- Workplaces that don’t have quiet spaces can cause overstimulation and contribute to burnout.
- Increasingly, manufacturers and designers are adding versatile meditative spaces to their floor plans.
- A quiet or reflective space can take many forms, depending on the nature of the workplace and the culture of the organization.
To create a balanced and sustainable workplace in the future, it is important to find ways to replace the current burnout culture with something that promotes equality.
Because let’s face it, you don’t have to look far to see evidence of smoking in the workplace.
Look again Eagle Hill Consulting, for example, reveals by 46% of US workers say they are out of work; 52% of respondents chose work as the main cause of burnout, while 44% pointed to the lack of workers.
Although this research shows the effect of the work problem Regarding the well-being of employees, there is a growing awareness that increased stress in the workplace affects people’s stress and the ability to work effectively.
Allwork.Space spoke with five workplace designers and health experts to find out how quiet meditation spaces in offices can promote wellness and lifestyle management.
There’s no place like home
“After COVID, people are coming back from quiet places and are faced with very intense work environments, which can cause overstimulation and stress,” said Elma Milanovic, Managing Associate at FitzGerald. .
Those with a finger on the pulse of workplace planning and health know the employees well. time off from their work schedules delete and re-enter.
Previously, the office kitchen or bathroom might have been the only oasis of calm in an otherwise busy workplace. Currently, designers and manufacturers dedicate a large part of their floor space to creative spaces.
“In order to consider the importance of the mental and physical health of employees in an organization, an office should be equipped with easy places for employees to focus on their health and well-being,” explained Lauren Gardner, Director of Creative and Strategy at Spectorgroup.
Gardner believes that health should be considered when designing offices, and that it is a profitable business for organizations looking to reduce absenteeism and stress while increasing productivity and with joy.
“A workplace with a place for employees to relax can foster a strong corporate culture and increase employee satisfaction,” he said.
The importance of privacy
Research published in 2014 by Ipsos and the The next business team at Steelcase showing the importance of privacy for those who work in it.
After surveying 10,500 employees in Europe, North America and Asia, Ipsos and Steelcase found that 85% of participants were dissatisfied with their workplace and found it difficult to concentrate.
It is important to note that ten years have passed since this study was conducted. However, many findings continue to add interest and insight to discussions about the future of work and workplace design.
For example, the study found that people often evaluate these four personal factors to determine if a place meets their needs:
- Acoustic privacy — is it possible for a person to be in space without being disturbed by sound, or sound without disturbing others?
- Personal information – can the person be seen by others and does the space contain distractions?
- Personal territory — can humans claim and control space as they see fit?
- Personal information — can the atmosphere facilitate information and communication?
How to build peace in the midst of chaos
When it comes to the design details of today’s quiet spaces, there is no one-size-fits-all, explains Cara Sutton, Junior Interior Designer at Bockus Payne.
“A quiet or reflective space can take many forms depending on the nature of the workplace and the culture of the organization. A quiet space can be used to take personal calls, or to leave room noise alone. Design can include soothing colors, quiet seating, and ambient lighting,” says Sutton. “A meditation space – sometimes called a ‘zen’ space – can be used for breathing, yoga, meditation, prayer, or meditation.”
According to Sutton, this style of design can include warm colors and natural materials, a sofa and/or floor for a yoga mat and floor pillows, ambient lighting, and a sound system that can used for musical relaxation or guided meditation.
The ability to create quiet spaces is key. Other important design elements include acoustic isolation or zoning, sound deadening systems and adjustable lighting, all of which are features that help create a sense of space. calmness and separation from the high-level mode.
“Regardless of the ways employees use the spaces, they provide opportunities for quiet reflection throughout the day and can have an impact on happiness, productivity, and retention,” said Angelina Deaconeasa, Managing Director at Ted Moudis Associates. “Studies show five minutes of quiet time can improve mood, breathing and stress throughout the day.”
A place of silence and meditation seems almost impossible to discourage; in other words, it should facilitate information privacy. Downtime is about creating situations where the mind needs to wander. So less is more, says Kristen Larkin, Principal at FitzGerald.
“Interestingly, mediation or quiet areas are best when they are easy to do. This is what allows the room to be multifunctional and handle different types of work. help people relax. We’re thinking about how these spaces can support people looking to sleep, recover from a headache, practice yoga, pray, or meditate – whatever something that will help them better fill their internal resources,” Larkin said.
Larkin said he has been looking into connecting smaller screens to facilitate digital therapy sessions.
“In our office, we have a quiet room / mother’s room, which is a good thing to cover because nursing mothers often want to stay in a similar feeling, separated from the work activities,” i he finished.
