When you are asked about pollution, most people think about car pollutants, factories and things that are external. You may be surprised to know that things within our home contribute to polluted air inside too. Activities such as cooking, drying clothes, cleaning and lighting candles can contribute to less-than-ideal breathing air inside.
Simply being inside for the majority of your day can have a significant impact on your well-being and the largest part of being inside is in an office or workplace. According to the WHO, Europeans spend up to 90% of their day indoors! Workplaces can be stressful places, so it makes sense to create some areas that focus on well-being.
What are healthy indoor spaces?
Healthy indoor spaces are areas which encourage healthy living. It can be small things such as having natural lighting and access to fresh air by opening windows or harnessing the natural wonders of plants.
In an office, creating these spaces can also have a dual purpose as being great for mental health. Creating spaces that are sound-proofed and comfortable can really help employees either focus or detach from office life on a break.
The benefits of a healthy indoor space
Improving your cognitive function can only be a good thing – both in your personal life and in the workplace. By being in healthy indoor spaces where there is improved ventilation and less carbon dioxide, your cognitive function will improve.
Better ventilation and access to fresh air also result in a healthier workforce. Fresh air leads to better sleep habits which can help the body fight off any oncoming illnesses. It will also reduce the number of respiratory illnesses as fresh air is the best form of air.
By keeping your staff comfortable, their mental well-being will get a boost as well. Keeping the office at a reasonable temperature and a manageable noise level, people will feel more content and productivity will be higher.
How you can achieve a healthy indoor space
Achieving spaces that are considered healthy doesn’t need to be expensive or extensive. If you have an existing space that just needs a bit of a redesign, using plywood is a great way to change things up. Plywood is great for helping to reduce the noises both coming into and leaving a room as well as improving insulation which will help the space be more energy efficient.
Adding in ventilation is also key. If you have existing windows, maybe swap them out for ones with a ventilating function, especially if the room is higher up. If adding or amending windows isn’t possible, bring the outside in. Bringing greenery into an office space not only looks attractive but it is functional. Plants such as peace lilies, money plants and snake plants are known for their air-purifying properties.
