It is said that the office environment creates a significant effect on the employees’ health and well-being. Employers have started paying more attention to this need and giving their employees the kind of workspace they would feel calm, relaxed, and comfortable.
When a workplace is designed so that people working in it feel less stressed, the result is an increase in productivity.
Gone are the times when offices had cubicles and looked dull. Today, the spaces are open and comfortable. They have areas that could be used for meditation, creative collaboration, and other fun activities.
A good workspace design should have elements that would significantly impact the employees regarding health and well-being, productivity, and satisfaction.
Working with nature can certainly help people be more productive, alert, healthy, and have a more positive outlook. Even in an office setting, this can be made possible if you have a good design. This should include water, light, air, proper nourishment, social or breakout space, a comfortable work area, and a place for physical activity.
Additionally, there should also be plenty of green spaces to walk around and breathe. It may not be in your actual workplace if the space is limited, but it can be in an open courtyard in the building or a park around the corner.
Here are seven elements that can help bring nature into every workspace.
- Water: Educating everyone in the office about drinking water can benefit the body and promote a healthier lifestyle. Your office can set up a water cooler to support this, so that safe water for drinking is easily accessible to everyone.
- Light: Using proper lighting as well as maximizing natural lights can help in reducing headaches, blurred vision, and eye strain among employees. It will also help if they are within a distance of 10 feet to a window. Skylights may be added or installing different light sources such as task lighting, and ambient lights can also have proper lighting. Make sure that there are no flickering lights and avoid having any glare.
- Air: Having good air quality promotes productivity and a healthier environment. This can be done by having a no smoking policy, putting air infiltration systems, keeping the humidity level healthy, and ensuring that the workplace is free from clutter. Opening the windows for fresh air as well as adding some plants can promote air quality also.
- Proper Nourishment: Promoting a healthier lifestyle by encouraging healthy food choices can be done by making fruits and veggies available. Discourage processed foods and create nutritional information where everyone can see. Accessible food should also be appropriately labeled if some employees have food allergies, and install a handwashing facility to promote cleanliness and food safety. Having a space that is specifically for mindful eating can also encourage eating healthier foods.
- Social Space: Having a breakout space can enhance creativity, concentration, confidentiality, and collaboration among peers. It can also be a place for the employees to unwind and relax. For this type of space, you can add some plants, flower gardens, or living walls. If you need a hand for the greenery and its maintenance, you may ask for the assistance of commercial mowers.
- Comfortable Work Area: Creating a creative and quiet space and is free from sounds can be a zone for brainstorming or a place to have informal meetings. Having the flexibility to choose the work area and using the proper ergonomics can reduce muscle fatigue and musculoskeletal disorder while at the same time increasing productivity.
- A Place for Physical Activity: Having a space for physical activity and having flexible work areas can encourage alertness and boost the employees’ energy, resulting in better decision-making and increased concentration. Other ways to make the employees move and not just be in a stationary position all day is by making the stairways accessible and open, having storage for bicycles, or having a shower facility may further invite them to stay active.
Office trends may change, but what does not is that the workplace environment really affects an employee’s overall health and well-being. Having a workspace that is well- designed that would make them feel comfortable and not stressed out while also encouraging them to stay active and not have a limited movement can increase work productivity and boost creativity among employees.
Incorporating elements from nature such as air, water, light, and some greenery can also further promote a much healthier environment for everyone in the office. If there is an extra space outdoors that you can convert into a small garden, it would be even much better as it would only not give your office a healthier feel but would give an added appeal.