant work tools and books should be organised, easily accessible and uncluttered. A few topical, aesthetically pleasing books can be a good focus for a desk or shelf.

10. Natural elements, like wooden furniture, reduce stress and help clear the mind.

11. Sounds whacky, but access to a mirror can be effective to help you reflect, talk to yourself and make decisions.