May marks Mental Health Awareness Month, offering an important opportunity to reflect on how our daily habits, workplace culture, and physical environments can better support overall wellbeing.
As the lines between work and life continue to evolve, organizations are recognizing that mental health is not only shaped by policies and benefits, but also by the spaces where people spend much of their day. From access to natural light to opportunities for social connection, thoughtful workplace design can play a meaningful role in helping people feel more energized, focused, and supported.
At Unispace, we believe the workplace should do more than enable productivity — it should create environments where people can thrive. Here are five simple but impactful ways to support mental wellbeing throughout the workday.
To explore how the workplace itself can contribute to employee wellbeing, we interviewed four Unispace designers for their insights:
Natural light plays an important role in regulating circadian rhythms, improving mood, and supporting better sleep quality. If you spend long hours indoors, you can benefit from taking a short walk during lunch breaks to increase your exposure to daylight.
“Spaces designed with open sightlines, large windows, and fewer barriers to daylight can help people feel more alert, balanced, and connected to the outside world.” — Phylicia Tan, Senior Designer, Unispace Singapore
Hydration is often overlooked, but even mild dehydration can affect your concentration, energy, and mood. Keeping a water bottle nearby and drinking regularly throughout the day can help you stay alert and balanced.
Thoughtfully designed workplaces can also encourage healthier habits through accessible pantry areas, wellness spaces, and hospitality-inspired amenities that support everyday routines.
3. Move Your Body
Exercise helps reduce stress by lowering cortisol levels, while also improving cognitive performance and supporting overall mental wellbeing. Movement doesn’t need to mean intense workouts — it can be as simple as stretching at your workspace, taking short walking breaks, or incorporating light activity throughout your day.
"Employees have different needs throughout the day, so providing spaces as cognitive performance tools, such as multi-purpose space, collaboration zones, lounges, and quiet areas, gives people autonomy over how and where they work.” — Affshan Kaur Sidhu, Senior Associate, Design, Unispace India
4. Practice Mindfulness or Meditation
A few minutes of intentional pause can help you reset, improve focus, and reduce feelings of overwhelm. Simple breathing exercises or short moments of stillness during the day can make a meaningful difference.
Workplace environments that incorporate quiet areas, wellness rooms, and biophilic elements can further support moments of calm and mental reset throughout the day.
"Biophilic design makes a meaningful difference. Incorporating greenery, natural materials, textures, and organic forms helps create calmer, less clinical environments that feel more restorative.” — Amirah Azmi, Principal, Design, Unispace Malaysia
Strong social relationships are one of the most protective factors for mental health, supporting the release of oxytocin, a hormone associated with bonding, trust, and connection. In increasingly hybrid workplaces, creating moments for connection matters more than ever.
Whether through shared lounges, cafés, social hubs, or flexible collaboration spaces, workplace design can help foster community and strengthen culture.
"Thoughtfully designed social hubs, cafés, and shared amenities create opportunities for spontaneous interaction, which strengthens culture and reduces feelings of isolation.” —Cheryl Martirez, Associate, Design, Unispace Hong Kong
Supporting mental health at work is not about one major initiative — it’s about creating an ecosystem of healthy habits, supportive culture, and intentional design choices that positively shape the everyday experience.
As organizations continue redefining the future workplace, designing with wellbeing in mind will remain essential in creating environments where people feel connected, empowered, and able to do their best work.