To stand out in an increasingly competitive business world, corporations have started shifting their focus toward building an efficient and productive workplace. Even though it might sound counter intuitive to productivity, one of the ways companies can ensure top performance is by providing employees with a place to ‘rest’. Of course, rest does not have to literally mean lying down on the floor or dozing off on the desk for a power nap! At work, it essentially means a mental break from redundant work activity to refresh your brain and avoid burnout. If employees don’t take regular breaks, the constant pressure to perform can lead to stress, exhaustion, and a creative block in employees leading to redundant ideas. Office designers play a critical role in providing the right settings to support work and also offer a space for relaxation & recreation. Creativity & innovation requires both, convergent & divergent thinking where people could come together and also work in seclusion. To support these different work modes where employees could switch between work & rest, companies need to offer their employees a range of settings to work in. 

Offering a true palette of posture in the office is conducive to employee wellbeing & creativity. Social areas form a critical part of modern workplace furniture mix. Social areas are instinctive spaces encouraging interactions that invite them to sit and create in ways that feel natural. Such interactions promote creative solutions and foster collaborations across teams and departments. They encourage postures that have a relaxed, casual feel. Interactions are bolstered by furniture that allows social areas to become communal through casual seating that support the natural movements of the body.

Here are 5 reasons why organisations should invest on developing social areas at their workplace.

1. Promotes social connections

Perhaps the most apparent characteristic of a social area is that it promotes team cohesion in the workplace. Through their accessibility and relaxed atmosphere, social areas make it easier for people to strike up conversations, and brainstorm together for solutions to shared problems giving them a stronger sense of belonging. The ‘Park Lounge’ is a perfect seating that supports shared or open spaces. It blends high-quality American steel production with the meticulous beauty of Danish craft.
You can view it here https://hni-india.com/product/park-lounge/

2. Promotes creative thinking

The classic Indian posture of sitting cross legged is actually stimulating for the brain to absorb ideas. Relaxed posture allows the mind to wander and imagination to run wild inviting insights and breakthroughs. Sitting relaxed allows our creative juices to flow and is good for our emotional and physical well-being. ‘Rock’ - the angled chair by HNI Allsteel is one such chair that is designed in a way to encourage playful working with its fun rocking motion. You can visit: https://hni-india.com/product/rock/. HNI India is a leading office chair manufacturer in India. 

3. Supports new ways of working

With laptops and wireless connectivity, you are no longer confined to the length of the cable but can freely port your work anywhere. Social areas hence become important as they allow a workspace away from workspace, where work can be casual, creative and productive.

4. Encourages flexibility

Unlike the professional protocol involved in a meeting/conference room, a casual, light seating in the social area will make the space quickly accessible to any group for any purpose. The idea here is that this common space could be utilized by any office member or group making it a truly cohesive space. Take ‘Perch’ for instance. The settings it has, automatically creates friendly, open environments where everyone can easily socialize.
You can see more details here: https://hni-india.com/product/perch/

5. Attracts new resource and increases retention 

Studies show that 93% of workers in the tech industry were more inclined to remain at a business that created spaces such as social areas or “recharge” rooms for their employees than those that do not. With the modern workplace promoting more remote working, businesses who are taking these extra steps to cater to their employees have the upper hand. 

HNI India is one of the leading office furniture manufacturers in the country India and worldwide. To truly explore our range of online office furniture , you must visit the HNI India eStore to check out the lounge options available with us that would instantly transform your home into a sophisticated workplace. We recommend you the below handpicked seating options:

1. 1. Surge: A high back with lavish seat depth and armrest, this chair personifies luxury. The sturdy wooden base and buttoned back adds glamour and character. Perfect as a bedroom chair or study room chair.
2. 2. Kym: Classic, inviting, nostalgic and curved. With well-proportioned design, curved yet conical back, this chair is sure to give your room a contemporary flavour.
3. 3. Forum: Forum’s sleek and smart modular design not only brings flexibility to your home office but also adds flair to your home. Use it as living room couch or as a bedroom chair, Forum is sure to gel in.

For more such options, visit the HNI India eStore today!

 It’s March 2021 and we have come a full circle to the month where it all really started – except that now we have the COVID vaccine (thank God!). This means, we can now get back to our workplaces with some basic safety precautions. While some employees are happy to go back and finally meet their colleagues in person, some have gotten used to the work-from-home life. Indeed, for many of us, working from home gave us enough scope for self-improvement, at least theoretically, considering we saved a significant amount of time. Unlike the majority of us who stretched our work to fit the entire day leaving us lesser time than expected, there were a few persistent and disciplined individuals among us who deftly used this time at home for self-development. Now that you are getting back to your office and you think you did not utilize your time at home well, no need to feel discouraged, at all. Here are some tips that you can apply in your life to stay fit even while at work. These workout tips will not only help you stay fit but will also help you feel better about yourself and probably cover-up for your missed out time.

1. 1. Keep those muscles on the move - It may be to use the washroom, sprinkle water to hydrate your face, take a color print of your favorite holiday pic, check out the view from the other side of your department, grab a grape from the fruit box of your colleague or just eavesdrop a gossip - you can have absolutely any reason to take a stroll down the floor. All this ‘small walk’ will add to make up for the lost hours at home.

PS: Keep your walk to yourself, don’t interrupt the focus of your colleagues by gate-crashing their office workstation every so often.

1. 2. Hold a meeting, while standing - If you are at a position that allows you to ‘call’ meetings, then you are also in a position to stand through the meeting. Additionally, things will become much easier if you have a height adjustable table such as the one by HNI India (Of course!). You can also occasionally fidget with the desk height while you talk to retain/attract attention. 

PS: Don’t stand in a sitting meeting unless you are the host, it will look odd! 

1. 3. Exercise at the Desk - This might be the most heard yet most ignored advice at work. That is mainly because not many are comfortable with the idea of triceps dips on their work chair or lunges around their desk. But hey, you don’t need to do these moves when you can simply do exercises such as holding your feet off the ground for 60 secs, triceps stretches every once a while, or a neck & wrist stretch. No one will even notice you!

PS: Remember, it’s not a gym – so keep it low key!

1. 4. Ditch the elevator - Stairs are your ‘thigh’ friend. Take them at least while going down the floors. Use a gadget to count your steps - that might encourage you to do more.

PS: Don’t run through the stairs when you are already late to work! 

1. 5. Maintain Good Posture - "Sit up straight!" "Don't slouch!" is an admonishment you must have frequently heard in your childhood - this advice is most applicable today while we sit at our offices. Being aware of good posture is the first step to breaking old poor postural habits and reducing stress and strain on your spine. An ergonomic chair, such as the ones by HNI India, is the easiest and best way to ensure good sitting posture.

PS: We recommend ‘Fluence’ by HNI India – probably one of the best ergonomic chair to be used for the all body types.  With its broad back, adjustable lumbar support and a contoured seat, the ‘Fluence’ offers extraordinary comfort. Its contoured outer frame gives a close body-hugging fit that is suitable for dynamic seating; a must for workplace health and happiness.

1. 6. Snack Healthy - The easiest way to spoil all your efforts is to binge on unhealthy snacks. This includes sugary, salty, fried, and fatty foods. While that is true, you don’t need to completely skip your daily tea or coffee, you can simply cut down on the volume and limit the frequency. 

PS: A cheat meal is fine, just go out and have that cheeseburger already!

HNI is one of the leading office furniture manufacturers in the world, headquartered in Iowa, USA. HNI India’s product offering covers all spaces in an office that includes workstations, seating solutions, collaborative furniture and wide range of private offices and conference room solutions. One of our key strengths lies in our ability to listen to and understand our customer’s unique workplace requirements, leverage our wide range of solutions, and customize efficiently to meet their needs. If you are looking to redesign your office with contemporary furniture solutions, contact HNI India - the manufacturers of ergonomic work from home & office furniture.