Coworking as a Cure for Loneliness
The COVID epidemic has created a second and related epidemic among remote workers. It’s called the loneliness epidemic.
This loneliness results from many workers spending their days working alone, usually at home, without face-to-face interaction with co-workers that used to happen naturally in an office setting.
The U.S. Surgeon General, Vivek Murthy, formally recognizes the loneliness epidemic. He notes that nearly 40% of adults in the U.S. report feeling lonely, largely attributable to the social distancing measures around remote work. He calls this loneliness an epidemic because loneliness is a health risk. “Loneliness and weak social connections are associated with a reduction in lifespan similar to that caused by smoking 15 cigarettes a day,” he says.
Coworking sites provide relief from loneliness
By taking advantage of coworking spaces, remote workers are finding a cure for the loneliness epidemic. According to a survey by Emergent Research and the Global Coworking Unconference Conference (GCUC), 87% of respondents report that coworking spaces have enabled needed social interactions.
Given coworking’s impact on the loneliness epidemic, it is no surprise that coworking has grown. Globally (and particularly in the U.S) the coworking market size is expected to grow from $13.60 billion in 2021 to $16.17 billion in 2022.
Coworking spaces offer different rental arrangements, many of which are set up to encourage social interactions:
Collaboration spaces. Remote workers from the same company can work together on a project by renting large offices or conference rooms.
Social spaces. Coworkers can mingle and socialize in social rooms and kitchen areas without disturbing others.
Additionally, coworkers may be able to participate in after-hour social events hosted by the coworking space.
The social contract of coworking fights loneliness too
The psychology of coworking plays a role in combatting loneliness. Because coworking spaces are filled with like-minded people who value sharing rather than isolation or social rank, coworkers are less constrained around work hierarchies that may narrow social interaction.
This is not to say that coworking is only about social connections and fighting loneliness. Coworking space is transforming how we work. It’s adding flexibility, helping to reduce commutes, providing a home away from home, boosting productivity and encouraging work collaboration.
Still, the social connections are important. Coworking offers one of the most powerful antidotes to loneliness: meaningful human interactions and a rebuilding of the social fabric that had been torn by the disruption of COVID.