With workplace wellbeing taking centre stage, creating a workspace that supports both productivity and mental health is more important than ever. Layrd Design is leading the way in designing environments that promote focus, energy, and overall wellness. From ergonomic adjustments to biophilic elements, here are five simple yet effective ways to transform your workstation into a space that enhances your wellbeing.
1. Stand up for your health
Sitting for extended periods can have a negative impact on health, leading to poor posture, fatigue, and long-term health issues. Sit-stand desks provide a practical solution by allowing employees to alternate between sitting and standing throughout the day. This simple change can promote better posture, increase energy levels, and reduce the strain associated with prolonged sitting.
For those looking to increase movement even further, under-desk treadmills offer the opportunity to walk while working—combining productivity with physical activity. This approach supports overall health while helping to maintain focus and motivation.
2. Upgrade your seating
Traditional office chairs can lead to back pain and poor posture. Dynamic seating options like wellness balls and balance stools provide an alternative that engages core muscles and encourages active sitting. Wellness balls require small, constant adjustments to maintain balance, which can help strengthen abdominal and back muscles.
Balance stools, such as the Flokk Giroflex 10-2020, feature slightly unstable bases that encourage micro-movements, promoting better posture and muscle engagement throughout the day. These options make sitting a more active and health-conscious experience.
3. Build strength during your workday
Incorporating light weights into your work routine can enhance muscle strength and overall wellbeing without interrupting your workflow. Wearing wrist or ankle weights during the day provides gentle resistance that helps strengthen supportive muscles and improve posture. This low-effort approach can help reduce fatigue and boost energy levels over time.
4. Stretch it out
Simple stretching exercises at your desk can help relieve muscle tension and improve flexibility. Quick movements like neck rolls, shoulder shrugs, and seated spinal twists are easy to incorporate into a busy day and can reduce stiffness from prolonged sitting. Regular stretch breaks can also boost circulation, increase focus, and improve overall comfort at work.
5. Combine work and workout
For a more integrated approach to wellness, consider combining your workstation with fitness equipment. Products like the WaterRower WallBars Desk allow you to use a laptop while working out, creating a seamless transition between work and exercise. This type of multifunctional setup encourages regular movement and makes it easier to incorporate physical activity into the workday.
Designing healthier workspaces
Incorporating wellness into the workplace doesn’t just improve physical health—it boosts morale, reduces absenteeism, and enhances job satisfaction. Layrd Design specialises in creating workspaces that promote health and productivity through tailored design solutions. Whether you’re considering a full office fit-out or specific furniture upgrades, their expert team can help you create a space where employees thrive.
“Building movement into your day is essential for both your short and long-term health. As we spend one third of our lives at work, small changes in the way we work can make a big difference to our health across our lifetimes. A coffee machine at the far end of the office might seem like an inconvenience, but it’s actually a clever way to design in a few extra steps and make your day a little healthier.” – Gina Clarke, Head of Gym Design, Layrd Design
Wellness shouldn’t stop at your workstation, and good workplace design can extend wellness into the whole office.
Read Layrd’s Design original article here.
You can meet Layrd Design in person at The Office Event where they’ll be exhibiting. The Office Event is a unique and timely trade show with free-to-attend content that offers a one-stop-shop for organisations who are rethinking their approach to workplace design, workplace experience and facilities management. Now in its second year, The Office will take place on 7th and 8th May 2025, at Excel in London. Co-located with The Watercooler Event for the full 360-degree workplace culture and employee wellbeing experience. You can find out more here.
