Mental health in the workplace: The importance of ‘people’ and how shared offices can help

Mental health has been thrust into the spotlight more and more in recent years – even more so since the coronavirus pandemic started to change our lives at the start of 2020.

When it comes to the impact of mental health in the workplace, the statistics tell their own story.

As many as one in six of us are struggling with our mental health at work and not only does this have a massive effect on those people, it can also be hugely detrimental to business productivity, growth and turnover.

But if you’re a small business, there are positive steps you can take to protect your own mental health and that of the other people who make your business tick…

People need ‘people’

While the wrong kind of people and a negative atmosphere in the workplace can have a terrible impact on mental health, a positive, creative and inspirational workplace can help ease any feelings of stress and anxiety.It’s about encouragement, too, and encouragement can only come from other people.

With so many more people continuing to work from home since the first nationwide Covid-19 lockdown was lifted, the only human interaction some workers have is on the daily Zoom meeting with colleagues.

The effect on small businesses

For small businesses, coronavirus has been a testing time to say the least.

Not only in terms of financials, but also maintaining the mental health of their people.

Going from working as part of a close-knit team to working from home can be a tough change to make.

But it doesn’t have to be.

Serviced offices and working alongside other businesses can be a great way to inject that much-needed dose of human interaction.

Building up relationships and networking with other, like-minded companies can not only help your own business grow but can also aid your growth as a person through the friendships and connections you make.

It’s good to talk…

That’s how the old adage goes – and it really is true.‘

A problem shared is a problem halved’ is another saying that carries just as much weight and small businesses often lack other people to bounce ideas off or ask for advice.

By building those relationships through working in a shared office environment, you’ll have great people to go to when you need them, which can help reduce stress and keep you productive.

Goodbye procrastination

Speaking of productivity, what distracts you most when working from home?

The television?

Your phone?

The tasty morsels in your fridge that are just crying out to be eaten?

It’s very easy to procrastinate and find reasons not to work when you’re working from home.

Being in an office space with other people, though, gets you into that work mindset, boosting productivity and giving you a far better chance of leaving your work worries and stresses at the door when you leave for the day.

Better work and life balance

If your office is only a few feet from your living room, or, worse still, you’re working from your living room, it can be very easy to fall into the trap of working long hours or sacrificing the structure of a working day.

Being able to switch off is hugely important for mental health and the difference between leaving an actual office and going home for the day compared with simply closing your laptop when working at home, is huge.

Having a structured day, like arriving at your shared office or co-working space at 9.30am and leaving at 5.30pm to go home, can really help stop the working day and the relaxing evening from blending into one.

Take a look around…

If you’re looking to add that inspiration, balance and human interaction to your working life, we can help at Bourne Space.

Our serviced offices are right in the heart of Bournemouth – meaning fresh air, a burgeoning creative scene and a whole host of great businesses and freelancers to build brilliant relationships with.

We’d love to show you around, so drop us a line and we’ll be in touch.