Wellness is finally becoming top of mind for workplaces and people alike. Perhaps this is a silver lining of COVID-19. The idea of wellness at work was historically focused on benefit plans or meeting the needs of one’s physical health. But today we know that is not enough. As we begin to come back to the office, it is critical that organizations establish trust. This means stepping up to do more than just mitigating a virus, but also taking action to support holistic wellbeing.
In May 2020, The Kaiser Family Foundation found that more than half of Americans reported the current pandemic was harming their mental health. The impact and fallout of this is still yet to be seen, but workplaces have an opportunity to act now. Recognizing the impacts of emotional and cognitive health will be just as important as addressing those associated with physical health.
Design with empathy
The physical environment has a significant impact on how people feel in a space. Imagine the different emotions you feel walking into a crowded stadium versus the feeling of walking into a cozy coffee shop. Scale, proportion, color, density, lighting, and planning all impact our mental and emotional state. We need to remember that not everyone will be excited, or without fear, in returning to the office.
Designing quiet corners, private focus rooms, and areas of respite that reduce outside stimuli will be of critical importance in easing that transition back to work. These spaces should reduce ambient noise, provide a calmer light level, and use natural material palettes to signify it is ok to breathe, focus, and relax in these spaces. As well, providing a variety of furnishings to support different postures and workstyles will support the effort to meet a wider variety of people’s needs. Encouraging teams to come back at their own pace and communicating with them the changes in protocols and the physical space will re-establish trust and mitigate fear.