The average individual spends about 8-10 hours per day within the walls of their workspace. For a person to spend the majority of their time in an enclosed area, that space needs to be as comfortable as they can make it, for the utmost level of productivity. The state of your mental health has a lot to do with the condition of your physical environment. So, how does your office interior affect your well-being? Read below to learn more about healthy office design ideas and its impact on your mental health.
Ventilation
A cramped up space is, well, cramped. Any space requires adequate air flow. An environment that’s too hot or too cold can be quite uncomfortable to work in. Poor ventilation, elevated levels of Carbon Dioxide and indoor air irritants can have a negative impact on one’s attention span and deteriorate their ability to stay focused for long periods of time. Researches show that poor air quality in a work-space can bring down one’s level of productivity and affect their overall mental well-being. A bright, open space is likely to make people feel relaxed instead of boxed in.
Lighting system
Poor lighting in general can cause eye strain, headaches and increased stress levels which can hamper an employee’s performance. Our psychological response towards lights vary depending on the kind of light we are in. Different studies show that employees who worked closer to an area that has a lot of scope for natural to come through were happier, more motivated and had higher energy levels at work.
Ergonomics
Sitting at a desk for a prolonged period of time can lead to back pain and exhaustion; not to mention, bad posture. Having an ergonomically designed workplace can reduce a number of physical conditions. Having a well-maintained workstation with a supportive chair and a good desk layout will do wonders for an employee’s productivity and overall well-being. This is easily of the best things you can do to make your workplace stress free. Introducing separate standing desk stations is a good idea, too!
Biophilic design
The key to a healthy workplace? Get office plants! Nowadays, more and more people are leaning towards having biophilic elements in their interior. Components like more wooden structures and plants in a work-space can create a serene atmosphere. This can reduce stress levels and induce a calming effect on us. Keeping plants indoors has a lot of benefits. A little greenery around the office will not only be a pretty sight and make a healthy workplace but will control the quality of air, too.
Workplace space management
While the trending open layout design has a lot of perks, it comes with a few disadvantages. If you’re working in a co-working space, you will overhear a lot of conversations, coworkers stomping around the room, a printer doing its job. On the surface, it’s a busy office with a lot of energy and productivity but this might not be how other employees feel. A lack of personal space and excessive noise can make a person feel stressed and anxious. These factors can trigger the stress response. As a result, our bodies release cortisol and adrenaline. If this keeps happening long term, it might lead to anxiety and depression. However, that being said…
Collaboration spaces are equally important
Employees need a room where they can get a breathing space and have brainstorming sessions, discuss their ideas openly and where they can pay attention to one another’s ideas. Collaboration spaces enable employees to move around and work as a team which refrains them from being in a sedentary position for a while. Moreover, having quiet working stations will also provide employees with a safe place where they can work alone.
It’s important to personalize a space that you’ll be spending the majority part of your day. That’s why it’s important to implement healthy office design ideas. While some people function better in a chaotic space, it’s better to take care of your workstation and to put away the clutter. Promoting better mental health becomes easy with a healthy workplace and when you have a grip on the little details.
