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Janet Lowe, Head of Marketing UK & Ireland at Forbo Flooring Systems explains how to incorporate mindfulness within the workplace.

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With the health and wellbeing of office workers an important topic within the industry, many companies are looking for ways to help their employees feel more at ease. And one such design solution being discussed in relation to this, is to incorporate mindfulness within the workplace. Janet Lowe, Head of Marketing UK & Ireland at Forbo Flooring Systems explains more:

Tessera Cloudscape in 3402 Ocean Winds and 3413 Monsoon Cloud

Mindfulness, in its simplest form, means awareness and practising it offers a way to pay attention to the present moment, without judgement. It can help to reduce stress and anxiety, increase resilience and emotional intelligence and improve communication. However, practising mindfulness not only has physiological benefits for individuals; it also has a positive impact on the workplace, as it can help to improve creativity and relationships.

Although there are various ways to incorporate mindfulness into the workplace, it’s important that employers look at the physical office environment they have created for their employees. Indeed, evidence has suggested that there is a strong correlation between creativity, productivity and even profitability, and employee working conditions, such as design, culture and light(1).

Tessera Cloudscape in 3401 Light Airs and 3402 Ocean Winds

While floor coverings are just one factor within the design of a workplace, they do play an important role with multiple benefits – from reducing the impact of sound, to improving air quality and creating hygienic environments, as well as being instrumental in the overall interior décor.

When it comes to the design of the floor coverings, it’s important to look for products that have nature inspired patterns, shapes and tones, as they will help to create a fresh and relaxing interior, which will encourage mindfulness. In fact, according to some studies(2), having the natural world represented in an office can help to reduce employee stress and tension, lessen depression, help stave off feelings of anger and hostility amongst workers and even reduce fatigue.

Tessera Cloudscape in 3405 Sunset Sky and 3408 Grey Dawn

With this in mind, Forbo developed a carpet tile collection to provide end users with a comfortable workspace that encourages mindfulness and an opportunity to reconnect with the environment. Tessera Cloudscape is inspired by constantly changing cloud formations and offers a softly textured look and feel, which is delivered by the clever use of a multi-height loop design that delivers calming aesthetics and provides comfort underfoot. The collection also consists of 16 naturally inspired tonal colourways, which allows the creation of light, fresh and airy spaces.

For more information please visit www.forbo-flooring.co.uk/cloudscape
Feature image: Tessera Cloudscape in 3401 Light Airs and Tessera Outine in 3102 Soda
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1 http://workplaceinsight.net/workplace-conditions-and-the-office-design-shown-to-affect-performance/
2 http://www.aztec-interiors.co.uk/bringing-outdoors-office-environment/