Beating the January Blues: Why Returning to the Workplace Can Boost Your Productivity and Mood

The January blues can be a real phenomenon for some. After the festive cheer subsides, some people experience a dip in mood, a lack of motivation and a general feeling of lethargy. In more recent years it has been recognised that the 3rd Monday in January, also known as “Blue Monday” is when these feelings can hit the hardest.

This effect can impact productivity in the workplace, especially considering the shift towards remote and hybrid working since the pandemic. While remote and hybrid working offers flexibility, it can also lead to feelings of isolation, particularly during the darker winter months. This is where returning to the office and engaging with colleagues and clients face-to-face  can offer a welcome antidote to the January blues, especially when your office is designed to foster community, collaboration, productivity and wellbeing.

Social Connection and Collaboration:

Human beings are inherently social creatures, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that social interaction is crucial for our mental wellbeing, helping combat feelings of loneliness and isolation. The office environment provides a vital platform for social interaction with colleagues and clients, where in-person interactions foster stronger teamwork, facilitating  more effective communication and collaboration sessions, and further cultivating  a stronger sense of community and business culture.

Improved Focus and Productivity:

The home can be a distracting place to work – with household chores, other family members and various social media channels all vying for attention. A well-designed workplace, however, can minimise these distractions, providing environments specifically tailored for a range of work-related activities. Dedicated spaces can be provided to support different activities, for example quiet zones for individual work, collaborative areas for team meetings, and comfortable breakout spaces for informal discussions, all contributing to increased productivity, empowerment and more efficient workflows.

The Squaredot designed CBRE IM offices are an excellent example of this, and have become a place that employees are excited to come to work at everyday. This is thanks to a significantly decreased desk density, numerous collaborative areas and strategically placed lounges and relaxation space. 

Enhanced Creativity and Innovation:

The free flow of ideas that often occurs naturally in a shared physical space can significantly boost creativity and innovation. In-person meetings allow for spontaneous discussions, non-verbal cues and a more dynamic exchange of thoughts. Moreover, the design of the office space itself can play a significant role in stimulating creativity. The use of vibrant colours, biophilic elements and flexible layouts can all create an inspiring and stimulating environment.

Physical and Mental Wellbeing:

Returning to the office, even in a hybrid capacity, can encourage a less sedentary lifestyle. Walking to and from work, taking the stairs instead of the lift and moving around the office to different dedicated areas throughout the day can all contribute to increased physical activity. Furthermore, spending time outdoors, even during a short commute, has numerous mental health benefits. Incorporating biophilic elements into the office design, such as live plants and natural light, texture and pattern, can also significantly improve employee mood and overall well-being.

When approached to design a motivational HQ where communication could flow and employees could feel happy and healthy for Think Money, Squaredot knew it was vital to include areas dedicated to exercise and leisure activities. It was pivotal that healthy living was promoted across the new campus, through nutritional catering options and exercise facilities, so the design included a dedicated 1km running track around the campus, a gymnasium with capacity for 60 people, and fully serviced all day restaurant seating 250 people.

Designing an Uplifting Office Space with Squaredot

At Squaredot, we understand the crucial role that the workplace plays in employee wellbeing and productivity. Our expertise lies in creating inspiring and functional workspaces that foster collaboration, creativity, positivity and empowerment. 

We believe in designing space that prioritises employee wellbeing as well as productivity and empowerment, championing elements such as:

• Abundant natural light: Flooding workspace with natural light within core work areas works towards improving mood, enhancing focus and even benefits Circadian rhythms.
• Ergonomic and anatomically supportive furniture: Ensuring employees have access to comfortable and supportive work settings which promote good posture while also reducing discomfort and fatigue.
• Collaborative workspaces: Dedicated but flexible areas for team meetings, brainstorming sessions and informal discussions encourages and supports interaction and collaboration.
• Breakout areas: Providing comfortable and inviting spaces for relaxation and informal socialising allows employees to recharge and relax at intervals throughout the workday.

The workplace should be a stimulating, mood and productivity boosting environment, especially during the challenging winter months. By prioritising employee wellbeing and creating thoughtfully designed and inspiring workspace, companies can combat the January blues and foster a more engaged and productive workforce, fit for every season.

Contact Squaredot to discuss how we can help you design a workspace that makes your employees and clients excited about returning to your office and avoid the blues next Blue Monday.