Imagine you’re walking through a forest. The sun shimmers through the trees. The only sounds are occasional birds chirping and wind rustling through the leaves. Just reading this might induce feelings of calm. Studies show natural environments trigger specific cognitive states, like reduced mental fatigue and stress. Humans are hardwired to have physiological responses to different physical environments, and these reactions can be influenced by socio-cultural factors. For example, our heart rate rises when we walk into the dentist’s office, an otherwise unremarkable room, because we know what’s coming. The sight of our bed might make us sleepy, or at least inspire a longing to curl up with a book. That’s why sleep experts recommend against doing things like reading, eating, or working in bed—don’t cross the wires.
In the same vein, it’s important to maintain a boundary between workspaces and living spaces, which becomes challenging when people are working from home. For this reason and others, I advocate for a full return to the office. Since the pandemic slowed, my team at Jotform has transitioned to working full-time in our offices. I’ve seen the benefits, in terms of learning, collaboration, innovation, and personal well-being. Here’s a closer look at why full RTO is better than WFH or hybrid work for businesses and employees.
