Having worked with major Blue Chip Companies for over 20 years, I have seen how environments within the workplace have been transformed with the use of great design and furniture innovations. As we move back to the office whilst maintaining a new working from home mentality, a “Wellness/Mindful” approach to furniture selection will have a huge positive impact on employees’ mental health and wellbeing. Even at its most basic level, mindfulness has been proven to reduce anxiety, improve coping strategies and provide a boost to ability in high pressure environments, enabling people to be happier and more productive at work. From my personal experience of using furniture for wellness, I have noticed a positive impact on my own stress levels and daily wellbeing.
For many of us working from home has been a new experience and although studies have shown productivity has not reduced, the employee experience is varied. Some people love it, most miss the personal interaction but many find working from home extremely stressful and cannot wait for the return to the office. Everything we do demands our immediate attention. Emails, phone calls, interruptions, tech crashes, customer queries and of course those ever important deadlines - all working from an unusual home environment. How easy it is to become too busy, too tired and too stressed! That’s why relaxation, mindfulness and wellness are essential to our everyday lives.
However difficult our day, however busy we are, taking short moments for yourself will make a huge difference. That may be as simple as making a cup of tea but spend a few minutes looking out of the window or stepping outside to get fresh air. Short breaks can help you feel recharged and refreshed.
Once we return to the office our environments will be changing. The pandemic has allowed office design to “Pause, Reflect & Build for the future” – pushing cultural norms forward and encouraging a better employee experience. Workplace practices such as meditation, yoga, tech free zones for relaxation, outdoor areas and being in natural light will all enhance our overall wellbeing.
We are now starting to see furniture manufacturers bringing mindful products into their designs. Businesses should not be afraid to add these products into their workspaces and encourage employees to utilise them on a daily basis.
With the use of sound and vibration, pods bring a new dimension to reducing stress during our working day. Using the PowerNap pods for just 10 minutes a day can ease muscle tension and activate metabolism that assists in both physical and mental recovery.
For sure, mindfulness techniques will not reduce our workload or lessen the amount of unopened emails in our in-box. But utilising quiet retreat areas and innovative furniture can make a difference to our stress levels, help us become more productive in our work and have a more enjoyable employee experience.
Why not try some mindful meditation right now. Just a few minutes of quietness could be just the tonic you need before you take on your next task.
Blog Contribution by Phil Mogford, PM Workplace Consultancy