We thought we’d look at how Basestation enhances wellbeing for those that use our coworking space. 

Physical health

• Ergonomic chairs are standard for all our desks and offices. These chairs can be adjusted easily to suit and support the user's needs. Check out the link here for how to set your chair to get the most benefit and support from it. Although it’s recommended you get up and move your body every 20 - 60 min - while you are seated, we want you to be as comfortable as possible.  
  
  
• FREE secure indoor bike parking for our residents - this is a perk we offer to encourage more sustainable ways to get to work. As an added benefit - this helps keep our residents fit and healthy as they cycle into the office.  
  
  
• Shower facilities to use after physical activities - once you’ve cycled, run or walked into the office, you can take a shower and use our complimentary towel service and toiletries. This is also used by our residents who go to a gym, jog or cycle during their lunch breaks. Providing somewhere to ‘freshen up’ after physical activity makes exercising more accessible. 
  
  

Mental health

• A sense of community and connection is essential for any coworking space. There are a number of ways in which we create opportunities for our residents to connect with one another included (but not limited to): monthly shared lunches and breakfast club, Coffee Chats and communal areas such as our kitchens and courtyard to hang out together. We endeavour to create a friendly and welcoming space for new and established residents where they can feel that they belong. 
  
  
• Plants - yes, our green friends have a positive effect on our mental health. In a recent article in Time Magazine, it discussed the benefits of having houseplants, these included:
  • may reduce anxiety and stress
  • can sharpen attention
  • help patients heal faster
  • can increase happiness and life satisfaction
  • might make you more productive
  • make indoor life a pleasure. 

Basestation has over 400 plants (yes, we’ve counted!), all of which have been donated or propagated. It certainly makes the space more welcoming and homely.

• Art work - in a 2016 article by The Guardian, psychologists looked at the impact of enhancing a workplace with art and plants. They found that people who worked in a space with art work on the walls and plants were 15% quicker, with less health complaints, than those in a space without.
  
  We have a number of artworks around the office given to us or commissioned by local artists. They help brighten up a corridor or stairwell and make the space feel more vibrant and energised.  
  
  
• Natural light is essential for good mental health. Research has found that workers in offices with windows received more natural light and had better sleep quality, higher physical activity levels, and lower stress levels than workers in a windowless office. Natural light has also shown to reduce symptoms of depression in patients with seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a type of depression related to changes in seasons and daylight.
  
  All our spaces at Basestation, meeting rooms, offices, desks, and even the basement Babbage Space - has access to natural light. 

Other Wellbeing perks:

• Fresh air flow and localised air conditioning and heating to create a comfortable and healthy office space. Good ventilation is important as studies have shown it is also associated with:
  • Improved health
  • Better concentration
  • Lower rates of absence from work
  • Better quality of sleep
  • Reduced exposure to a wide range of air pollutants

Being in a space that’s also a comfortable temperature (not too hot, or cold - but just right!) also makes us more productive. 

Each of our offices and meeting rooms have their own heat pumps/air con units which can be controlled by those using the space. 

• FREE fresh fruit - this is one of the perks we offer our residents while they are using the coworking space. We have two generous fruit baskets located in our ground floor and 1st floor kitchens, these are topped up daily with fresh fruit and snacks.
  
  We are all aware that fresh fruit significantly benefits our diet and wellbeing by providing essential nutrients, aiding digestion, and reducing the risk of chronic disease.   
  
  
• Flexible working is something a number of our residents take advantage of. If you have a permanent desk or office with us, you have 24/7 access to the space. This means you can come in whenever is good for you, do your work, then leave. Similarly, if you need a hot desk or office, we are open from 8:30am - 5:00pm Monday to Friday, customers can take advantage of an hourly rate or a day rate - depending on their needs.  
  Flexible work has a number of benefit, including (but not limited to): 
  • greater quality family time 
  • better work-life balance
  • less stress for caregivers and/or parents
  • flexibility to pursue other activities such as side hustles/projects/training/studies, etc.  

• A place where you can be productive - something that’s paramount to any coworking space. Here at Basestation, we have created a comfortable and welcoming space where you can be productive and get down to work! One of the downsides of working from home are the distractions; unloading the dishwasher, putting the washing out, tidying up the kitchen, nipping out quickly to do the grocery shop, you name it - we’ve all done it while working from home!
  
  Coming to a dedicated workspace with other people who are also here to get their mahi done - can be infectious! 

If this sounds like something that appeals to you, why not come along and try out coworking? We have Open Days on the second Thursday of every month (excluding January) -  which means that if you’ve never visited Basestation before, you can try hot desking for FREE for the whole day.

Come and find us at 148 Durham Street, Tauranga - we are open from 8:30am - 5:00pm Monday to Friday.