A recently released survey commissioned by the American Psychological Association found that six in 10 U.S. adults consider work to be a very or somewhat significant source of stress in their life. And for entrepreneurs, who often find themselves working longer hours for less pay, anxiety levels can be even higher, taking a toll on their business and, more importantly, their health.
While a person’s work environment can have negative effects on their mental and physical well-being – open-plan offices have been criticized for facilitating the spread of workplace illnesses – some offices also come with special services and amenities designed to help workers lead happier, healthier, and more productive lives. And it’s not just employees of Fortune 500 companies who have access to them. Thanks to the growing popularity of coworking spaces and other alternative office environments, these health-related perks have become accessible to freelancers and other self-employed individuals, including those who previously worked from home because they could not afford to lease a space of their own.
When conducting an office search, whether it be for a shared or standalone space, tenants should look for office providers that offer one or more of the following:
- On-site gyms: Many office buildings, including’s Amata’s original location at 225 W. Washington, have gyms that are available to tenants free of charge. In addition to saving money on a gym membership, workers can streamline their schedules by hitting the gym immediately before or after work without having to make a special trip. No on-site fitness center? No problem. A number of office buildings have partnerships with neighboring businesses – for example, full-service gyms and hotels with health clubs – that offer special discounts to tenants.
- Bike sharing/storage: The number of people who bike to work has increased by more than 60 percent since 2000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. To support this active lifestyle, a number of office buildings offer secure rooms where workers can store their bicycles during the workday. Bike-sharing programs have also become popular in cities like New York and Chicago, so workers who do not own a bike or have a place to store one may want to keep the location of bike-sharing stations in mind when searching for office space.
- Health programming: Workers who frequently experience the “afternoon crash” may benefit from lunchtime yoga or Pilates, which have become an increasingly popular offering in the corporate world. Whether they take place in a conference room, lounge or private office, these informal gatherings are viewed as a way to boost productivity and achieve a better work-life balance. Some employers and shared office providers (including Amata) also offer the occasional free chair massage to keep employees motivated. For a more active wellness program, workers can look into office running clubs and other social groups that can make it easier to get – or stay – in shape.
- Support services: It’s impossible for workers to be available all day every day, so the support services offered by shared office providers like Amata can be a valuable tool for “solopreneurs” and other self-employed professionals who do not have staff to answer calls, receive packages and handle other administrative functions while they’re away or unavailable. In addition to assisting with the day-to-day operations of a business, these support services also help alleviate stress and anxiety levels by making it easier for entrepreneurs to take that much-needed vacation without feeling like they’re neglecting their business.
Call us today at (877) 262-8204 to learn more about the health-related services and amenities available at Amata’s shared office centers.