Is Your Office Environment Helping or Hurting Productivity
An office environment, much like any workplace, is important to get right in regard to its appearance and functionality.
Did you know that the office environment you have might actually be influencing how productive or unproductive your workforce is?
In this guide, we’ll look at the hidden impacts of workplace design on performance and how you can improve your workplace surroundings for productivity this year.
The hidden impact of workplace design on performance
Workplace design certainly has a significant impact on the performance of employees. Not only does the work environment affect their focus, but it can also influence their mood, which in turn affects their mental well-being.
That’s why it’s important to focus on incorporating more natural light into the space, or designating spaces for both collaborative zones and private hubs for those who need to work alone for a while.
With a well-designed, human-centred workplace, productivity can be greatly improved.
How comfort and hydration affect focus
There are two contributors to a lack of focus and productivity: comfort and hydration. Here’s how focus is affected when the workplace and employees are lacking both.
- Brain function - The brain requires water in order to maintain fluid balance, as well as efficient nerve cell communication.
- Neurotransmitter activity- Water helps provide the support of production and exchange in neurotransmitters, which are crucial when sending signals between brain cells.
- Mood regulation - Staying hydrated helps to stabilize mood by supporting the balance of hormones, which reduce anxiety.
- Energy levels - With enough hydration in the body, it can help prevent irritability and fatigue.
And what about comfort? How does that impact productivity and focus in the workplace? The physical feeling of your employees can often have a big influence on how well they perform in the office.
- Reduced stress - With comfortable environments, such as appropriate thermal conditions and reduced feelings of discomfort, it can help reduce stress levels greatly.
- Improves mood - Mood is often improved when it comes to a positive and comfortable office environment.
- Fewer distractions - When your physical environment is more comfortable, your brain focuses on the tasks in hand, rather than the feelings of discomfort your body feels.
Making sure that you’ve got plenty of water dispensers available to hydrate your staff and that the environment you create is physically comfortable all helps to improve focus.
Simple steps to create a healthier office culture
There are simple steps that help to create a healthier office culture for your workforce in general. Focus on improving employee well-being by offering regular mental health support. Make sure to perfect the work-life balance and empower employees with the opportunity for growth in their roles and within the business in general.
Fostering positive working relationships is also a great way of improving the office environment, as well as helping build trust and a sense of belonging within the workplace.
If your office environment isn’t the best it can be, then it might be time to help your productivity levels by improving the space.
Image Source: Unsplash
