Discover what elements to add to your workplace to improve the health, well-being, and productivity of the equipment. 

Although no model office applies to all companies, there is a consensus on the importance of individual elements to ensure the well-being of employees: exercise and movement, access to light, clean air and healthy food. Integrating them all in the workplace improves the lives of employees not only when they are inside the office, but also outside the office.

Having a healthier and happier team improves productivity and innovation within the company. Here, five design solutions that help achieve this goal:

1. Offices that promote movement

It is already known that spending all day sitting is not good for health, but in most workplaces, interactions and tasks require staying in the same seat. The opposite end is also contrary, since spending long hours standing is not ideal. So the answer lies in the ability to change posture and generate movements every 20 minutes. If your office offers different spaces, such as areas for foot joints or modular elements that can be arranged in a variety of ways to promote movement, a more active environment is generated.

This is called "interactions with purpose," which must be linked to different moments, such as team meetings, more interactive projects or individual work moments. It also helps to have open and comfortable ladders, as well as areas that invite informal social interactions. Beyond the areas themselves, distributing the job functions and technology to drive the movement leads to a more energized and vibrant culture.
Also read: 10 Incredible Cool Facts & Benefits of Coworking Spaces

2. A building intended for employees

In the last decades, the design and construction community has focused on making workplaces more sustainable, which has a positive impact on health and well-being. One result of this is the International WELL Building Institute, which is at the forefront of new business practices that will reinvent physical spaces to make them better for the planet and people.

The leading companies in this movement are becoming familiar with the institute's latest construction standard, which identifies 102 performance metrics, design strategies, and procedures that can be implemented that are divided into air, water, nutrition, light, condition Physics, comfort, and mind.

3. Spaces to interact

Another way to address mental health is to create spaces that foster coexistence between collaborators and better support networks between them. Social areas such as cafes or even informal spaces for breaks help people relax but also generate interdisciplinary collaboration. But do not forget that respect for places of silence and tranquility is just as important. There, the distractions will be minimal, and those who need it will be able to focus on their tasks or simply get away from stress.
Also read: 7 Ways to Keep Your Employees Happy (and Working Hard)

4. "Healthy" work materials and tools

Objects selected to create physical environments have a great impact on health. It is important that leaders take this into account when choosing and planning renovations or new spaces. Companies that understand this make informed decisions that do not cause harm (or better yet, improve) the health of their employees.

5. Please... natural light!

Companies can not limit their concern for well-being to physical health; they must also deal with mental and emotional health. One of the design solutions to strengthen mental health in the workplace is to provide universal access to natural light. According to a Northwestern University study, those working in offices with more light sleep longer and sleep better, and have a better quality of life and physical activity than those with limited access to natural light.