Beyond the Beige: Tips for Creating Healthy Work Environments

For decades, the office has stood as a steady—if sterile—symbol of productivity. Neutral colors, fluorescent lights, and (everyone’s favorite) cubicles have long been considered the optimum environment for distraction-free focus. Stay at your desk as much as possible, the message has been. Maybe get up to grab something quick for lunch, and then get back to work.

But these days, we know better. We’ve learned a lot about the unhealthy impacts of sedentary lifestyles, poor air quality, and fast food on our health, and HR and office managers have applied that understanding to the workplace. Today, the best offices actively promote wellbeing. And the benefits extend beyond the personal: Happy, healthy employees are also more likely to be productive.

So how do you do it—how do you go beyond the beige and start creating healthy work environments?

Think First, Then Design

The first step is maintaining an active, conscientious perspective about your design. 

“No matter what, the spaces we occupy impact our health,” Sara Karerat, managing director of the Center for Active Design (CfAD),  told The FruitGuys. “It’s something that happens even if it’s not being thought of in an intentional way. Not thinking about it could have a negative effect.”

CfAD is a nonprofit organization that advises on building designs and public infrastructure projects, aiming to use design to “foster healthy and engaged communities.”

Let the Light In

Karerat said that when you’re ready to start creating a healthy work environment, the first thing to consider is access to light. 

“If you have a space that has no windows or access to daylight, that has a proven association with headache, eyestrain, sleepiness, and fatigue,” she said. 

If you’re designing a space from scratch, you can incorporate large windows and skylights into your design to maximize exposure to natural light. If you’re a tenant, try simply moving desks or workspaces closer to existing windows and skylights; replacing old, clunky blinds with ones that allow in more light; or even placing an inexpensive light therapy lamp in the break room.

Care About Air

Air is another elemental component of healthy office design. 

“Sick building syndrome was a term that came out in the ’90s, when the real focus was only on energy efficiency—how do we create airtight buildings,” Karerat explained. “With that singular focus, the impact it was having on people wasn’t being considered. The indoor air quality was really poor. We were seeing an increase in chronic conditions and discomfort.”

While it can be expensive, upgrading to an advanced HVAC system with efficient filtration and ventilation ensures a consistent flow of fresh, clean air. You can also invest in air quality monitoring systems for real-time data, and adjust the airflow in the office proactively to keep your team healthy and comfortable.  

Finally, feel free to get creative with plant decor. Strategically placed indoor plants enhance air quality and create a calming ambiance. Studies have shown that biophilic design, which integrates natural elements into the built environment, reduces stress and improves cognitive function.  

Move It

Movement-focused design is another critical component of a healthy workspace. Standing or treadmill desks, designated walking paths, and centrally located staircases can all promote physical activity throughout the workday. Strategically placing the break room away from workstations can also encourage walking and social interaction.  

The latter is an often-overlooked element of a wellness-oriented workspace, said Karerat. 

“Social interaction is one area we’re seeing that’s increasingly important for mental health,” she noted. “Make sure spaces promote interaction—people are craving that, and it can help people feel better with people returning to office spaces. Designate one space for social interaction and organize the office to encourage it.”

Walking meetings and/or scheduled team movement breaks are a great way to combine movement and social interaction and work for any budget.

Allow for Quiet

On the flip side, creating dedicated spaces for solo relaxation and mindfulness is equally important. Quiet rooms or meditation zones provide a sanctuary for employees to de-stress and recharge. Try equipping these spaces with comfortable seating, calming music, and soft lighting to foster a sense of tranquility.  

In general, Karerat says, offering a variety of workspaces, from quiet focus rooms to collaborative hubs, caters to diverse work styles.

Feed Creativity

Providing a well-equipped kitchen or break room can also boost wellbeing by encouraging healthy eating habits at work (no more fast food desk lunches!). Karerat noted that “offering fresh fruits and vegetables is easy and effective.” 

Try the “nudging” approach, in which you steer folks toward healthier choices with a combination of unit bias, portion control, and access to healthy choices, in your setup.  Make sure your team has easy access to filtered water to stay hydrated, too. Hydration options range from extremely budget-friendly (such as a filter pitcher), to premium (think a countertop beverage cooler, refrigerator with internal water filter, etc.)

Set An Example

In addition to the physical and technological aspects, fostering a culture of wellness is essential to creating healthy work environments. Leadership can help promote healthy habits by modeling positive behaviors and encouraging employees to prioritize their wellbeing. “Programming health- or fitness-oriented programs to optimize those times of social interaction” is important, Kareat says. Lunchtime yoga classes, mindfulness workshops, and health screenings are inexpensive ways to show a commitment to employee health.

A Final Note on Creating Healthy Work Environments

As you start choosing plants, buying break room bananas, and moving desks around, remember: Creating healthy work environments is an important investment that requires a holistic approach. By prioritizing employee wellbeing, you can create a thriving workplace that benefits both your coworkers and your company.