How Coworking Spaces Can Help You Avoid Burnout
It’s normal to feel overwhelmed and exhausted from work from time to time, and you’re not alone. However, then the occasional rough patch turns into a constant state of low productivity and lack of motivation, it’s not to be taken lightly.
Why Do More And More People Feel Burnout at Work?
Technology keeps us all connected, but it also creates the — often only perceived —expectation to always be available. This leads to long working hours, multitasking in various roles, and taking on more responsibility than we can manage. Also, there is no real outlet to help us find balance and motivation. And that’s just one of the reasons why you may feel work burnout even if you are really passionate about your job.
This mounting stress can manifest itself in several ways:
- Exhaustion or chronic fatigue
- Loss of motivation for projects
- Detachment from colleagues
- Feelings of apathy or being unfulfilled
- Headaches and back pain
Combined, these symptoms can lead to serious problems, from poor job performance to physical health issues. Therefore, it’s essential to address them before they become more severe.
Coworking spaces were born from the very idea to challenge the way we think about the way we work. While they’re by no means the be-all and end-all solution when it comes to dealing with burnout, work-life balance and mental health considerations have been at the core of the coworking philosophy form the get-go.
How Can Coworking Spaces Help You Combat Work Burnout?
In essence, the idea behind coworking spaces is simple: they aim to provide the resources necessary to stay productive and motivated, while offering an opportunity to collaborate with like-minded people. Here are a couple of ways this helps you avoid burnout:
A Change of Scenery
It’s sometimes as simple as that. Working in the same office for long hours can become monotonous, leading to burnout. The same goes for working from home.
Coworking spaces provide a change of scenery, benefiting your mental state and helping you stay motivated. By working in a coworking space, you can experience the variety that comes with being surrounded by different people from various backgrounds.
Flexible Working Hours
Rather than the typical nine-to-five grind, coworking spaces provide flexibility regarding working hours. Unlike traditional offices, coworking spaces don’t impose strict working hours, so you can take a break whenever needed. Or work when and how you prefer.
For example, if you’re tired and need to take some time off, you can do so at your will. Such short and frequent breaks can help you stay focused for longer. Are you a night owl rather than an early bird? Most coworking spaces are open 24/7 so you can work in the middle of the night, if that’s when you’re most productive.
Networking Opportunities
Coworking spaces serve as a platform for networking and collaborating with professionals from different fields. For example, you might have a new business but need to learn about handling finances or hiring the right employees. In this case, a finance or HR professional from the coworking community might give you the right piece of advice. It also allows you to form meaningful connections that can turn into friendships, or at the very least spark interesting conversations, easing your chances of work burnout.
A Sense of Community
Another benefit of coworking spaces is the sense of community they offer. They help build camaraderie among members as everyone works together and shares resources and allows them to have an outlet for stress relief and support.
If you need professional guidance or just to bounce ideas, you can easily reach out to someone who understands your situation and can offer advice.
Better Work-Life Balance
Coworking spaces enable you to find a balance between your work and personal life, which can be challenging to achieve when working from home or in a traditional office setting.
Coworking spaces provide a comfortable, social atmosphere, making it easier for you to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Ready To Tackle Work Burnout?
Work burnout is a real problem experienced by many professionals in all fields. Through flexible working hours, networking opportunities, a change of scenery, and a sense of community, coworking spaces provide an environment where you can be productive while maintaining a balanced lifestyle and without sacrificing your comfort or your access to resources.
In today’s competitive world, it’s vital to ensure that you work from the right environment, and coworking spaces can be an invaluable resource for reducing the risk or impact of burnout.
