Better together: how community improves workplace wellness

Today, we have easier access to health and wellness tools than ever before. It’s never been less hassle to download a meditation app, stream a home workout or sign up for an affordable gym. But accessibility doesn’t equal success. Even when we stick at it, which is often a challenge in itself, our wellness goals almost always fall prey to the productivity plateau – a flattening curve of performance that invades all areas of our lives, from work to wellness. 
 
It's a familiar story. First, the growth phase. You pick up a new hobby or job and rapidly develop skills. It’s motivating and exciting. Then, you optimise. Your efficiency increases and improvements slow. Finally, you hit the dreaded plateau. You stop seeing any gains and your efforts start to yield diminishing returns. It may be obvious, but over time we adapt to new routines. Habitual tasks lack novelty or challenge, and we soon suffer from fatigue, burnout and cognitive saturation. Ironically achieving the exact opposite of wellness. 
 
So, how do we navigate the productivity plateau to stay energised and inspired? According to legendary self-help guru Bob Proctor, it all comes down to accountability: “Accountability is the glue that ties commitment to results.” In this sense, simply sticking at something isn’t enough. We need to build support structures in our lives that hold us to our goals. This has already been proven in the working world, where studies have shown that higher team accountability leads to a greater collective effort – something that’s mirrored in the world of workplace wellness, too.

The psychology of accountability

The time we spend at work has a major impact on our wellbeing, and largely comes down to how we engage with our peers. It’s been shown that exercising with colleagues during working hours is more effective than working out at home alone, and participation in wellness programmes at work are around 50% more likely to succeed – and achieve better results – when peers participate together. There’s a clear link between social accountability and improved wellness at work, but why? 
 
The pattern is at least in part thanks to the social commitment effect, a concept that suggests people are more likely to follow through on actions if they’ve committed to them publicly or made a promise to others. This can be as simple as booking a group class with a friend or telling colleagues you’re running a marathon. We’ve all felt guilty letting people down, or bailing on someone last-minute, because it taps into something primal within us – a desire to appear consistent, reliable and maintain social trust.  
 
The psychology at play when we make a public commitment doesn’t end there, though. It's also been shown that people will change or improve their behaviour simply because they know they’re being observed. Dubbed the Hawthorne Effect, it’s a principle that was established in the 1930s, when a study about lighting conditions at a factory in Chicago inadvertently showed productivity increased when workers knew they were being monitored. Put simply, when we think someone is watching, we change our behaviour.  
 
It may sound slightly eery, but it isn’t a bad thing. In fact, we can leverage our own psychology as a distinct advantage. A great way to do this at work is by establishing a buddy system. Find someone with similar wellness aspirations and team up. Set goals together, attend classes as a pair and agree to hold each other accountable. Taking a ‘social commitment’ approach to physical health like this makes it 95% more likely you’ll achieve your fitness goals.

The energy equation and partner multiplier

Of course, when work gets busy, personal routines slip. Less-than-healthy habits creep in, and we soon find ourselves skipping workouts, crunching through lunch and checking emails out of hours. We do it all in the name of ‘efficiency’ but end up neglecting our wellness in a vicious cycle of reduced productivity, motivation and happiness. This is especially true when relying solely on ourselves. It becomes all-too easy to make excuses and push health and wellness commitments to tomorrow when we have no one else to answer to. 
 
This all changes when we introduce the buddy system, though. Committing to health goals as a team not only encourages us to show up when motivation is low but helps us think twice about our excuses when other areas of our lives – like work – become noisy. Beyond improving our willpower, keeping a fitness regimen with a partner also leads to greater overall gains, like longer average workout times, higher intensity exercise and more fulfilling sessions. 
 
This is all part of the energy equation that keeps us ticking. Exercise boosts physiological energy production, improves circulation and reduces fatigue. It releases hormones like dopamine and endorphins, lowers stress and sharpens cognition, allowing us to work incredibly efficiently. It’s even been shown to increase brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), boosting overall cognitive function. It’s essential for our wellbeing – and doing it with a partner is the most reliable way to stay consistent. 

Establishing accountability for workplace wellness 

It's clear, then, that pursuing our holistic wellbeing goals starts with establishing accountability in our everyday routines. Thankfully, there are lots of group wellness activities and classes today that are designed to fit around our work schedules. When undertaken in a pair, or as part of a larger collective, each of these activities pays dividends over time, both in terms of physical and mental health and community building. Especially when we employ the buddy system.  

Morning yoga or Pilates

Exercising in the morning is not only a great way to start the day, but also a proven productivity booster. Yoga and Pilates reduce stress hormones like cortisol and are perfect for entry-level group classes with a gentle commitment, low barrier to entry and welcoming environment. There’s no better way to prepare for the work day. 
 
Buddy system in action: Book a class with a friend or colleague, practice your flow side-by-side and check in with one another afterwards. 

Lunchtime workouts and classes

One way to guarantee a proper lunch break is to schedule a regular group workout or gym class. Block your calendar and avoid the afternoon energy slump while improving post-break productivity. It’s even better if you work from a co-working space or have access to a shared gym, where you can meet new people while working up a sweat. 
 
Buddy system in action: Set up a group chat and organise workout sessions in advance. Sync your work calendars and classes so you’re fully prepared for the week.

Running club

Joining a club is a great way to leverage community and feel part of something bigger. Running is particularly accessible, as it can be done any time of day, with any number of people. It’s proven to reduce stress, boost mood and improve cognition, plus the more people you run with the more likely you are to keep running.  
 
Buddy system in action: Get updates for events nearby or set up your own club with likeminded colleagues. Together, commit to a certain number of runs per week.

Breathwork, meditation and nutrition

Keeping yourself regulated during the workday is a great way to remain aware and intentional. Taking on a group breathwork or meditation class can prove even more beneficial than solo practice, while inviting a shared vulnerability that improves relationships. You’ll also get the immediate win of reduced stress. 
 
Buddy system in action: Discuss mindfulness with colleagues and friends to gauge interest, then attend workshops together. Take a moment to debrief after class.

Social activities

Workplace wellness isn’t all about sweating it out. Regular social events play an important role in deepening personal relationships with colleagues beyond fitness, providing a platform to combat loneliness and connect. Events like networking sessions, milestone celebrations and team meals all play a part in keeping us healthy. 

Everyday wellness: a weekly agenda

Whether you’re working from Amsterdam or Vienna, Florence or Toulouse, we know first-hand how difficult it can be to establish a supportive community for wellness accountability at work. It’s something our co-working spaces keep top of mind, each deliberately designed to combat the loneliness and isolation felt by many entrepreneurs and freelancers. It’s not only achieved through our open-plan layout, but also through regular events and activities. Here's how a typical wellness-focused week might look: 
 
Monday: Weekly coffee morning to check-in with co-workers and colleagues, then a yin or vinyasa yoga session at 19:00 or 20:00. 
Wednesday: Choose between lunchtime Pilates at 12:00, the after-work HYROX challenge or run club.  
Thursday: Join a rooftop spin class or a garden yoga session. 
Friday: Unwind with weekly OOO drinks at 17:00, inviting all co-workers to decompress after a busy week. 

Mutual mindsets: reframing wellness success

When wellness is social, it’s sustainable. It all comes down to accountability and community, supporting one another on a journey towards everyday betterment. Ultimately, we’re designed to be active, and we’re designed to be social. It’s no surprise, then, that trying to take on a challenge as big as personal wellness without support leads to a productivity plateau, or that making a social commitment returns better results. We’re designed this way and should build healthy routines, habits and mindsets to match. Luckily, we can all start today. Find a likeminded buddy, prioritise accountability and watch your wellness flourish. 
 
If you’re ready to join a community that sweats and succeeds together, look no further than The Social Hub.  
 
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