Working for a 9-5 job every week for 5 days can be boring and most of all, can be exhausting. The same thing applies to your employees as well where this exhaustion from the monotonous jobs can pose a threat to their productivity and creativity. If you think that giving them time off at the office so that they can sit in silence, slurping on their coffees, and scrolling through their social media is enough to make them feel rejuvenated, you might be wrong. For proper recharge, you need to do something more, something like arranging a fun office break room. Having a break room in the office will help your employees feel recharged, will improve team bonding, and impose a positive impact on overall productivity.
What is an Office Break Room? Why is Having One Important?
Before talking about how you can decorate a fun, creative office break room at the workplace, it is important to know what an office break room is and why it is important. So let’s start there. An office break room is a designated space or a room at the workplace where your employees can go to relax, or even escape from their monotonous desk jobs. It is also a place where employees can come together to socialize.
Every workplace needs to have a break room because according to studies it has been found that employee wellness is directly linked to employee productivity and more breaks can improve work happiness. Little breaks in-between work and socializing can allow human brains to rest and then reset their ability to focus and concentrate.
How Can You Decorate a Break Room at the Workplace?
Now that you know why break rooms are important, let’s focus on how you can decorate and arrange one at your workplace. Here are some ideas -
● A Mindfulness Corner:
Create a mindfulness corner at the workplace where employees can go and sit quietly or meditate. You can create a comfortable ambiance by including a few indoor plants, scented candles, a comfortable rug, some soft pillows, soothing music, and lighting.
● A Mini Office Library:
By building a mini office library, you can add a little bit of "productive entertainment". You need to make sure that the book collection is diverse not just in genres, but in authors and languages. Try to get a little bit of everything there, from romance to sci-fi to self-help.
● A Nap Room:
According to science, “a 10-minute nap can increase cognitive function and reduce fatigue”. So set up a cozy nap room with soft blankets and cozy pillows and encourage your employees to take a well-deserved break.
● A Kitchen Area:
People say the road to everyone’s heart goes from their stomachs. So set up a kitchen area where employees can go and make something for themselves.
● A Fitness Corner:
Sitting at a desk for 9 straight hours can be straining and reduce the blood flow in the human body. So, create a fitness corner where your employees can go for a quick stretch or even light exercise.
Now it is time for the activities!
● Team Lunch Plans:
Most of the work days, employees often stagger lunches so making a plan for an office lunch at the workplace creates a sense of community. You can plan lunches across departments or with different work groups.
● This or That:
This fun game can create healthy rivalry among co-workers and at the same time build bonds between teams. You can do this by choosing two competitive subjects like super strength or super speed, prequels, or equals every week and letting your employees vote.
● Break Room Dates:
Often break rooms are too small to accommodate every employee at the office at the same time. You can arrange break room dates with two people who can enjoy their free time together by selecting their choice of activities.
● Swap Meet:
Arranging swap meets at break rooms will help create bonds between co-workers as they will exchange goods and services. These can be holiday decorations, clothes, food, and snacks, etc.
● Mini Pen Pals:
It is one of the best ways for your employees to know each other. Arranging mini pen pal activities means the participants will write short notes for each other or even leave small gifts for a week or two.
So, it is time to implement these ideas and activities and give your employees a well-deserved break!
