The Importance of Mental Health and Happiness in Flexible Workspaces
In the past five years, flexible work policies, hybrid jobs, and remote working have continued to increase. With the line between work and home becoming blurred it’s had a significant impact on mental health.
The advantage of remote working can also be its biggest disadvantage. While some employees say that they feel happier and more productive when they’re working from home, others say that they feel disconnected and lonely. A lack of social interaction, routine, and diverse environments can all have a negative impact on wellbeing.
That’s where coworking comes in.
Coworking is one of the best solutions for combating loneliness and boosting wellbeing at work, with spaces designed for connection, collaboration, and productivity. At The Workplace, community is at the centre of this.
A thriving community: You work amongst like-minded individuals, so lunch and coffee breaks guarantee interesting chats. Regular socials also offer networking opportunities with people outside of your own industry.
A work-life balance: Whether you’re an early bird or night owl, flexible hours and dedicated workspaces allow you to switch off when you’re at home.
Options for solo and social working: You have the choice of focused, independent work in our coworking spaces and the choice to engage with work friends or colleagues in our breakout spaces and meeting rooms.
Whether you’re looking to switch workspaces or switch off at the end of the workday, there are plenty of benefits to choosing a coworking space.
Physical Space
A coworking space is the modern alternative to stuffy offices – no more cramped cubicles, bad coffee, or long commutes. Instead, most spaces are open-plan and airy, with comfortable desks and breakout spaces. Most flexible workspaces are incorporating sustainable and biophilic design, which has a marked positive impact on mental health – and of course they make the space look amazing!
Coworking spaces are also conveniently located in proximity to shops, gyms, and restaurants nearby, and excellent public transport links. The Workplace has two locations in central Cheltenham, so you won’t be short of places to go on your break.
Community
A fantastic community is the heart of a good coworking space. With such an array of people, you get to socialise and network with professionals from a wide range of trades who share a common goal of working productively and happily – this creates a sense of belonging and purpose regardless of who you work for! At The Workplace we see members from totally different industries sparking connections across businesses, lifestyles, and hobbies.
Socials and Events
Most coworking spaces will engage with their community through socials, events, and friendly chats. Here at The Workplace, we also host regular monthly socials – either at the pub or up Cheltenham’s surrounding hills – as well as weekly lunches with boardgames.
Work-life Balance
One size no longer fits all as more people are looking for hybrid work solutions in order to save on costs, cut down commute time, etc. Flexibility is one of the foundations of coworking – with 24-hour access and a range of cost-effective plans, you can build your own working week.
A coworking space also offers a clear boundary between work and home, so every day becomes intentional – you can dedicate more time and energy to deep work at your desk, and then offer your family and friends quality time when you leave the ‘office’.
Productivity
“Must do laundry, walk the dog, pick up groceries…”
These are just some of the thoughts we have when working from home. Whilst it offers more flexibility, remote working can also offer more distractions. Flexible workspaces boost motivation and help to create a routine that works for you. Whenever you need a quiet, dedicated workspace for planning strategies or responding to client enquiries, a coworking space is the answer.
If you need further support with regards to your mental health, here are some links to mental health organisations:
Mind.org – a UK-wide organisation that supports people in their recovery through speaking about mental health and connecting local communities across the country.
Calm Zone – a charitable organisation that seeks to prevent suicide through providing helpful resources and a free, 7-days-per-week helpline.