Well-being: how to improve the work experience

72% of Brazilians active in the labor market suffer from stress

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In today’s business world, where competition is fierce and stress is constant, companies are looking for ways to improve the work experience for their employees.

The article “We are all exhausted” by Viva Saúde Magazine revealed that 72% of Brazilians active in the labor market suffer from stress and, of this total, 32% have burnout syndrome.

Brazil is the second country with the highest rate of cases of the syndrome. In 2019 it was included in the 11th Revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Incorporating wellness trends into the corporate environment is increasingly popular, prioritizing employee well-being and health. This approach not only improves the quality of life of employees, but also brings benefits to companies, such as increased productivity, reduced absenteeism and increased employee engagement.

Mental and emotional health

An emerging trend is attention to the mental and emotional health of employees. Workplace stress and pressure can have a significant impact on employee well-being, affecting their mental and emotional health.

An interesting study by the American Psychological Association (APA) reports that 63% of respondents to their survey have had their lives completely changed by Covid19, bringing several mental health problems back to the pandemic and an increase in bad habits that have had an impact on the performance of one’s work.

Not only has this high level of stress led to low effort and absence from work, but it is estimated that even before the pandemic, in 2017, the decline in productivity due to mental health problems generated a cost of $187 billion and that the pandemic has only contributed to worsening the situation.

Among the five points that help improve employee mental health, I highlight an important finding from the APA 2021 report, “APA’s 2021 Work and Well-being Survey”: 34% said that having a more flexible work schedule promotes a healthier life. Another figure complements the fact that 54% of remote workers would like to work hybrid.

That’s not to say that everyone prefers the hybrid model or just remote work. It means understanding how to build this more inclusive environment and providing options so they can choose the best way to be more productive.

To address these issues, companies are implementing emotional support programs such as counseling or therapy sessions, providing office relaxation spaces where employees can disconnect and recharge, and promoting awareness of the importance of mental health.

These actions help create a healthier and more welcoming work environment, where employees feel valued and supported.

Additionally, companies are adopting flexible working policies, recognizing that work-life balance is essential to employee well-being.

The implementation of flexible working hours, the offer of remote working or the possibility of sabbatical periods are measures that allow employees to have more autonomy and time to take care of themselves and their families.

This flexibility also contributes to stress reduction and increases employee satisfaction and loyalty to the company.

It is known, therefore, that the balance between work routine and personal life is very effective in eliminating hostile climates and promoting collective well-being.

How can companies manage the health of workspaces to become friendlier and foster interaction of their teams, while needing to be flexible and enable hybrid ways of working?

Wellness trends in the corporate sector

It is increasingly clear that the word well-being will be part of the values ​​of a company that wants to recruit the best professionals and keep its employees engaged. After all, many tend to stay in companies that prioritize people’s well-being.

These are companies sensitive to capturing the right doses of individuality and community, as well as making the work environment more flexible inside or outside the company.

Environments with more inclusive layouts

They are diversified and flexible environments which, in addition to having ergonomic furnishings and being open where everyone interacts, have different layouts where each person feels more at ease and adapts better. The idea is that every employee feels that these spaces are customized to their needs.

3 interesting points when we think of more versatile furnishings and environments:

• • Break the monotony between spaces,
• • Adaptable and comfortable furniture for everyone (environmental and ergonomic),
• • Promotes interaction between employees and productivity for those who need more private spaces.

Actions that promote inclusion, equity and diversity

The APA study also reveals that companies that invest in effective actions with inclusion, equity and diversity policies are able to improve the organizational climate of the work environment and, consequently, their own performance.

That is, by giving employees a voice and openness to showcase their innovative ideas, these companies are able to be more productive at up to $1,590/employee per year.

Equal participation, both in terms of skills and socio-economic factor, can help the company to thrive, as long as it encourages its employees to express themselves freely and provides resources to develop their skills.

Benefits for quality of life: spaces for breaks

Companies already recognize the importance of breaks to relieve stress and improve productivity, but they also know they need to pay more attention to their employees’ physical and mental health issues. For this, they provide entertainment and fitness areas.

In the survey, 64% of employees said their priorities when taking a job are payments and benefits, such as health insurance and retirement. However, 61% prioritize professional and personal balance. In addition to support and attention to mental health within the workplace, not only with a package of services that solve your problems, but also with training that guides managers and employees to seek this quality of life.

It is useless to think only of decompression areas, with game rooms, gyms and relaxation rooms, if the healthiness of the work environment is not a priority.

Biophilia: green area

Fostering contact with nature is one way to improve the air in the workplace.

Spaces with vegetation, window and door openings that allow ventilation and natural light to enter, favor the balance of environmental comfort by filtering the internal air, dampening noise and maintaining a pleasant temperature.

After all, we spend 90% of our time indoors, which can hurt our health far more, being 4 to 5 times worse than outdoor pollution, as shown in the Archdaily article “Neurodiversity and Biophilia: The Future of the Workspace in the Post-Pandemic Era.”

Biophilia is responsible for filtering the air and can improve employee cognition by 61%.

The role of green areas and green spaces can be much more beneficial than we imagine, being able to increase productivity by 15%, as well as improvements in a more sanitized environment.

Wouldn’t sustainability be a good investment for the corporate world?

Corporate sector trends

Wellness trends in the corporate sector are gaining momentum as companies recognize the importance of prioritizing employee well-being.

By investing in programs and initiatives that promote physical, mental and emotional health, as well as work flexibility and the use of innovative technologies, companies are creating a healthier and more rewarding work environment.

Initiatives like these not only improve the quality of life of employees, but also bring benefits to companies, such as increased productivity, employee engagement and satisfaction.

Architecture plays an important role in creating and building environments that promote employee well-being. The physical environment is important, but achieving this well-being cannot be limited to the physical infrastructure of the office.

Therefore, it is essential that companies are aware of these trends and adopt practices that promote employee well-being, seeking to create a healthier, more welcoming and balanced work environment.

Glaucia Ito is an architect and founder ofMaki architecture , based in Londrina-PR. Develop architectural projects for interior renovations and residential and commercial construction. Its positioning is based on Environments that welcome, naming its news bulletin

where he publishes his articles on sustainability, accessibility, well-being, quality of life, among others.

Source: Terra

Ben

Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.