April marks the 30 year anniversary of National Stress Awareness Month – a campaign that helps educate people on the importance of mental wellbeing.
And one of the biggest factors in how thousands of people experience and respond to stress is the work environment.
For office staff, there are several simple measures that can reduce its impact and improve worker wellbeing.
Reduce stress by bringing the outdoors in
Nobody wants to be cooped up in an office all day – but not everyone works opposite a park either.
So while it might not be that easy to nip out into nature during your dinner break, it’s relatively simple to green up your office.
And aside from looking nice, plants have been proven to offer several other benefits in the workspace.
They act as air filters, absorbing not just carbon dioxide but also other potential pollutants like benzene and formaldehyde.
Plus, like going for a walk outside can clear your mind, bringing plants into the office can create a calmer and happier overall environment.
Consider adding a living wall (pictured below) for something unique!
Get moving!
Everyone knows that sedentary lifestyles aren’t healthy – and one of the easiest places to spend too long sitting down is the office.
For both our physical and mental health, being more active is a proven stress reliever and preventer.
It’s relatively simple to introduce the option of a couple of sit-stand desks for those workers who may want to spend a few hours off their seat.
Or to be more ambitious, investing in a treadmill or cross trainer for the office could improve the productivity and stress levels of some.
Private space to de-stress and focus
Social interaction in the office is often important for morale, productivity and collaboration.
But while it’s nice to chat, share and get help from colleagues, it can also be beneficial to have time alone, to reflect and to concentrate.
A private working zone could be ideal for anyone who wants to concentrate on a task without external distraction or interruption.
By setting aside space for staff to work away from the main team, even for a few hours, you can help reduce stress.
Privacy pods (also known as focus booths) are a great way of adding a quiet study space into the office. The pods can be single-seaters, or big enough for a small team depending on your company needs.
Lighten up
A body’s exposure to sunlight has a direct impact on the levels of serotonin it produces.
This mood boosting chemical sends signals of happiness and well being to the brain.
So the more natural light workers can get, the better – whether that’s working next to a window or simply taking regular breaks by one.
And why not consider glass partitioning over solid walls that don’t enable natural light to pass through?
Ready to reduce office stress?
While National Stress Awareness Month is a great reason to make the changes needed, the benefits will last longer than 30 days.
By creating an office environment that lessens the strain on your staff’s mental health, you can boost wellbeing and your bottom line in the long-term.
If you’d like to discuss your available options with an office design professional, please get in touch today.