The pandemic of 2020 paved the way for the new norm of remote working. While the concept of remote work wasn’t exactly brand new, the need for social distancing during the time significantly popularised the remote work culture. What started as a highly convenient mode of working for many soon turned into a breeding ground for another dangerous epidemic; loneliness. Here we explore how the thoughtful concept helps combat loneliness among remote workers.
Studies suggest that loneliness is a serious health concern that can potentially impact event your lifespan. Social isolation is in fact, known to increase the risk of premature death by almost 26%. Obesity, increased risk of depression, and dementia are some other possible issues that can arise solely out of loneliness.
Suffice it to say that remote work, while it offers the amazing benefits of convenience and increased productivity, does not equally benefit all. A significant share of the workforce, especially in India, is at risk of facing remote work isolation concerns.
Fortunately, we have a foolproof remedy for the problem: coworking spaces!
Coworking spaces, as the name suggests are collaborative working environments where people working with different companies in different industries and niches come together and share a single “office.
The first ever coworking space was introduced way back in the 2000s when independent freelancers and web entrepreneurs needed an alternative to coffee shops or privately owned business offices.
Today, coworking is a global phenomenon used by many companies worldwide, including in India. The concept rose in popularity further when the remote work culture gained momentum, making it a preferred method for many companies including large and well-known enterprises.
In terms of the physical space, a typical coworking environment is characterized by shared infrastructural amenities, services, and tools, including network connectivity. Many modern-day spaces offer much more advanced features such as stationery, print shops, copy shops, and a cafeteria.
Coworking spaces are designed to offer enriched opportunities for meaningful interactions and building a sense of community. These benefits are proven to provide significant relief from feelings of isolation and loneliness.
Coworking spaces allow you to work side-by-side with like-minded professionals. In turn, it leads to organic interactions that enrich your work culture, while also helping you develop a reliable professional network.
As we learned in Maslow’s theory, a sense of belonging to a community or a peer group can do wonders for your mental health. Thoughtfully created coworking spaces offer just that. By engaging consistently with a like-minded group of professionals, you get to be a part of a group with shared social interests and preferences. Advanced coworking spaces also offer interesting ways to improve social connections such as through workshops and group activities as well, making your work environment a much more pleasant space.
According to a survey conducted by Emergent Research, almost 89% of employees reported to have felt happier since joining a coworking space. 83% said they felt less lonely as well.
Freelancing professionals often fall into the rut of working throughout the day with no defined “business hours.” Many a time, this is one of the main reasons why professionals feel imbalances in mental health. Coworking spaces offer a solid solution to this problem, creating routine and structure for work. By acting as your office, they allow you to mark off a fixed number of hours for work, thereby freeing up more time for social life and self-care.
Additionally, well-designed coworking spaces in Ahmedabad also offer useful amenities and features to form organised work schedules like noticeboards, stationery, and more. Being a mixed community of professionals, they also break the monotony of working from a regular office or home, making the experience much more pleasant for you.
Along with offering several social benefits, coworking spaces also significantly help workers achieve professional growth.
In addition to these, many thoughtfully designed coworking spaces in Ahmedabad offer more wellness-centric features that promote well-rounded development.
Vibrant is a unique coworking space in Ahmedabad, created with thought and purpose. We offer refreshments including tea, coffee, and soup at a dedicated cafeteria, a gaming and relaxation area, and a fully functional gym with state-of-the-art equipment, all of which allow workers to make fitness and healthy recreation a part of their lifestyle. We also provide other business support services like technical aid, laptops on rent, event hosting facilities, and everything you need to generate virtual office income.
These features inherently create a healthy work environment where workers are not only saved from issues like loneliness but also get to be a part of an enriched community that induces professional growth.
Coworking spaces have evolved colossally since their advent in 2000. Modern-day workspaces not only come equipped with ample infrastructural amenities to serve a working professional’s needs but also offer added holistic wellness-oriented benefits that allow workers to combat mental health issues and grow professionally. By adopting a 360-degree approach to creating a healthy work environment, today’s coworking spaces effectively solve the problem of loneliness faced by independent working professionals. At Vibrant, we have a convenient 3-day trial facility, 8-hour working passes, as well flexible monthly plans to make adopting a coworking culture easy for you.
We encourage you to try it out and take your first step towards a healthy work lifestyle.