In recent months, the toll of the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of community as it relates to mental health. As feelings of isolation, anxiety, and depression have increased during the pandemic, many people are seeking meaningful connections to help them cope—and that’s one of the most vital functions communities perform.
Communities are inherently about relationships with others and a feeling of connectedness, which have a major impact on mental health. Without community, people may feel more isolated and lonely.
Strong communities are critical because they’re often an important source of social connection and a sense of belonging. Participating in a community bonded by attitudes, values, and goals is an essential ingredient to enjoying a fulfilling life.
The absence of social connections can have profound effects on our overall health. An early study on the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic showed that loneliness was one of the factors with the greatest psychological impact on people’s health. The impacts of low social connection on health include:
Elevated risk factors: Studies show people who lack strong social connections are also more likely to suffer from high levels of stress and inflammation, and face higher risk for suicide and early death.
Chronic disease: Research consistently links the lack of social connectedness with health conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, immune disorders, and cancer. suicide and early death.
Mental health: Social isolation can also impact mental health and well-being. Strong social ties are crucial to mental health—they can lower stress and anxiety and help people thrive.
Ultimately, communities give people a supportive group to help them cope with difficult challenges, band together to solve problems, and celebrate life’s lighter moments.
While they’ve always been more than just a place to work, the traditional coworking space has recently undergone new shifts to become more than a physical space. Modern coworking spaces have evolved in design and approach to engage with the local community and create opportunities for members to connect and collaborate, highlighting the importance of community development in the workplace.
As with most other workspace operators, the pandemic had a significant impact on the Coworking community and operations after social-distancing measures came into play. Members were unable to come into workspaces as often and when they did, preferred to be spaced out rather than in close proximity.
Despite the challenges of the pandemic, the future of coworking is optimistic. Even with the economic slowdown, popularity of coworking workspaces is increasing as people experience burnouts, distractions and professional isolation working from home.
In the post pandemic era of remote tele-interactions, online communication and phone calls. Coworking spaces have become a vital channel of community offering a sense of togetherness and collaboration.