We hear a lot about returning to the office, which, after the last few years, has brought the wellbeing conversation to the forefront of the workplace. So how do we best accommodate individual needs in a collective space? There’s no one thing that creates a healthy workspace; it’s a culmination of elements like ergonomics, biophilia, wellbeing, acoustics and materials, and under those umbrellas, there is a plethora of frameworks and ideas to bring to your space.

There are plenty of studies, like this one from Bupa, showing positive outcomes when workplace wellbeing is taken seriously. So here are 3 ways you can start activating a healthy workplace environment whatever space you work in.

A good place to start is by opening the lines of communication and talking with your team. Embrace diverse thinking by listening to their opinions on what a healthy workplace environment means to them, so you can make informed decisions and help bring value into their workspace. If you’re offering services outside of work, remember that wellbeing has different meanings to each individual, so providing the same practice to everyone won’t be inclusive until you’ve first identified their unique personal needs.

• There’s plenty of choice with technology providing wellbeing services (like meditation, yoga and so on), which is accessible when and where your team members need it
• Booths and pods like these Breathing Pods from Office Reality provide quiet, private and sensory spaces to accommodate different ways of working, relaxing or recharging throughout the day
• Creating flexible working conditions has a trickle down effect on personal lives. Everyone has a life outside of work and forging relationships through trust and flexibility is so important in increasing productivity and health

Biophilia isn’t popping a few plastic plants around your office waiting for them to collect dust. It’s an all encompassing connection with nature, colours, materials, water and sounds. By bringing the outdoors in you can activate a healthy workplace environment and improve mental health, air quality, reduce stress, create feelings of calm and increase happiness.

What is it? Good posture, fancy chair, a sit-stand desk? It can be all of those things but best described as how people and their environment fit together with the ultimate goal of removing discomfort and injury. Ergonomics looks different for every person, so creating the right fit for individuals is crucial to an ever evolving healthy workplace environment.

• Furniture is definitely not a one size fits all and personal circumstances need to be heeded as people have different physical needs. Flokk have a beautiful range of ergonomic chairs and stools whilst others in your team may need something like an ergo ball
• There’s an app for that! Apps that create and track goals, monitoring movement and position can be useful in utilising data to help people lead healthier lives
• Standing desks, sit-stand desks and height adjustable desks; whatever you call it, desks that move contribute towards a healthy workplace environment. Although we would say it, it’s backed by science and being in the one position for prolonged periods of time is bad for both your physical and mental health. We are all about creating movement in your day and putting sedentary desk work in the bin!
• Foot rockers, wrist rests, ergonomic mice, keyboards, standing mats; there’s an accessory for most parts of your body, but just remember it’s based on individual needs