Better workdays, better headspace: the wellbeing case for coworking
What makes work feel better, especially when you’re doing it on your own
We talk a lot about productivity. But at ko&co workhub, we’re more interested in what makes work feel better, especially when you’re doing it on your own.
Because let’s face it: not all solo workdays are created equal. Some feel light and focused. Remote and solo work have undeniable advantages, such as flexibility, autonomy, and the ability to design your day.
But it also comes with a hidden cost. On other days, you feel like you are talking to your cat about strategy or making a third coffee just for the social interaction. Or worse, the couch beckons you because your motivation is waning.
Behind every Zoom call in activewear, there’s often a quieter story – one about loneliness, blurred boundaries, or simply too much thinking time with no one to bounce off. Working alone, even when productive, can quietly chip away at our energy, creativity and wellbeing.
The Hidden Costs of Remote Work and Working from Home
When we think about workplace wellbeing, our minds often jump to corporate well-being programs, ergonomic chairs and the somewhat awkward team-building days. But what about the people without a traditional workplace? The ones building businesses from home offices, café corners, or wherever the Wi-Fi holds? The ones crafting ideas in silence.
Solopreneurs, small business owners, remote professionals – we’re a growing force in Australia. But we’re also quietly carrying the emotional load of working alone.
According to Buffer’s 2025 State of Remote Work, 56% of remote workers report loneliness as a key challenge, and 71% struggle with work-life boundaries. Back home, MYOB’s Business Monitor shows that 43% of small business owners experienced stress in the past year, and 35% reported anxiety, often due to isolation and lack of structure.
Harvard research has found that professionals outside traditional office setups experience lower psychological safety and less sense of connection. It’s not about missing meetings. It’s about missing meaningful moments, the ones that make work feel human.
The mental health benefits of coworking spaces
Coworking spaces don’t just provide a desk away from home. When done right, they support fundamental human needs as much as professional ones.
Human connection is a basic need... Coworking has taught us about the importance of choice. Community drives connection. The desire for connections with others is part of being human, and people crave to be part of something—to feel a sense of camaraderie and unity.
That need is backed by science. A study in the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology found that shared workspaces can significantly reduce feelings of isolation and improve focus and flow. Meanwhile, Australia’s Safe Work 2023 report highlights the importance of social support and environmental design for mental wellbeing—two things coworking offers in spades when done with heart.
Even casual connections—like bumping into someone in the kitchen—can spark oxytocin and emotional resilience, as noted by Stanford University. Add natural light, a change of scene, and a bit of morning banter? You’ve just created a better workday, without the need to hire an HR department for your solo business!
Ko&co workhub: a coworking space designed for you.
I’ve seen the shift since opening ko&co firsthand. We didn’t just launch a coworking space in South Melbourne – we created a workplace that feels like it gets you. A place where you and I can work alone, but not feel alone.
Where you can knuckle down in focus when you need it, join a conversation when you want connection, and know someone’s got your back if the day gets heavy.
Our members share lunch, swap recommendations, offer insight, and laugh between deep focus sessions. You’re not just renting a desk, you’re joining an energy.
Coworking doesn’t fix everything. But it’s a powerful start. It gives your week rhythm, adds lightness to your day, and keeps you tethered to something outside your inbox.
In a world where so many of us are running our own race, it reminds us we’re not actually doing it alone.
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Whether you come in once a week, join us full-time, or simply try a Sampler, this space is designed for more than just productivity. It was made to support your whole self.
Want to experience the shift? Try our Sampler Pack – 3 flexible coworking days for $100, to use over 8 weeks. No pressure, no awkward intros. Just a calm, community-focused workspace in South Melbourne that feels like it was built for you in mind.
Book your Sampler or explore our memberships if you’re ready to see how a good work environment can change more than your to-do list.
And if you’re curious to see ko&co for yourself – and chat to me about what it means and why I’m building this community for all of us, book a time. Let’s have a coffee in the space.
I can promise good banter, honest conversation, and a few laughs along the way.
Cheers,
Kendra
Founder & Community Manager
