10 Ways To Feel Better In Your London Office
In London’s fast-paced business environment, workplace wellbeing is a strategic necessity not an optional accessory.
Accumulating evidence makes clear that healthier offices lead to higher performance, lower absenteeism and stronger employee engagement.
Below are ten quickfire strategies grounded in recent research that leaders can embrace to help employees feel better at work and to elevate organisational resilience.
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1. Uphold ergonomic discipline
Musculoskeletal disorders remain one of the leading sources of lost productivity.
For example, a study of ergonomic interventions showed that among workers with upper-extremity disorders, a properly assessed ergonomic adjustment (including workstation layout, posture correction and supervisor involvement) significantly reduced productivity loss over 8 to 12 weeks. PubMed
Another case study in industrial operations reported that modifications in work method and equipment reduced ergonomic risk levels by up to 87% while increasing maximum efficiency by nearly 32%. ph01.tci-thaijo.org
2. Stay well hydrated
Cognitive performance, particularly attention and working memory, is sensitive to hydration levels.
A Penn State study of adults aged over 47 found that mild dehydration significantly impaired sustained attention over a 14-minute test period. Neuroscience News
Similarly, among older women, lower hydration status was associated with poorer scores in tasks of motor speed, sustained attention and working memory. ScienceDaily
3. Normalise movement breaks and reduce sedentary behaviour
Sedentary behaviour is rising among office workers.
One survey (Wellbeing Index, Westfield Health) found that 84% of workers struggle to meet NHS physical activity targets and more than one in four spend nine or more hours a day seated. Diabetes.co.uk
Studies of sit-stand desks show improvements: in a recent experiment, introducing freely usable sit-stand desks raised measured productivity by about 6.5% when compared to strictly seated work periods. BioMed Central
4. Make the most of natural light
Natural light is associated with better mood, alertness and sleep quality, which in turn supports cognitive performance, energy and general wellbeing.
While exact London-office studies may be less frequent, daylight exposure has been linked in many studies to improved circadian regulation, reduced fatigue and better mood in knowledge-workers.
5. Optimise air quality proactively
Indoor and outdoor air pollution has measurable effects on cognition.
A recent UCL study of older adults (65+) in England found that exposure over 8-10 years to nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and fine particulate matter (PM₂.5) correlated with lower cognitive performance, especially in language tasks. University College London+1
Another study (IZA / Management Science) demonstrated that a 10 µg/m³ increase in indoor PM₂.5 led to a 26.3% increase in the odds of making an erroneous decision in chess-move exercises under time pressure. IZA
6. Organise your workspace
Clutter, poor layout and inefficient access to tools increase cognitive load and inefficiency.
Organised workspaces help focus and reduce time lost searching for information or items.
Although precise quantification in London offices is underrepresented, ergonomic risk reduction studies uniformly show that better layout and design cut injury rates and improve task throughput significantly. (See point 1.)
7. Set boundaries with technology
Overload of notifications, email after hours and fragmented attention damage productivity and psychological rest.
Studies in workplace health show that mental fatigue and burnout (often exacerbated by technology) are among the leading causes of lost productive days.
The UK’s “Poor Health at Work” statistics estimate that UK businesses lose £138.3 billion per year owing to health-related productivity loss, much of which is driven by mental health issues, fatigue and related causes. news.vitalityglobal.com+1
8. Nurture positive working relationships
Human connection moderates stress and supports resilience.
Firms with stronger relational culture report lower turnover, fewer days lost to sickness and higher engagement.
For example, in the Vitality “Britain’s Healthiest Workplace” survey, mental health issues (which are influenced by quality of social support) were among the major factors increasing lost productive days. news.vitalityglobal.com+1
9. Fuel your body wisely
What employees eat affects energy levels, concentration and emotional stability.
Poor nutrition (high sugar, irregular meals) is associated in broader health studies with greater risks of fatigue, poor sleep quality and reduced job performance.
While it has proven difficult to find a London-specific study in this search that isolates office nutrition’s effect on immediate productivity, related research in public health confirms that diet is a key modifiable factor in workplace wellbeing.
10. Safeguard mental resilience
Caring for mental health is no longer optional.
According to recent UK data, conditions such as depression, poor sleep quality and musculoskeletal problems contribute heavily to lost productivity. Vitality Insurance Plans+1
Even small interventions like mindfulness, structured pauses or providing quiet zones have been shown to relieve stress biomarkers, improve perceived stress and reduce burnout risk over time in controlled trials.
Finally, Business Implications & Strategic Framing
The UK economy loses well over £50 billion per year through sickness absence alone and many more billions through presenteeism (people at work but underperforming). GOV.UK+2The Guardian+2
Weakness in workplace health translates into higher staff turnover, more recruitment costs and lower morale.
Organisations that adopt a holistic wellbeing strategy incorporating ergonomics, hydration, air quality, movement and mental health are likely to see measurable returns: fewer sick days, lower insurance and healthcare costs, greater retention and improved output.
Image credit: Engineer Engineering Computer - Free photo on Pixabay
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