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How Office Work Influences Our Mental Health

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OliviaMartinez
How Office Work Influences Our Mental Health

Over the past several months, the COVID-19 virus has spread to almost all the continents, infecting people in many countries. The outbreak of the pandemic doesn't only have repercussions for the economy; the whole society suffers, which leads to dramatic changes in how businesses and consumers behave. Many companies were forced to close, and the commercial real estate industry suffered from a lack of demand for space. After the reopening of some premises, the landlords had to follow the quarantine rules and take appropriate measures regarding the customisation of offices. Experts state that offices in a post-coronavirus world will be completely different environments in comparison to how they looked like before the outbreak of the pandemic.

At present, many employers and employees express concerns about whether work in an office will be a blessing or a problem. Further on, we will try to explain the advantages and disadvantages of the office environment and its impact on the mental health of its occupants.

 

Traditional office VS home office | pros and cons 

As long as there have been businesses, there have been brick and mortar workspaces. These are traditional cubicles with lots of desks, meeting venues, and employees all around. Contrary to that - there are virtual spaces that allow people to obtain a business address, at the same time, work from home offices. Typical employees spend, to say the least, 40 hours per week at work, and the workspace they choose has a tremendous impact on their productivity and overall satisfaction from what they do.

 Of course, the work in a professional and dedicated surrounding has numerous pluses, with time management being one of the most beneficial perks. Offices for rent usually have fixed hours for work and breaks. People get used to these schedules, and thus, feel more organised and punctual. In offices, employees learn something new on a regular basis, become more entrepreneurial and diplomatic, gain experiences and knowledge from the interaction with colleagues. As a result, people claim that, when working from offices, they understand the business world better, have the possibility of building networks and, in the future, even implement and develop startups.

 Are there any disadvantages of working in a traditional office space? Surveys state that this kind of work-style can be harmful to your eyesight, as, in a modern digital world, much work is done using computers and other gadgets. Offices provoke static lifestyles, while people spend most of their working hours sitting in front of computers and finishing projects. Moreover, such kinds of premises are usually expensive to be rented.

A home office is often compared to the one-man-show. This type of workspace is an ideal solution for those who are starting up their ventures, as it can be an effective way to balance efficiency, costs, and capabilities. Some of the core benefits of a home-office environment are schedule flexibility, the constant availability of the necessary data, as the gadgets used for performing tasks are always near their owners, and the possibility to lower expenses on the physical workspace rental and invest money into the growth of a business.

 Does the home-office environment have any challenges connected with its use? Of course, it does. While a home office may be perfect for a solo practitioner, it can be hard to hire employees. And, as the business grows, it will definitely require a "new" location. Meeting with clients can be hard when you work out of a private residence. The lack of a professional event space may have not the best impact on your business image. Burnout is the worst. When you work at home, you're home all the time. You live at home, work at home, and sleep at home. This seclusion can cause undue stress and anxiety.

 

Office space and mental health of its employees | Correlation

 For many of us, work is a significant part of our lives. It is where we spend much of our time, where we get our income, and often where we make our friends. Having a fulfilling job can be useful for your mental health and general well-being.

 During several last decades, the office industry has gone through a range of transformations. In the early 2000s, the market has seen a rise in the open plan venues instead of the concrete cubicles. Later on, approximately five years ago, flexible work suites became even more comfortable for their tenants, with tennis tables, massage rooms, book corners, and other zones for relaxation appearing here and there. The office trends come and go, but there is one thing that remains resilient to time - the impact the office makes on its residents.

 The less stressful and more productive atmosphere in the workplace can be achieved by a quality workspace design. The workers need to feel comfortable in their physical surroundings to be maximally productive. On top of that, most employees have positive feedback when the office space they work in is "healthy." What does it mean? Well, in case a venue possesses options like wellness rooms, sit-stand desks, healthy food catering, ergonomic furniture, etc., such a venue will be highly valued by the people working there.

 Workers spend approximately one-third of our lives at the office. In a modern world, to retain talents and hire new ones, employers need to offer competitive advantages to employees and create a workspace that provides a natural collaboration. It's not a secret that most venues nowadays are open-plan ones, and this type of layout can be fantastic and have a positive impact on its tenants' mental health. Nowadays, there are lots of properties where people can thrive.

 The WELL Building Standard focuses on seven concepts of building performance: Air, Water, Nourishment, Light, Fitness, Comfort, and Mind. Even if you have no immediate plans (or the budget!) to become WELL Certified, companies can still utilize the principles to help create a healthier environment. According to The WELL Building Standard, the office environment that features a high air quality, natural lighting, views of nature, ventilation, as well as comfortable furniture, and its flexible layout has a positive impact on the mental health of the workers, their well-being in the workplace and high productivity.

 

 Summing up

 Are your the owner of a business? Or is there any other reason that makes you require an office? It is always essential to perform business tasks and conduct business affairs in a place where you feel comfortable. In such a way, you will reach the necessary heights in your business. When the surroundings match your styles (both - personal and professional), you will manage to concentrate on the job, think more clearly, innovate, and create. An office is the first and foremost business base. It should be responsive to the tenants' requirements and create an atmosphere of togetherness. The office has a positive impact on the residents' mental health when the latter feel at home there. Here we speak about decorations, kitchenettes, and other cosy nooks, that bring a sense of relaxation during the working days. Practically every office for rent in US is a vivid example of a safe, sustainable, and business-oriented workspace, customisable to tenants' needs. Speak out your needs to the landlord and choose the workspace that matches your business in this location, and may your commercial adventure be incredible there!

 

 

 

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