Improving Mental Health When Working From Home
Mental health is something that we’re still getting to grips with as a society, so it’s unsurprising that office design which accommodates mental health problems may take a little longer to follow suit. That said, with remote working a massive thing, the war for talent on the rise, millennials choosing happiness over money, and creativity and energy being at a premium in people’s life, companies are seriously starting to take these things into account when considering their office layout.
Recently, there has been a great deal of academic development relating to wellbeing in the workplace, much of which has informed and inspired some of the new design techniques and building features which aim to combat mental health problems. The common denominator of them all, however, is that employees are the key beneficiaries, all with a view to increasing creativity and productivity.
What is Workplace Wellbeing?
When we think of wellbeing at work, you might immediately jump to things like energy and productivity but, in reality, these sorts of things should really be seen as upshots of office or workplace wellbeing. Office wellbeing proper, should be thought of as controlling problems such as stress and depression, as it tends to be these problems which are the root cause of low energy and productivity levels at work, especially with remote working becoming the chosen style of working.
A Gym
Some companies may not be large enough or possess the resources to invest in a gym, but the payoff is clear. Recent studies have suggested that sitting still for extended periods of time with little to no exercise can lead to numerous health problems, so encouraging exercise – especially during work hours – is an excellent way to boost office wellbeing.
Naturally with many people working remotely, a gym at home might be impossible. You could however choose to opt for smaller pieces of home gym equipment or joining your local gym (which would be even better if work picked up the bill)
Activity-based Work Settings
There are many arguments for and against an open-plan work setting, however, as of late, it seems that workers would rather strike a balance between energy and peace and quiet. This is where activity-based work settings (ABWS) come in. The idea behind ABWS is that they allow for a more varied work environment. That is, they include quiet spaces, creative hubs, standing desks and a network of spaces in between, all of which encourages employees to move around more.
Above all, ABWS affords employees with the luxury of choice, it allows them to escape the hustle and bustle or to enter a more social workspace as they see fit. The biggest problem with this whilst working from home is the introduction of a massive range of distractions. Afterall you’re at home, all your possessions are there and there’s no colleagues walking around to see what you’re doing.
Get the Right Lighting
Vitamin D and, in turn, daylight are absolutely vital to general wellbeing, which is why getting the correct amount of daylight into your working space is vital too – especially in the winter. This means opening your curtains in whatever room you’re working in and if you’ve got the choice, maybe try working in the garden – though we wouldn’t recommend that in winter.
Air Quality
Often forgotten, achieving a good level of air quality or air flow through the working space can also aid in achieving better standards of mental health. Since poor air quality can lead to respiratory problems which can have a knock-on effect on mental health, it’s certainly worth making sure your heating and ventilation systems are up to scratch.
Keeping Your Mental Health & Wellbeing Optimal
Not matter whether you’re working from home, the office or in the field keeping your mental health at optimal levels should be an absolute priority. If you feel you’re struggling you should reach out to someone, whether a friend, medical or occupational health provider dedicated to mental health support. You might feel weird about it to begin with, but you’ll feel amazing about it in the long run.
