One increasingly popular solution is acoustic pods, which can improve the comfort and psychological wellbeing of employees.

What is the impact of the work environment on workers' mental health?

With a growing awareness of mental health, researchers have increased their efforts to understand how the work environment affects employees' mental wellbeing. Available scientific research confirms that workplace conditions have a direct impact on stress levels, the onset of depressive symptoms and the overall health of employees. Extended exposure to stressors, excessive workloads and a lack of proper conditions for task completion lead to emotional exhaustion and, consequently, burnout.

Burnout is a serious threat to the mental health of workers worldwide. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), burnout manifests as a lack of energy, exhaustion, cynical attitude to one's work and leads to reduced engagement in one's responsibilities [1].

The office makes a difference for the hybrid work world to combat burnout

With the growing popularity of the hybrid work model, offices are beginning to play a very important role in preventing burnout in the workplace. The flexibility that remote work ensures often leads to blurred boundaries between work and private life. This is why the office, as a physical space, becomes the key factor in protecting the mental health of employees by offering a clear separation between the two areas of life.

The dynamic office environment makes it easy to switch between different work modes. Depending on individual needs, employees can use either the hushFree.S acoustic pod to focus on work that requires a high level of focus or sit at the hushSpot coworking table. Also of note, contemporary offices have evolved well beyond the conventional concept of a nine-to-five workplace. The office spaces are now specially designed to promote staff wellbeing.

Credits: Supplied Image; Author: Client;

Beware of the noisy open space causing sensory overload!

It is not only solitary home office work that can lead to burnout. A lot of stimuli and noise pervade the open-plan office, which makes it difficult to focus and causes sensory overload. A noisy, busy office makes it difficult to concentrate and, moreover, negatively affects employees' sense of privacy. Without separate areas for individual work, video calls, teamwork and also relaxation, the prevailing chaos leaves people feeling exhausted, distracted and upset. Both work comfort and efficiency suffer.

Acoustic pods: a healing oasis of calm and control

Hushoffice one- and multi-person pods help to create a working environment that reduces the risk of burnout. These innovative solutions effectively demarcate quiet zones so as to eliminate excess irrelevant data and allow employees to focus and process information effectively . They can also significantly reduce stress levels resulting from the disruption and chaos of open office spaces.

They provide hushed work spaces

Acoustic pods effectively isolate the office noise generated by phone calls, typing on keyboards and printer noise. They also block interfering random chats and other noise that can disturb your attention and reduce cognitive performance. Office work and meet pods work well not only for calming the senses, but also as spaces for deeper focus and well-controlled workflow.

They offer privacy for confidential conversations

In a hybrid world, privacy pods can make the office a place where people are more eager to stay. Acoustic pods effectively block out ambient noise and allow the free exchange of information without fear of important business data being overheard by unauthorised people. The A rated acoustic pods, as per ISO 23351-1:2020, isolate maximum outside noise. This translates into better focus and efficiency during conversations. Installing hushFree.M pods in an open-plan office eliminates the stress of missing privacy when discussing sensitive topics.

Credits: Supplied Image; Author: Client;

Spaces for regeneration

Acoustic pods in the office are not just spaces for focused work or confidential conversations. They are more and more often used as spaces for taking a short break and regenerate during the day. A few minutes of silent meditation can do wonders for a stressed mind. Cosy upholstered furniture, relaxing music during a break from the hustle and bustle of open space – a recipe for blissful relaxation. What is more, changing environment and taking a break helps come up with new ideas.

However, booths alone will not solve the problem of burnout. Employers need to implement comprehensive measures, including training, psychological support, flexible working hours and clear job description. Office booths can only complement these to helping in reducing some of the stressors associated with noise and lack of privacy in the office.

[1] https://www.who.int/news/item/28-05-2019-burn-out-an-occupational-phenomenon-international-classification-of-diseases