The conventional definition of a "wellness place" is usually a gym, a park or a sports center – maybe a yoga or pilates class. These are places of exercise and spiritual healing, but the definition ignores the one space we all spend time in -- the workplace.
According to the Analysis Report on the Development and Investment Opportunities of China's mobile Internet and Big Health Industry in 2020-2026 released by Zhiyan Consulting, big data on Chinese people's health is not a cause for optimism. The age of people affected by diseases is getting younger; 22% of middle-aged people die of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, 70% adults are at risk of overwork and 76% of white-collar workers are in sub-optimal health. Traditional workplaces and unhealthy working habits are damaging our wellbeing.
It has become an important issue in today’s society to take a healthy lifestyle into consideration in the design of the workplace, and to reflect the humanity and care of an enterprise towards its employees.
Especially in the wake of the pandemic in the last few years, more and more companies have come to realize that people-centred health strategies are not just about improving environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance, they are also central to sustaining corporate growth and profitability. Businesses that invest better in their employees are more likely to benefit from healthier workers, higher productivity, and better economic results. Either as a post-epidemic response, or simply because companies are paying more attention to the culture of wellbeing, people are awakening to the health needs of office space. The trend of the built environment towards a more humane approach is irreversible.
As a pioneer in the cause of healthy living, IWB is co-operating with Design Shanghai to launch the 'Workplace - Thriving Places' special exhibition area. This joint exploration of the future of the healthy office in China will feature the leading opinion formers and brands in the health and wellbeing industry.
The ' Workplace - Thriving Places ' section at Design Shanghai will focus on the WELL Building Standard’s 10 Concepts - Air, Water, Nourishment, Light, Movement, Thermal Comfort, Sound, Materials, Mind and Community. Together with partner brands and solutions providers, the ' Workplace - Thriving Places ' section will focus on solutions to improve employee health and wellbeing in office spaces. Create a healthy office space that puts people first.
The ' Workplace - Thriving Places’ section aims to generate a four-day conference that drives the conversation about how to create a future model of inclusive, pleasant, technological, healthy and sustainable space. Of course, many brands and service companies will also display their latest products and services in the sector.
Explore more possibilities of 'Workplace' with us to create and define new ways of working!