How to create a healthy workspace

Whether you are working from home or in an office environment, it’s extremely important that you have access to a space in which you feel happy and comfortable. In fact, most of us spend so much time at our desks that  our immediate surroundings play a crucial role in feeding positivity and helping us to nurture our professional relationships. As a result of the obvious mental health benefits, a healthy workspace will also boost productivity – and posture, to boot. Here are some of the elements both employers and employees may want to consider.

Lighting

It’s well-known that sunlight is great for lifting the spirits. Many suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder in the winter months, during which shorter days and a subsequent hormonal imbalance can lead to bouts of depression. For this reason, it’s important to have as much natural light in your workspace as possible. If you work somewhere where this isn’t possible, you could also purchase SAD lamps, which simulate natural light.

Furniture

When it comes to decking out your office, style-wise it’s obviously a matter of taste. However, one thing to bear in mind is that it’s worth investing in high-quality office furniture that will support you and your staff. Think about ergonomic design: height-adjustable chairs, desks and screens will prevent back problems and you can also purchase specialist mice and keyboards if you find yourself constantly on the computer. Also, remember it’s about finding a balance. You want to avoid clutter, but equally, you don’t want your minimalist modern design to look clinical, or more like a gallery exhibit than an inhabitable space. Find the character that suits your company.

The bigger picture

Think also about the workplace as a whole. Have you or your workers got enough space? You don’t want it to feel claustrophobic or to infringe on people’s privacy. Is there also somewhere for people to wind down? It’s crucial to move around and get a change of scenery, and having a distinct break area could increase both drive and concentration. Is there a lot of background noise or could there be potential disturbances? Working by a busy road might seem good for your company logistically but it’s not necessarily ideal for productivity, just as working at home near the fridge might be more distracting than you had anticipated. It might seem trivial now, but putting in the time will be worth it when you find the perfect spot.

The editorial unit