Imagine you're interviewing a talented professional for a critical role within your company. Your salary offer is competitive. You offer an excellent benefits package. As you walk this candidate around your office space, you are able to show off the wellness room. What does this say about your company?
I'll tell you what it says. It communicates that you understand your employees are human and you care about their sanity.
Have you ever heard a colleague tell you something like this?
"When I returned to work after having my baby, I had to pump in the server room."
"My back bothers me if I sit for too long, so every afternoon, I go to the conference room and lay down for a while to straighten and stretch my back."
"That client is insane. I hid in the bathroom after that call until I was composed enough to go back to my desk."
We're all human. We're working hard together, and to be our best, focused, and productive selves... we need a room with an easy chair and a break from the overhead lights.
Author and coach Rebecca Olson suggests that rest is the single best productivity tool and we agree. She emphasizes the major difference between sleep and rest, though both are equally important, rest can be thought of as "moments of awake mental rejuvenation." Productivity and rest are directly correlated, but oftentimes, we only rest as a result of exhaustion or burnout when we see no other option. In order to be the most productive day today, we need to implement a few minutes from our crazy days to take a mental break.
So what goes in a wellness room? Your company wellness room supports anyone who needs:
With the right supply list, the wellness room can come through for all of your employees.
| Item | Why |
| Comfortable chair | Suitable for a power nap, comfortable for nursing moms. |
| Mini fridge | Exclusively for storing breast milk (no snacks or lunches!) |
| Mirror | Check your mug after your power nap. |
| Sound machine | To keep office noise out. |
| Curtains | If your room has windows, create the option for privacy. |
| Occupied sign on the door | So no one knocks. |
| Ability to book the room (like other conference rooms) | So you know it's available to you when you need it. |
| Picture display | Invite colleagues to contribute a picture of their kids or pets. |
| Yoga mat | Stretching is important! |
| Blankets & pillows | To keep cozy and comfortable |
| Lamp | An alternative lighting option to the office overhead lights. |
| Clock | Because checking your phone for the time is a rabbit hole of distractions and a big 'ol dose of cortisol that isn't worth it right now. #truth. |
| Essential oil diffuser | Aromatherapy can help reduce stress. |
We hope this supply list is helpful to anyone planning to build a wellness room in their office. By the way, this isn't the first time we've written about creating a healthy office. We are advocates for the right salary offer, the right benefits package, and also the right working environment. Don't just secure the best talent at your organization, retain them.
If you're adding talent to your teams, we would love to help. Please, get in touch with us.