With almost a third of UK workers claiming to suffer from a poor work-life balance, the need for a tranquil, green environment in which to live and escape the pressures and everyday stresses of working life has never been greater.
Eye-opening research on work-life balance conducted by HR technology provider, ADP, found over a third of European workers felt a bad day at work affected their personal life. With the proportion rising to 38% in the UK.
In a world full of smart technology where it can be hard to switch off, a healthy work-life balance is increasingly difficult to achieve but finding the right balance is vital to long-term health and well-being.
With many employers seeking to address the challenge in their workplaces, developers are beginning to factor this into the design and build of new communities. Countesswells, a new community to the west of Aberdeen, has been carefully designed with work-life balance in mind.
Space to relax
Backed by a HM Treasury Guarantee, that enabled significant up-front investment in the landscaping and infrastructure, Countesswells has been designed to be not only, one of the greenest and most attractive places to live in Aberdeen, but also a place where residents can relax and enjoy the outdoors in either formal or informal green spaces and woodland.
This focus on creating the perfect place in which to live, work and play has led to the creation of extensive landscaping, including the planting of over 600 trees and new species of plants, a wildflower meadow, a community orchard and an award-winning children’s playpark. A network of new paths to encourage walkers, cyclists and horse-riders has also improved the connectivity of the two woods on either side of the development.
With these unique spaces in which to relax or explore, the community is encouraged to take part in outdoor activity and exercise – allowing residents to stretch their legs and enjoy the fresh air after a hard day’s work.
A selection of special events and activities for residents include bespoke farmers markets and wildlife exploration days, keeping families entertained and engaged – right on their doorstep.
The new green spaces and introduction of new species of plants has attracted a host of new wildlife, increasing the biodiversity on the site, which has also proved to have a positive impact on health and well-being.
The benefits of gardening on mental health are widely recognised, with studies suggesting that regular gardening can reduce problems like depression and anxiety, whilst combatting stress and high blood pressure. Countesswell’s community orchard provides a communal space, owned by the community, where residents can plant, nurture and prune their own fruit trees.
Flexibility for the modern worker
Working trends and patterns are also evolving with Millenials and Gen Z’ers driving organisational change to create workplaces which are more flexible. Dress down days and work-from-home policies are now the norm. The super-fast broadband installed throughout Countesswells promotes flexible and home-working to further improve work-life balance. The connectivity and speed – 35 times faster than the national average – make home working more feasible for residents who can reliably and securely carry out their work in the comfort of their own home.
The focus on countryside living close to the city, with extensive, new green spaces connected to mature woodland, an increase in biodiversity and the traditional community activies and values from bygone days alongside everything required for modern living, make Countesswells the ideal place to achieve the perfect work-life balance.
For more details about Countesswells, please visit: www.countesswells.com
