Opinions expressed by the authors are their own.

While wellness is not a new concept, the global health crisis has amplified the importance and heightened social consciousness about health, wellness and safety within the workplace. Before the pandemic, for many wellness was a nice to have – looked at more as a perk or an amenity. Now however, for many organizations it’s considered a nonnegotiable and imperative no matter how big or small. Covid-19 has been both a blessing and a curse – with the pain and hardship has come an acceleration of self-care, and the acknowledgment across businesses of prioritizing health and wellness.

One of the most frequent questions we get asked is what trends we think are here to stay -there is no doubt Wellness is one of them. People have become acclimated to working from home, and so the transition back to the office in any capacity will have a profound effect on employees. The below will be important when considering employee wellness.

Access to Outdoors – In many ways, the pandemic has conditioned us to feel most comfortable and safest outdoors. Easy access to the outdoors via an office terrace or designated outdoor area may help employees stay physically and mentally healthy. The combination of fresh outdoor air, views of greenery and natural daylight can help boost mood and energy levels.

Diversity of Spaces – With most of us seeing the same backdrop for more than a year, workers are yearning for a diversification of their current space. Offices with a blend of spaces that support focused solo work or group collaboration will be important as people begin further populating their offices. With a stronger work-life integration due to the pandemic, wellness rooms will help foster private space. These spaces can be easily reconfigured to fit multiple functions as people relearn how to work in-person together.

Enhanced Indoor Air Quality – Delivering high indoor air quality has become paramount to curb the spread of COVID-19 and other contagions. Proper ventilation and filtration can not only prevent the spread of illness, but can also provide other benefits to employee wellness such as enhance cognitive function, increase energy levels and improve overall mood. While poor indoor air quality has always been a leading source of discomfort among office workers, improving it is now more prevalent as a key tool in combating sickness.

As part of Savills Workplace and real estate advisory services, we help clients develop a holistic wellness strategy that encompasses both design and policy. Using leadership identified goals and best practices, we determine a path forward that coincides with both your future real estate decisions and workplace policies.