Dr. Gleb Tsipursky – The Office Whisperer
Nirit Cohen – WorkFutures
Angela Howard – Culture Expert
Drew Jones – Design & Innovation
Jonathan Price – CRE & Flex Expert
- Coworking spaces are designing environments that promote digital detox, offering quiet zones, wellness spaces, and offline social areas to help workers unplug from screens.
- Features like biophilic design, meditation rooms, and digital detox zones reduce stress and enhance focus, allowing workers to recharge.
- By encouraging breaks from digital distractions, coworking spaces boost productivity and help employees maintain a healthy work-life balance.
As we balance our work, social lives, and even our health through devices, it’s easy to lose sight of just how much time we spend connected. At this point, it’s hard to imagine a day without screens — whether it’s our laptops, smartphones, or tablets.
While the digital world brings convenience and connection, it also leads to a growing need for people to disconnect from it.
While coworking spaces have long been known as places where connection and community flourish, some of these flexible workspaces are now becoming the ideal middle ground for much-needed digital detox.
These workspaces are creating havens where individuals can unplug from the constant buzz of notifications and immerse themselves in an environment designed to help them recharge and refocus.
The Appeal of Unplugging
With the pressure to stay digitally connected at all times, it can be challenging to find moments of real peace. Coworking spaces are responding to this need by providing environments where you can take a break from screens, allowing for more focused and productive work.
These spaces are being designed in ways that prioritize well-being and balance — providing a welcome break from the overwhelming digital noise.
Thoughtful Design for Rest and Reconnection
Coworking spaces are incorporating design elements that make it easier for workers to step away from their devices and re-center. There’s an emphasis on creating places where individuals can recharge, find moments of quiet, and reconnect with themselves.
Design details like cozy, low-light areas or soft, comfortable seating are becoming staples, providing a more peaceful atmosphere to reduce screen time and encourage moments of respite.
Here are some examples of how this design is being implemented:
- Spaces Designed for Reflection: Many coworking spaces now feature designated “quiet zones” or meditation rooms where workers can escape the constant buzz of emails, Slack notifications, and social media. These spaces are often equipped with calming elements like soft lighting, comfortable seating, and even soothing sounds, offering a much-needed mental reset.
- Digital Detox Zones: Some coworking spaces are creating areas specifically designed for a digital detox. These zones might include nature-inspired interiors or areas with no access to screens — such as reading lounges or coffee corners where devices are put away. This encourages employees to focus on offline interactions, creative thinking, or simply take a break from screen fatigue.
- Biophilic Design: Incorporating plants and natural elements into coworking spaces has been shown to improve air quality and boost mood. Coworking environments that integrate biophilic design help reduce stress and promote mindfulness, allowing individuals to recharge in a space that feels refreshing and connected to the natural world.
- Mindfulness and Wellness Spaces: Some coworking locations offer yoga studios, fitness centers, or even rooms dedicated to stretching and deep breathing exercises. By creating spaces that encourage wellness, these environments help workers physically and mentally unplug from their screens, enhancing focus when they do return to work.
- Offline Social Spaces: Instead of the usual coffee bar or lounge where workers are often glued to their laptops, some coworking spaces now feature areas that promote offline socializing — games, puzzles, or comfortable seating arrangements where people can engage in face-to-face conversation without the distraction of devices.
A Shift Toward Real Connections
As much as we rely on digital communication, there’s still immense value in face-to-face interaction. Many coworking spaces are doubling down on community areas — places where workers can meet, chat, and collaborate in person. These spaces are specifically designed to encourage breaks from digital screens, offering a place where employees can bond over a coffee or engage in organic discussions.
Building Boundaries Between Work and Life
Coworking spaces also play a critical role in helping employees draw clear lines between work and personal time.
Working from home can make it harder to disconnect after hours, but coworking spaces help enforce boundaries by providing a clear separation between workspace and personal space.
The ability to “leave” work at the office (or in this case, the coworking facility) can be essential to many workers for a balanced and healthy lifestyle.
Enhancing Productivity by Unplugging
Taking regular breaks from technology isn’t just beneficial for your mental health; it can also enhance your productivity. By stepping away from digital distractions, workers return to their tasks feeling refreshed and more focused.
Coworking spaces that encourage this digital detox can lead to improved performance and better work outcomes, allowing employees to be more engaged when they are on task.
A New Model for Workspaces
As businesses place a greater focus on employee well-being, coworking spaces are quickly becoming more than just places to work. They’re becoming digital detox hubs, designed to help workers step away from the screen, recharge, and engage in real-world experiences.
With thoughtful design and an emphasis on balance, these spaces are setting the standard for how workspaces can help employees unplug and achieve a healthier work-life rhythm.
Coworking spaces that embrace this concept provide a valuable opportunity for workers to disconnect from the constant digital flow, leading to more focused, productive, and fulfilling work experiences.
