To relieve anxiety, some workers turn empty milk-tea cups into makeshift humidifiers or keep unusual desk ‘pets’ like rocks and mango pits
2-MIN READ2-MIN ListenZoey ZhangPublished: 9:00am, 2 Sep 2026A growing number of Chinese workers are sharing tips on social media to combat “office ageing.” Suggestions range from applying sunscreen and using full-face masks to setting up parasols at their desks.
Recently, a RedNote user with the handle @lelehangmu from Jiangsu province in eastern China shared that just one month into his job, his complexion had noticeably darkened, and his eyes frequently felt strained. The post quickly resonated with others.
Another user reported that she appeared significantly fairer after taking time off, while a third expressed frustration over persistent second-hand smoke in shared office spaces.
In response, some workers have started erecting parasols at their desks, donning sun hats or face coverings, and generously applying sunscreen to their faces and arms.
Lighting designer Yoki informed a mainland media outlet that offices often favour cool-toned lighting to keep workers alert, with the hope that this will enhance productivity.
However, lighting is just one aspect of a larger problem concerning the office environment.
