After the COVID-19 pandemic, the level of burnout in healthcare workers and other essential workers has skyrocketed. Taking breaks and moments to recoup is important, whether or not you work in healthcare. Recharge rooms are being studied and implemented in many commercial spaces to help employees avoid stress and burnout in the workplace.
One study published by the National Library of Medicine found that “Prior to entry into the Recharge Room, average stress level was reported as 4.6/6 (±1.1). After a single 15-min experience in the Recharge Room, the average user-reported stress level was 1.85/6 (±1.2), representing an average 59.6% reduction in self-reported stress levels (Figure 2; p < 0.001; paired t-test)” (Putrino, et al., 2020).
EK Bailey builds a variety of commercial spaces and healthcare facilities. If you are looking into implementing a recharge room, there are many benefits and obstacles that you should consider before beginning. Below we will discuss what a recharge room is and how it can help improve your business.
What Is A Recharge Room?
A recharge room can be any sized room that helps your employees to step away from work and stress. A recharge room is a separate place from a breakroom or conference room.
These rooms should be great places to take a short nap, stretch, read, or take some calming deep breaths. Your recharge room design should meet your employee’s needs, so having conversations with them about what would be most beneficial will help make your room more valuable.
Features To Include
While each company can make a recharge room its own, there are some elements that make it more beneficial and designated as a recharge room over a normal breakroom. Depending on what your employees want, your recharge room can be as expensive and in-depth as you desire. Some elements you can include in a recharge space include:
- Mood lighting
- Calming plants
- Diffusers
- Candles
- Movies or changing nature scenes
- White noise makers or Bluetooth speakers
- Comfy or recliner chairs
- Yoga mats
- Air purifiers
- Soundproofing
- Natural light
What It Can Do For Your Employees
The benefits will continue to grow as recharge rooms evolve and more companies see how they can help your employees. Specifically, healthcare employees can benefit even just from a differently designed space than the rest of the facility to help their brains reconnect.
Employees who can utilize a properly constructed recharge room will limit burnout and stress. Limiting these emotions can also stop negative physical responses like high blood pressure, increased heart rate, or decreased cognitive function. Employees that have been able to take time to recharge or take time off have experienced less anxiety and mental health problems.
Even more important since the pandemic, recharge rooms can help boost employees’ immune systems. Having breaks and avoiding overstimulation can help improve your virus-fighting antibodies and overall wellness. This is important for healthcare workers that are constantly around sick patients and are truly needed in the workspace they are in.
Recharge Rooms For Offices Vs. Healthcare Facilities
While the most popular place for adding a recharge room has been in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities, adding one to your corporate office can be helpful. Current breakrooms can be converted into a new calming environment for your employees.
However, some differences may occur between these rooms in corporate offices compared to those in healthcare facilities. While all humans can experience burnout, healthcare workers who are dealing with death and traumatic illnesses may need a darker and more secluded space to recoup.
The best way to make sure your business’s recharge room is helpful is to discuss with employees what they would like to see. EK Bailey can help layout and design your room to your exact specifications. Multiple meetings with members of your team can take place before construction begins.
Builds With EK Bailey Construction
Our team works to build commercial buildings all around the state. Healthcare facilities are just one of the many buildings we specialize in. EK Bailey Construction builds business offices, retail spaces, fast food restaurants, fuel and convenience stores, and auto dealerships.
Check out our portfolio and learn more about what goes into each project and how each step of our process is completed. We want all our customers to feel safe and secure in their new building. Contact us to get started today!