The Work-life Insight

The first coworking space emerged in 2005 in San Francisco. By 2007, the word 'coworking’ appeared in Google’s database as trending. And it has only grown since then. There are now over 6,000 coworking spaces in the United States alone.

The coworking market is expected to reach $13.03 billion in 2025, a significant jump from its value of $8.14 billion in 2021. The growth of coworking spaces has signaled a departure from a traditional workplace culture. Regardless of their work structure (full-time/freelance/contractual), more individuals are choosing to work out of coworking spaces. This begs the question, what about coworking spaces appeal to employees?

This growing appeal has played a crucial role in the growth of the industry and has come about because of many factors:

1. Growth of Startups

Start-ups have become the preferred business model, driving the economy and innovation worldwide. The growth of start-ups has played a direct role in the evolution of coworking spaces. Coworking spaces are flexible and affordable - fitting the requirements of start-ups perfectly. As the number of employees grows, start-ups have the option of shifting to larger coworking spaces.

The flexibility that comes with working from a coworking space is unparalleled. As a result, it is the preferred choice amongst start-ups.

2. Flexible Workspaces

Traditional workspaces have a fixed layout which is not viable to change. Coworking spaces have an open design with moveable furniture. This allows individuals who work from there to shift the layout based on their needs. For example, if a company needs to move a few desks to create a collaborative space, it is far easier to do so in a coworking space than in a traditional workspace.

3. A Shift in Primary Focus

Earlier on, a company’s primary goal was to ensure that the workforce, as a whole, felt a sense of oneness. Within this collective sense, an individual employee’s needs were often lost, drowned out by the needs of the company to excel. Growing awareness about mental health and the requirements of employees have changed all that. Companies are placing greater importance on the well-being of their employees. By allowing employees to work from home or in a coworking space rental , companies no longer have to restrict themselves. They can choose worthy candidates who don’t have to move to work for the company.

Coworking spaces, in their essence, have a people-centric design. Their primary focus lies in ensuring people are comfortable and productive.

4. Affordability of Coworking Spaces

The cost of leasing real estate for offices has increased. It has become growingly unaffordable to lease spacious office spaces with amenities. Coworking spaces have proven to be far more affordable and less of a hassle to lease out. Gone are the days of ironclad lease agreements. The world is ever-changing, as are the dynamics of a company. Finding a workspace for a flexible amount of time is now easier, with adjustable physical spaces to fit individual needs.

5. Companies Save on Relocation Allowances and Improve Scope of Hiring

Most companies pay relocation allowances to new hires who live in another city, state, or country. These allowances vary depending on the new hire’s seniority and where they live. To cut costs, companies have reduced out-of-city hires or slashed relocation allowances. As a result, skilled employees from out of town are no longer considered for roles or turn down jobs due to a low relocation allowance.

By allowing employees to work from home or in coworking spaces, companies no longer have to restrict themselves. They can choose worthy candidates who don’t have to move to work for the company.

6. Abundant Workspace Amenities

Coworking spaces offer employees many amenities that offices or work from home cannot provide. These include high-speed wi-fi, gym facilities, collaboration and conference rooms, and break rooms. For those working from home, the chance of distractions is high, and maintaining a high Internet speed isn’t always possible.

7. Employee Engagement Activities

Coworking spaces aren’t just spaces where employees come daily, work, and then leave. These amazing spaces also organize workshops and events for the people who work from the space. Such events benefit them as industry experts, founders of start-ups, and others with experiences to share are invited regularly.

There is also high engagement between different people working in coworking spaces, where they can share ideas, tips, and experiences with each other.

As it can be seen, coworking spaces are no longer the novel concept they once were. Coworking spaces are now becoming the new normal. Spaces like WorkSocial are rapidly growing and adding more locations, making them accessible and a feasible option.

Sources:

https://www.smartworksoffice.com/workforce-trends-that-have-fueled-the-growth-of-coworking-spaces/

‍https://firstsiteguide.com/startup-stats/

‍https://www.uschamber.com/co/start/strategy/coworking-space-vs-traditional-office

Vergo has launched a financial platform built for managing the business finances of designers, builders and architects and is now operating out of WorkSocial’s Jersey City headquarters at 111 Town Square Place, 12th Floor.

Vergo was founded by Richard Kane and Einar Hohenstein in August 2021 for streamlining designers’ accounting and project management needs. The company’s software offers a banking tool that helps industry professionals with estimates, invoicing and every step in between through industry-specific banking features.

In June, Vergo announced that it had secured a $4.1 million seed funding round led by CRV and notable investors like industry-known interior designer Kelly Wearstler in its latest seed funding round. The company plans to grow its 15-person team significantly and will enhance its product offerings through partnerships with industry-oriented retailers. More than 5,000 architects, interior designers and contractors are on the waitlist to join the platform.

“We couldn’t be happier to launch Vergo at WorkSocial’s headquarters,” said Kane. “Jersey City has a strong network of designers, contractors and architects and provides easy access to New York City and surrounding metro areas. We love that we can be in the heart of where our clients are and offer them a financial solution that helps them focus less on banking needs and more on what they do best–creating unique and beautiful spaces.”

WorkSocial’s coworking space New Jersey and New York, offer a hub for entrepreneurs and growing businesses. Recently, the minority and woman-owned coworking company announced the expansion of its Jersey City headquarters to 14,000 sq. ft. from 8,400 ft, increasing its offerings of private offices to rent, day offices, coworking spaces, virtual offices, and conference rooms–with premium amenities including virtual reception service, secure server access, shipping and mailing, onsite notary and complimentary high-speed Wifi, printing, hot breakfast, lunch, beverages and snacks.

“I am proud to welcome Vergo to the WorkSocial community, serving as its home base and expanding network of professional team members and clients,” said Natasha Mohan, CEO and Founder of WorkSocial. “We look to serve businesses across a variety of industries and champion their growth and long-term success. Vergo offers a groundbreaking solution that was desperately needed in the industry, and we look forward to its continued success.”

What does self-care look like to you? Sitting back with a good book, without anyone to disturb you? Or how about baking a delicious cake from scratch? For some, it is going for a run, while for others, it’s all about a day at the spa. It sounds like something most people do, right? Unfortunately, not!

A recent survey revealed a worrying pattern. Only 1 in 3 people in America feel guilty about engaging in an act they consider self-care. And even more worrisome is that 67% of Americans choose to take care of another individual over themselves. Such statistics don’t make for good reading, and it isn’t surprising that 51% of Americans experience some form of burnout.

These statistics haven’t been placed to alarm you. Instead, they point out how prevalent a lack of self-care is in the country and how little people think about it.

Waiting to the point of burnout isn’t the goal, nor is feeling overwhelmed about how to start on this path to self-care. Often, nothing is eventually done. Creating pockets of self-care is an even middle ground on what seems to be a tumultuous path.

‍What is a pocket of self-care?

‍A pocket of self-care is a small window of time taken out of an otherwise busy day to do even one thing considered self-care. For a busy person, it can often feel like an impossible task. But start small and slowly add more time to these pockets of self-care. It can be as short as taking out 5 minutes from the day to do something centering and calming. Make it a habit and try to track it using an app or even just pen and paper. Once a pattern is established, add a few minutes to the self-care pocket. Soon, it won’t feel like a herculean task to take out some time for yourself.

‍What does self-care look like?

‍Self-care isn’t always a glamorous activity. It may not always be spa days and indulgent shopping trips. More often than not, it will be the active decision to take a moment and take care of yourself. What is self-care for you may not be self-care for another. For example, if you have difficulty exercising or aren’t in the best shape, your self-care may end up being going for a short walk. In comparison, someone who loves to work out may not have difficulty finding a moment of their day to do so.

Self-care can feel challenging at times as it may involve you doing something that makes you uncomfortable. It could mean finally seeing a therapist or cutting toxic friends out of your life. Self-care comes in the form of saying no to that one extra drink or staying in to get some sleep instead of a night out with friends.

‍What are some forms of self-care?

‍There are many different kinds of self-care. Here’s a look at each kind, along with ways in which you can perform self-care-related acts.

1. Physical Self-CarePhysical self-care ensures your body feels healthy, nourished, and running efficiently. The body and mind have a strong connection; hence, the better you feel…, the better you think. Acts of physical self-care for those who are busy can include-
   • Quick lunch break walks. Take along a colleague or a friend. Or, if you want some time alone, listen to your favorite song or audiobook.
   • Short meditation and breathwork sessions. If you work from an office or a coworking space such as WorkSocial, form a small club and invite others!
   • Eat healthy and nourishing food. If you don’t have the time to cook, sign up for a lunch service or meal prep for the week ahead every Sunday.
2. Social Self-CarePeople thrive through social contact. When you’re feeling low, talk to your friends! Face-to-face contact with other people will recharge your social battery and fuel your soul.
   • If you work from home, crave social contact, or find yourself isolated, coworking space for rent are a great place to meet people. Conversations with new people also help you open your mind to new possibilities.
   • Social self-care isn’t all positive. It also requires removing toxic people from your life and staying away from those that don’t add value to it.
   • A text message takes a minute to type and a millisecond to send. Don’t hesitate to reach out.
3. Emotional Self-CareDo you find yourself feeling drained, overstretched, and emotionally unavailable? Learning the appropriate coping mechanisms for uncomfortable emotions such as anxiety, sadness, and fear is essential.
   • Talk to a licensed therapist and learn healthy coping mechanisms
   • Learn to say no! Don’t feel guilty about not having the emotional bandwidth to take on more than you can handle.
   • Talk to friends and family about what you’re feeling, don’t let emotions bubble up... cope with them as they come to you.

Some FAQs About Self-Care

1. How do I start my journey of self-care? Start with taking a small amount of time out every day and making a habit of it.
2. What happens if I ignore my self-care? You will experience burnout eventually and find yourself lethargic, irritable, and unable to focus.
3. How can I engage with coworkers and make friends? Social interactions are a great form of self-care, and coworking spaces, such as WorkSocial, are a great place to make friends. Start a book club, a lunch potluck, or a puzzle-solving group!

Self-care is at the core of a healthy life - physical, mental, and emotional. Even amidst a busy work schedule, taking small steps is essential to a holistic sense of health.

‍Sources

‍https://www.apa.org/gradpsych/2014/04/corner

‍https://www.birchbox.com/guide/article/how-to-practice-self-care

‍https://www.verywellmind.com/self-care-strategies-overall-stress-reduction-3144729

There is a very famous image that shows the evolution of man over our time on this planet; the first image is that of our common ancestors from millions of years ago, to the final image which is that of a Homo Sapiens.

However, in modern times, there has been a humorous update to this image, which is meant to lightheartedly illustrate the fact that we have become very unhealthy as a species, especially with regards to our overall eating habits and exercise routines.

As you can see, the latest version of mankind is depicted as being unhealthy and unfit; this is represented by the obesity of the man in the image, as well the fact that the person is seen consuming fast food. While this particular image focuses on the physical health of human beings, there is another parody version that has been created that speaks to the decline of our collective mental health as well.

As you can clearly see from the image above, the pitfalls of  the technological revolution are being pointed out to us. There is no doubt that technology and science have benefited mankind greatly, but there is also a danger that comes along with these technological leaps and advances…as we become increasingly addicted to our screens and devices - we start to slump, both metaphorically and literally, into a state where our ability to engage with the ‘real world’ becomes more and more diminished.

To surmise, these parody images have been created for a very specific reason. They are based on a classical image which is a very important educational tool, and is surely taught to all young schoolchildren as part of the education on the science of evolution.  However, by highlighting the unhealthy, fast-food eating man, as well as the slumped over man buried in his screen, the message that we are supposed to imbibe is to remember where we have come from. We need to make sure that we do not lose out on our physical and mental health just because of the conveniences of modern life, and the advances of technology and science.

In the modern workplace, regardless of whether we are working from a physical office, or from the comfort of our home, we know that there is a tendency to engage in unhealthy habits. These could range from not keeping regular timings for meals, not getting enough sleep, taking on high levels of pressure, engaging in behaviours like stress eating and snacking, spending too much time constantly staring at our screens, and simply not taking enough time for ourselves to unwind and relax.

This is why modern  coworking spaces are designed in such a way that help employees minimize unhealthy behaviours and maximize good habits. There are snack areas that are loaded with healthy snacking options, partnerships with local exercise centres and gyms to make sure that employees are regularly working out, and various office design elements that make it easy for individuals to recognize that they need to take a break from their screens and just decompress for a while, before getting back to work.

So besides helping your employees to stay fit by shifting your office location to a convenient coworking space, let us look at some of the main behaviors that you can encourage your workforce to engage in. These pointers will help to ensure that they stay fit physically as well as mentally. Overall, this will lead to a level of mental sharpness which creates a win-win situation. Your employees will be happy because they are feeling great and sharp, and your business will certainly benefit from reaping the full potential of your workers' mental faculties.

1. Staying physically active: When we talk about being physically active, we are essentially talking about movement. You must have heard health care professionals talk about how 45 minutes of exercise, between four to five times a week is a must in the modern world. Now, the nature of that exercise is entirely up to one’s personal preferences. There are some people that may enjoy going for a run or a bike ride. There are others that may enjoy playing a sport, going for a swim, or having a workout session in the gym. There are still others who may enjoy instructor lead group classes for things like yoga, pilates, and so forth. So, from a convenience perspective, partnering with a coworking office space that has tie-ups with several exercise centers and sports facilities that give your employees as many options as possible is great.

2. Getting adequate and high quality sleep: When we talk about sleep, it is very important to note that we need to understand that sleep is restful and restorative when it is of an adequate duration, and of an adequate quality. You may be sleeping for 8 hours a night, but unless you are able to enter what is known as the stage of REM sleep, you may find that you are waking up tired and groggy. There are simple hacks that everyone can engage in to ensure that they are getting adequate REM sleep. These hacks include making sure that you do not have any screen time/blue light exposure, at least an hour before your bedtime. You can also speak to your healthcare provider about supplements like melatonin, or you can always opt for natural remedies like chamomile teas and so on.

3. Quitting smoking: It has been definitively established that tobacco use is bad for overall health and longevity. If you are someone that smokes, or you have employees that are smokers and need frequent smoke breaks to get through the day, you need to consider some proactive options to nip this disastrous habit in the bud. Oftentimes, individuals become habituated to smoke breaks, but even a simple strategy like giving employees interesting ways to enjoy a break without having to reach for a cigarette can help to break this deadly habit. This is another place where coworking spaces are very helpful, as there are several break rooms that have a number of fun activities that can serve as a substitute for a smoke break.

4. Having good social networks/interactions/connections: As we have all experienced in the modern world of social media, we are often obsessed with how many times our virtual presence is noticed, how many ‘likes’ and ‘comments’ we get on our updates and posts, and so on. What happens in this process, is that our propensity to pay attention to our human, in-person relationships begins to falter. When this happens, we lose out on a critical component of what makes us uniquely human, namely our physical interactions and connections with other members of our species. We need to guard against becoming too obsessed and involved in the world of our electronic devices and social networks, and remember to maintain the real, in-person relationships that we have.

5. Reducing alcohol intake: After a long day at work, many individuals turn to alcohol in order to unwind and relax. This is not a good option as it is something that has a profoundly negative effect on one’s physical health, mental health, financial health, relationships, and so on. Alcohol also has a very negative impact on something we discussed earlier, namely REM sleep. While alcohol may help some people to fall asleep faster, there is no doubt that the quality of their sleep will be severely impacted. If you or your employees have expressed issues with excess alcohol consumption, make sure that you try and organize informational sessions that not only talk about the dangers of alcohol, but also point individuals in the direction of the help and support that they may need in order to abstain from alcohol altogether. Recovery from alcohol addiction is something that requires a lot of support and employers need to be sensitive about this. Even if you have employees that do not have a drinking problem, but enjoy an occasional drink, you should make sure that they understand the prescribed quantities that are deemed appropriate by medical professionals.

6. Following a healthy and appropriate diet: In today’s world, there are constantly a number of fad diets that are being talked about. Rather than allowing one of these diets blindly, you should consult your healthcare professional, and create a diet that is optimized for you, taking into account any food allergies or sensitivities that you may have. For example, some popular diets may recommend consumption of grains, but there may be some individuals that have allergies to those grains, and therefore, that particular part of the diet is not appropriate for them. Finding the right diet for you, in conjunction with advice from your doctor or healthcare provider, is the absolute need of the hour in the modern world, where food options are virtually boundless. Of course, it goes without saying that whatever diet you find works best for you, it is always best to limit or avoid consumption of unhealthy fast foods.

‍Conclusion

‍We need to be mindful of the two parody images that we saw at the beginning of this article. Behind the humour, there is a very important lesson that we must never forget… we need to take care of our physical, mental, and emotional health. This will allow us to stay mentally sharp, work better and more efficiently, and have more time to ourselves. Remember, employees who have a sharp mind are not only happy and satisfied workers, but also very productive resources. While the list above may seem quite detailed and exhaustive, remember that, as an employer you always have the option to partner with coworking spaces that will help you create the ideal environment for your employees to follow all of the tenants mentioned above. In doing so, you will go a long way in helping yourself and your employees keep your minds sharp at any age.

Cynthia Renta to lead Educational Arts Team‍

The Educational Arts Team has appointed Cynthia Renta as its new executive director. Renta takes over the role from outgoing interim director, Betsy Vorce. Vorce assumed leadership of the organization in June 2021 upon the retirement of Carmine Tabone, the Team’s previous executive director and co-founder.

As Educational Arts Team’s executive director, she will lead planning and execution for all programs and activities – including the popular Camp Liberty summer program – ensuring that all adhere to the organization’s principles of diversity, equity and inclusion. Renta’s mandate includes building relationships with key stakeholders in Hudson County government and community with the objective of furthering programming, funding and advocacy.

A native of Jersey City, Renta joins the Team from the Center for Supportive Schools where she has worked for the past six years, most recently as senior community school director. In this role, she directed the community school strategy across five schools in Jersey City. Prior to that, Renta also directed the Newark YMCA (Jersey City based satellite office), implementing 21st Century Learning Centers’ after-school and summer camp programming that served children and families across Jersey City. She has more than 20 years of experience creating, producing and directing community-participatory art programming as an artist, teaching artist and non-profit leader in Jersey City, the California Bay Area, and New York City. She has primarily focused on social equity, creative placemaking, youth development, restorative practices, and parent and community engagement.

Renta’s hire is right ahead of Camp Liberty’s opening on June 27 where she will be on hand to meet campers and their parents. The camp’s sessions run until Aug 19 for children and teens between the ages of 6 and 15.

WorkSocial announces Jersey City HQ expansion

WorkSocial, provides coworking spaces in New Jersey and New York offering private, shared and virtual offices and flexible solutions that match the individual needs of businesses, is expanding its Jersey City headquarters at 111 Town Square Place, 12th Floor.

The expansion brings the size of its headquarters to 14,000 square feet from 8,400, and will increase the company’s number of for  rent private office space , day offices, co-working spaces, virtual offices, and conference rooms with premium amenities including virtual reception service, secure server access, shipping and mailing, onsite notary and complimentary high-speed Wifi, printing, hot breakfast, lunch, beverages and snacks. About 3,000 square feet of the new expansion space has already been allocated to a nationally recognized business.

Since the company’s inception in 2015, WorkSocial has expanded its real estate portfolio from 4,400 to 18,000 square feet and has seen 100-percent organic growth year over year.

New Thai restaurant in Jersey City

JerseyDigs.com recently reported that a new Thai restaurant, Kinsen, has opened in Jersey City on the ground floor of 80 Wayne St. The restaurant has dine-on services with menu items under $20. Kinsen is open seven days a week from noon until 9:30 p.m. and can be found on Instagram at @kinsenjerseycity.

‍Harrison branch of Kearny Bank has new manager

‍Kaywal “Andy” Ganesh, a Jersey City resident, is the new assistant vice president / retail relationship manager at Kearny Bank’s Harrison branch. In this role, Ganesh is responsible for day-to-day operations at the 534 Harrison Ave., location, including all aspects of client experience activities, operations, and sales development.

He comes to Harrison from Kearny Bank’s Hoboken branch, where he served as retail client experience manager. Prior to joining Kearny Bank, Ganesh was a senior relationship banker with another financial services institution. In addition, he has experience working within the online banking sector.

A Hudson County Community College graduate, Ganesh is actively involved in his community. He founded and is president of the New Jersey Mariamman Kovil Corp., while also being a member of the United Madrassi Association.

‍Weichert, Realtors’ cites associates for achievements

‍Weichert, Realtors has announced that two top-producing sales associates with the Jersey City Exchange Place office were recognized for outstanding industry achievement at the regional level in May. Brian Anthony Lopes had the most revenue units and sales in the Weichert sales region. Christopher Amberg had the highest dollar volume in May.It was also announced that at Weichert’s Jersey City Downtown office, two top-producing sales associates and a top team were recognized for outstanding performance in May. The Jersey City Downtown office, which is managed by Robert Sanchez, led the Weichert sales region in five categories: dollar volume, dollar volume from Weichert.com transactions, listings, revenue units and sales. Individually, Barbare Rofsky had the highest dollar volume from Weichert.com transactions in the region and Rajshree Banerjee had the most listings. Among teams in the region, the Nader Rezai Team led the Weichert sales region for dollar volume, listings, revenue units and sales in May.

Also, the Bayonne office and a top-producing sales associate were recognized for exceptional sales achievement at the regional level in April. The Bayonne office, which is managed by Jacqueline Greco, had the highest dollar volume from Weichert.com transactions in the Weichert sales region for the month. Individually, Sanjay Mittal led the region in the same category.

Food truck to open restaurant in Jersey City

The seafood food truck known as Angry Archie’s is planning on opening its first brick-and-mortar restaurant in the Heights neighborhood in Jersey City sometime later this year, according to a report from jerseydigs.com.

Angry Archie’s began in 2015 when it was founded by chef Chris Curado and his cousin, Michael Ponte, and it has been a part of Jersey City’s Smorgasburg and Hoboken’s Pier 13 among other Hudson County locations.

The announcement came from their Instagram page (https://www.instagram.com/p/CewsT6trCMV/), which says that the new restaurant will find its home at 565 Palisades Ave., Jersey City, in the Fall 2022 season.

‍Hoboken pizzeria expands to Jersey City

‍Basile’s Pizza, located at 89 Washington St., Hoboken, is planning on opening its second location in Jersey City, according to a report from jerseydigs.com. The pizzeria will find its first Jersey City location at the Grove Street Path Plaza at 116 Newark Ave. and will be replacing El Barrios Burritos. Jersey City’s Historic Downtown Special Improvement District made the announcement on their Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/p/CewJH29r8HT/.

‍Three Thirds Cafe opens on Jersey City’s West Side

‍Three Thirds Cafe is now open on the ground floor retail space in the 3 Acres luxury rental community located at 400 Claremont Ave., Jersey City. The new eatery has been introduced to the neighborhood by the team behind Amelia’s Bistro, a restaurant in Jersey City’s Paulus Hook.

The café features local goods with beans sourced from Modcup coffee roasters and baked goods from Baltazhar Bakery. In addition to offering classic caffeine induced beverages like coffee and cappuccino, there are season-specific specialty drinks. The food menu consists largely of breads, pastries scones, muffins, and waffles. The cafe is open daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Three Thirds Cafe is part of an onsite retail experience at 3 Acres that will also soon feature The Lobby Bar and Table at 3 Acres restaurant.

‍NY Waterway service returns to Port Liberte in August

‍NY Waterway announced the restoration its Port Liberte ferry service beginning Monday, Aug 1. The ferries will offer direct service from the Port Liberte development in Jersey City to Paulus Hook and Wall Street, with connecting service to World Financial Center and Midtown.

The route has been suspended since 2020 due to the pandemic. NY Waterway is restarting service on a trial basis between August and October and will assess future service based on ridership.

As part of the relaunch, NY Waterway will offer Port Liberte residents a 10 percent discount on tickets and passes, available through the Port Liberte Homeowners Association. NY Waterway and the Homeowners Association will work together to promote the discount directly to qualifying residents.

Ferries from Port Liberte will stop at Paulus Hook in Jersey City and proceed to Pier 11/Wall Street. Riders can transfer at Paulus Hook for free connecting service to World Financial Center and Midtown. Full Port Liberte ferry schedules and fares can be found at nywaterway.com/PortLiberte.

The pandemic changed life as we know it, with people isolating and weathering the storm of the pandemic - primarily alone or with an intimate circle of family and friends. The concepts of resilience and survival were turned on their heads, and people felt they had to go it alone. But before a deep dive into building resilience, it is pertinent to ask… What is resilience?

Meaning of ‘Resilience’

Resilience can be defined as an individual’s ability to adapt to their circumstances and “bounce back” from situations that hamper the journey to their ultimate goals.

From this definition alone, it is clear that resilience is a subjective concept and can hold myriad meanings. However, one thing is clear… one must be resilient to progress. It would be overreaching to say that an individual can be resilient in all fields of their life. But there are fields well-within control, such as professional and work environments.

Resilience at Work

Workspaces give an individual a chance to find positive, resilient role models, engage in social interactions, and diversify their social circle. Resilience in the workplace has a trickle-down effect. A resilient employee works better, can handle tasks more effectively, and contributes to a better work environment. Coworking spaces, such as WorkSocial, allow interaction with people from all walks of life - each of whom brings diverse experiences to the table. In turn, such social interactions can improve an individual’s resilience and ability to handle situations.

How to Build Resilience at Work

‘Resilience’ isn’t a linear construct and encompasses attitudes, thoughts, and actions. Here are a few days to build resilience while keeping these avenues in mind.

1. Have Personal Goals
   Create a list of goals outside of the ones stipulated by work. It can overlap with work but should be geared towards personal development - even in the workplace. For example - a goal can be to be more communicative with coworkers.
   ‍

1. Develop Secure Attachments
   It is vital to depend on coworkers for support - both for work-related guidance and emotional reinforcement. However, it is essential to be attentive while choosing said support systems. Be mindful of their behaviors, commitments to work, and the kind of support they provide.
   ‍‍
2. Be Firm with Boundaries
   ‍Being resilient has much to do with health - both mental and physical. An overworked individual is in no place to stand tall against challenges thrown at them each day. Be aware of limitations and be realistic about timelines.
   ‍
3. ‍Cut Out the Bad Stress
   Not all stress is the same. Good stress, or ‘eudaemonic stress,’ is a motivational factor that leads to peak performance. Bad stress, or ‘distress,’ does the opposite and leads to health issues and burnout over time. Keep the stress to a minimum and focus on the good.
   ‍‍
4. Take Breaks
   Taking a break isn’t limited to a stretch and a cup of coffee. It also involves switching the mind off and indulging in something like a short walk or a brief moment of meditation
   ‍‍
5. Take Breaks
   Taking a break isn’t limited to a stretch and a cup of coffee. It also involves switching the mind off and indulging in something like a short walk or a brief moment of meditation.
   ‍‍
6. Be Mindful
   ‍As the name suggests, being mindful refers to being engaged and aware of thoughts and actions. It is acting after thinking rather than reacting thoughtlessly. Mindfulness toward others and having conscious interactions helps build a resilient self.
   ‍
7. Make Health a Priority
   Physical health affects mental health and vice versa. Along with being mindful and giving the mind a break… do the same for the body. Exercise and nourish the body, and the mind will follow.

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In the wake of the pandemic, most employees have shifted to working from home. As a result, people find themselves disengaging from others and working solo. In such cases, working from a coworking space is beneficial as it facilitates interaction and allows for meaningful engagements. A sense of community resilience comes into play where no individual tackles unpleasant feelings alone. People working beside each other also have the opportunity to share collective learnings and provide support to each other.

Some Frequently Asked Questions About Resilience

1. What are some ways to take a break at work?
   Listening to guided meditations and an effective way to combat stress. An alternative is to take a short walk outside before returning to work.
   ‍‍
2. What happens if you’re not resilient?
   Those who have difficulties being resilient may find that minor issues or problems bother them; they often fixate on the problem rather than the solution or feel burnt out and cranky.
   ‍‍
3. Where to start if you’re not feeling resilient.
   ‍A surefire way to build resilience is to build meaningful relationships. This can be with friends, family, coworkers, or even new people. Meaningful engagements add a sense of purpose to life.
   ‍
4. ‍What are some simple ways to be mindful?
   ‍Set an intention for the day first thing in the morning - it ensures that you spend your day with purpose. Another simple way to be mindful is to enjoy eating mindfully. Switch off distractions and focus on your food

Sources -

‍https://hbr.org/2016/06/627-building-resilience-ic-5-ways-to-build-your-personal-resilience-at-work

‍https://www.highspeedtraining.co.uk/hub/resilience-in-the-workplace/

‍https://positivepsychology.com/resilience-in-the-workplace/

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As human beings, we tend to have short-term memories and forget our past. Therefore the adage, “Those who cannot remember their history are condemned to repeat it,” is taught to all of us as schoolchildren. This advice is just as applicable to the corporate world as it highlights the importance of understanding the evolution of processes, systems, and overall work culture philosophies. Most young people today cannot believe that as recently as twenty years ago, most companies kept physical records of all their documents and often had huge rooms dedicated to this need alone. Similarly, individuals of a younger age have trouble believing that until the advent of computers, the vast majority of jobs in the world involved blue-collar work, meaning that physical labor was the most critical aspect of one’s job. Think about one of the most common blue-collar jobs you can imagine: working on an assembly line in a factory. In this sort of scenario, a worker was literally a resource that was only of value when they were physically present and performing their duties on the line. The concept of work-from-home had no meaning because any and all work could only be performed on the factory floor. However, even with the advent of the computer age, when jobs started to become less physical-labor-intensive, the idea of working from the comfort of your home was far from a reality. Being physically present at your workplace was not only expected, but attendance was mandatory. The human resources division would quickly pull you up if you missed more than a few days. The pandemic changed all of this; as individuals were forced to work from home, the entire world realized that maybe there was a more innovative and better way to work.

The Shift From Human Resources To Human Relations

The pandemic led to many unforeseen situations, and the corporate world had to adapt quickly. However, several unique changes took place that will undoubtedly leave an indelible mark on the future of global work culture. As employees started to return to their workplaces, employers saw the benefit of creating hybrid work models, where individuals could come into the office on some days and continue to work from home on other days. The result was a win-win situation for everyone…employers saw that there was a visible increase in productivity, creativity, drive, employee satisfaction, and so on; employees realized that they could create a much healthier work-life balance and, in so doing, find a much deeper sense of purpose, and a much higher degree of mental health. In essence, the human resources department shifted its philosophy from being ‘resource oriented’ to being ‘relations oriented.’ Expressed in simple words, this means that HR departments across the world saw a marked shift from thinking about how to get the most out of a given employee resource and instead focusing on other things such as employee wellness and satisfaction. By doing this, it was observed that the outcomes were better for the employees and the company. It is simple, if you think about it, right? Happier employees make for better workers, and better workers produce better quality work at a better efficiency, which only leads to better outcomes and profits for the company.

The Ascendance Of The Hybrid Model

Another significant consequence of the ascendance of the hybrid working model has been that companies do not have to invest huge sums of money into physical locations any more. Since employees only need a physical location to work out of on selective times and dates, the eco-system of co-working spaces has grown by leaps and bounds in order to meet this need. In times past, when a company said that they were shutting down their physical office space, it was something that spelled doom, and usually implied that the company was about to go out of business, or had in fact, already gone out of business. Today, when a company shuts its physical office, it is usually a sign that they are moving from a human resources model to a human relations model, where they value their employees work-life balance and mental well-being. Co-working spaces like Worksocial have been at the forefront of this trend, and are always looking to help organisations transition into the new age of corporate work, with the hybrid work model being of utmost importance.

Conclusion

If you are running your own business, or if you work for the HR department of a company, you will surely have noticed the trends that we have discussed in the article today. As is always the case in history, those who see change coming, and embrace it, rather than try to run away from it, are the ones who are most successful in the long run. So if you have not already transitioned your company’s physical location to one of the co-working spaces available in your area, consider doing so sooner rather than later, and make sure that you are on the right side of the history of corporate evolution.

Unique Corporations with Headquarters in Hoboken and Jersey City

Famously, Hoboken was known for being the home of the Maxwell’s Coffee plant as well as the birthplace of zippers and baseball. It’s home to many local businesses, recording studios, and shops, but some companies that have garnered international acclaim are actually headquartered in the Hoboken and Jersey City area. From clean beauty to cupcakes and everything in between, here are some unique corporations with headquarters in Hoboken and Jersey City.

AvePoint | 525 Washington Boulevard #1400, Jersey City

AvePoint is a company offering software as a service (SaaS) and data management platform, is headquartered in Jersey City. Its primary operations center is in Richmond, Virginia. It helps move, organize, and protect data in Microsoft 365. What’s more, it has over 9 million cloud users. Its goal is to help make companies more productive, compliant, and secure.

Bear Mattress | 720 Monroe Street c508, Hoboken

Family-owned business Bear Mattress jumped onto the scene 25 years ago. The company designs mattresses built for performance: it hires athletes, chiropractors, and fitness coaches to ensure the mattress optimizes physical activity. The result is a mattress that improves sleep quality and aids in recovery.Read More: A List of Black-Owned Businesses to Support in Hoboken + Jersey City

Carlo’s Bakery | 631 Grove Street, Jersey City

Of course, Carlo’s is one of the most well-known businesses in the area. The Hoboken storefront gathers lineups from international visitors, but the head office is actually in Jersey City. Located in the Lackawanna Center, the Jersey City head office makes sure all of the magic happens in Hoboken and around the globe.

Happy Box | 720 Monroe Street, Hoboken

Happy Box was founded by two sisters who would help cheer each other up when they were younger with little gift boxes. Happy Box’s goal is to make gift-giving fun, personal, and easy. The company puts together unique packages to help make the special people in your life smile. Though the company is small, its headquarters are proudly based in Hoboken.

Hudson Space Systems | 1400 Adams Street, Hoboken

Hudson Space Systems is certainly a unique company. Based in Hoboken, it provides what it calls microgravity as a service. Its goal is to make manufacturing and research in microgravity as simple as possible by enabling access to and removing barriers from microgravity environments not available on Earth.

Kipling | 525 Washington Boulevard, Jersey City

Kipling is a bag brand that offers handbags, luggage, backpacks, and more. It is headquartered in Newport Tower. Each piece is made with lightweight, quality materials and is designed to celebrate individuality. The brand is big on inclusivity, too, and often participates in initiatives to highlight marginalized and underserved communities.

Marty Gottlieb Photography | 720 Monroe Street, 5th Floor, Hoboken

Internationally-famous photographer Marty Gottlieb is a Hoboken resident, and he manages his business out of the Monroe Center for the Arts. He’s photographed many celebrities and has even been featured on fellow New Jersey icon Wendy Williams’ television show. He’s also photographed many Mr. America contests — and he’s actually the official photographer for the competition.

Partake Foods | 25 Park Lane, Jersey City

This Jersey City-based food company makes vegan and gluten-free cookies. The cookies are also completely free of the top 9 allergens, making these snacks a great choice for almost anyone. The company was founded by Denise, a proud woman of color, who additionally founded a fellowship program that mentors HBCU students.

Payaru | 38 Jackson Street, Hoboken

This clean beauty company is headquartered in the Mile Square. The non-toxic, eco-friendly company offers skincare — including face scrubs and face oils — that are good for the skin and good for the earth. The manufacturing is done right in the United States and handled at the head office on Jackson Street.

RSVLTS | 300 Observer Highway, Hoboken

Pronounced Roosevelts, this clothing company is headquartered on Observer Highway. Though the headquarters are currently temporarily closed, the brand is most certainly not. RSVLTS makes clothes inspired by pop culture, paying homage to everything from Luke Skywalker to the WWE. Each piece is bold and fun and helps the wearer show off their personality.See More: Places in Hoboken + Jersey City to Work From Home

WorkSocial | 111 Town Square Place, 12th Floor, Jersey City

WorkSocial is a coworking space company in New Jersey and New York. WorkSocial is headquartered in Jersey City and recently announced an expansion of its JC headquarters to 14,000 square feet from 8,400 square feet. This means the Jersey City spot will grow its number of private offices, day offices, coworking spaces, virtual offices, and conference rooms.

ZOKU | 720 Monroe Street, Hoboken

ZOKU is a national Hoboken-based business co-owned by Chris Green, Yos Kumthampinij, and Ken Zorovich. The company focuses on home products designed to make life easier. From drinkware, food storage, and ice pop molds to recipe books, kids products, and an eco-friendly collection, ZOKU has so many products to choose from.

Every week, we gather the highlights you missed in the news this week in Hoboken + Jersey City. Among the local headlines: the Hoboken City Council approved a one-year contract for the community to use the pool at Stevens; Jersey City is set to receive $426K to beautify the community; Drag Queen Story Hour returns to the Hoboken Public Library; and so much more. Keep reading for all the news you missed this week in Hoboken, Jersey City, + beyond.

Hoboken Early Voting Underway for Primary Election

In-person early voting for the Tuesday, June 7th Primary Election is available until 6PM on Sunday, June 5th. Registered voters can cast their ballot in person, using a voting machine in the conference room on the first floor of Hoboken City Hall. Residents can also cast their ballot at their registered polling place on Tuesday, June 7th from 6AM to 8PM.

Salt + Ginger Opens on Grove Street in Jersey City

A new restaurant has taken over the former spot of Wild Fusion. Salt + Ginger,a new Chinese eatery, has opened at 313 Grove Street in downtown Jersey City. The location joins several other restaurants on Grove Street across from Jersey City Hall, within a short walk from the Grove Street PATH station. The restaurant is still in its soft opening stages, but it’s already a hit among the community. Click here to read about Salt + Ginger, now open in Jersey City.

Jersey City’s New Thanh Hoai Closes Permanently

New Thanh Hoai, located at 234 10th Street in Jersey City, has officially closed as of Tuesday, May 31st, per Jersey City Upfront. The restaurant featured an extensive menu including pho and short rib noodle soup.

City of Hoboken Kicks Off Pride Events on Monday

Starting at 5PM on Monday, June 6th, the City of Hoboken is kicking off a series of events for Pride Month. The first event includes a flag raising at City Hall, located at 94 Washington Street. Click here for the full list of events.

Peruvian + Italian Fusion Restaurant ‘Ragazzo’ Opens in The Heights

Ragazzo Restaurant, an Italian and Peruvian eatery, recently opened in The Heights in Jersey City. Ragazzo is more than a fusion restaurant — it’s a partnership between a mom from Peru who loves to cook and an Italian man from a popular pizzeria in town. Click here to read about Ragazzo Restaurant, located at 3417 John F. Kennedy Boulevard.

Annual Jersey City Jazz Festival Returns to Arts District

The Powerhouse Arts District in Jersey City is scheduled to be full of music this weekend, per NJ.com. On Sunday, June 5th, local bands will play live music on two stages set up in the lot at 107 Morgan Street. Before becoming an annual event, the Jersey City Jazz Festival began in 2013 as a community concert.

2 Hoboken Farmers Markets Officially Open This Week

Two city-run farmers markets will be officially opening for the season next week. The Southwest Park Farmers Market is brand new and it will be open on Thursdays starting on June 9th. The Church Square Park Farmers Market returns for its 26th season on Tuesday, June 7th. Click here to read more about these farmers markets.

City of Hoboken Signs One-Year Contract to Use Stevens Pool for Residents

On Wednesday, June 1st, the Hoboken City Council voted on a proposed one-year contract to use the pool at Stevens Institute of Technology. According to Patch, users must be Hoboken residents and vaccinated against COVID-19. As of right now, an opening date has not been set. Click here to read more about what we know.

Police + Bystander Revive Man Aboard Train at Hoboken PATH Station

Port Authority Police and a bystander saved a man in a medical emergency onboard a train, per Tap Into. The incident happened at the Hoboken PATH station on Thursday, May 26th. The police officers and the bystander, who was a physician’s assistant, were able to revive the man and transport him to Christ’s Hospital in Jersey City.

Jersey City Receives Over $426K to Beautify Neighborhoods

Jersey City is set to receive over $426K to remove litter and beautify the community, per Tap Into. This money comes from a Clean Communities grant. This is just one grant that will be given in New Jersey as The Department of Environmental Protection distributed more than $21.4 million in Clean Communities grants.

Jersey City to Vote on New Public Library Branch Location

On Thursday, June 16th, the Jersey City Council will vote on the possible location for a new branch of the Free Public Library, per Jersey Digs. A newly finished development located at 297 Johnston Avenue in Jersey City has 8,000 square feet of ground floor space the city acquired the rights to. The council will vote on whether or not this space is ideal for this specific project.

World’s Largest Ice Cream Eating Contest Happening in Hoboken On 6/12

The “Mile Square Meltdown” ice cream festival will be on June 12th and it will also include the “largest ice cream eating contest in the world,” per Patch. More than 160 people have signed up to compete. This event will be part of the monthly Artisan Market run by Main Street Pops. The ticket sales will be donated to the Hoboken Family Alliance in order to help support the annual summer food drive.

Hoboken Continues Paving Roads: An Update

Hoboken is continuing to pave roads, per Patch. They recently repaved 14th Street as a part of the city’s 2022 Resurfacing and Complete Streets Program. For more information on the construction schedule for the city, you can click here.

Hoboken’s BookBike is Back to Lend/Return Library Materials

Hoboken’s BookBike will once again be hitting the streets this month, per Tap Into. This bike will begin to be out twice a week and it will lend and return library materials, share wireless internet, and even issue library cards. The first day it is out will be June 6th at Pier A Park on 100 Sinatra Drive.

$25 Million Loan Approved to Refinance Hoboken’s ShopRite

JLL has arranged a $25 million loan for the refinancing of a shopping center, per Rebusiness Online. Grocer ShopRite, located at 900 Madison Avenue in Hoboken, will be fully leased by the time the loan closes. The loan carries a 10-year term and a fixed interest rate.

Jersey City to Establish Early Dismissal on Hot Days

Jersey City Public Schools’ Interim Superintendent Norma Fernandez says that she is hoping to establish a policy that will allow for early dismissal on hot days, per NJ.com. This helps keep students and teachers out of the sweltering classrooms. Out of the 46 buildings owned by the school district, 33 of them do not have air conditioning.

Jersey City Night Market is Back at City Hall

The Jersey City Night Market returns to help the community support small businesses, per NJ.com. The first night market of the year was on Saturday, June 4th from 4PM to 10PM at the City Hall Lot on Marin Boulevard and Montgomery Street. This event is open to the public and free of charge.

JLL Receives $88 Million Loan for Urby Development

Journal Square’s spin on the Urby development has been given a major financial push to finish the job, per Jersey Digs. Jones Lang LaSalle Capital Markets recently announced they closed on an $88.34 million loan. This project will include 317 units and span 25 floors once it is complete.

Drag Queen Story Hour Returns to Hoboken Public Library

The Hoboken Public Library will be kicking off Pride Month with a Drag Queen Story Hour, per Tap Into. Harmonica Sunbeam will be reading stories, telling jokes, and singing songs at the DQSH on June 8th starting at 10:30AM in Church Square Park. The library says the story hour is open to children of all ages and that registration to the event is required. Click here to see other pride events in the area.

Hoboken-Based Culina Health Secures $4.75M in Funding

According to a press release, Culina Health announced it has secured $4.75M in funding. Based in Hoboken, Culina Health offers personalized, science-backed virtual nutrition coaching from local experts. According to PR News Wire, Culina Health is the only platform in the market providing clinical-level, integrated care management in a scalable and cost-effective way.

Hoboken Parking Enforcement Officers to Wear Body Cameras

The Hoboken Police Department will be expanding the use of body cameras beyond just police officers. Parking enforcement agents will now also wear body cams as part of a two-month pilot program. During this period, several of the city’s parking enforcement officers will be wearing body cams while on duty. You can click here to read more about this initiative recently passed by the Hoboken City Council.

Prisoners from Cumberland to be Transported to Hudson County Corrections

Hudson County Corrections and Rehabilitation Center in Kearny will begin accepting inmates who were formerly housed in the Cumberland County Jail, per Tap Into. This follows a decision that was made in late December.

Lokal Eatery + Bar in Jersey City Expands Open Hours

Lokal Eatery + Bar, located at 2 2nd Street in Jersey City, has announced an expanded schedule which means more time to enjoy great food and an even better view. According to Instagram, the bar will be open for lunch on Thursdays and Fridays from 11:30AM to 2PM. Reservations can be made online or by calling 201-222-6800.

902 Brewing Jersey City Americana Music Festival Happening in Late June

The 902 Brewing Jersey City Americana Music Festival will be happening this summer. According to this Instagram post, the festival will take place on June 25th at the brewery. There will be vendors, food trucks, and music including Steel Press, Viktor.Digital, Sean Tobin + The Boardwalk Fire, Jackson Pines, Widely Grown, and Grateful Dead Jamboree.

Woman Referee from New Jersey Joins NFL Refs

Referee Robin DeLorenzo will officially be joining the NFL as one of three women referee professionals, per NJ.com. The Instagram post reads, “Robin DeLorenzo! 👏 The Nutley native got her start reffing high school football games here in New Jersey in 2004. This fall, she’ll be one of 3 women referees on the field in the National Football League.”

Bombay Tea Rooms Announces First Collaboration

The Bombay Tea Rooms announced its first-ever collaboration happening later this month. The post reads, “Manasi takes the traditional Afternoon Tea and gives it a whirl of spices and flavors. Come and experience the taste sensations of our first Bombay Tea Rooms.” The first event will be held at the Stingray Lounge in Hoboken on Saturday, June 11th. Seatings are at 11AM + 12:30PM. The second event will be held at the Reeves-Reed Arboretum in Summit on Sunday, June 26th. Seatings will be at 11:30AM + 2PM.

WorkSocial Coworking Space Expands Jersey City Headquarters

According to a press release, WorkSocial is expanding its Jersey City Coworking Space headquarters. This new development will expand the existing space to 14,000 square feet, increasing the number of rooms available to reserve for coworking. WorkSocial will continue to offer the amenities such as secure server access, shipping + mailing, an onsite notary, complimentary high-speed Wifi, printing, hot breakfast, lunch services, and beverages + snacks.

Hoboken Girl Scout Receives Gold Award

Amanda Tennaro was awarded the Girl Scout Gold Award, per a press release. This Hoboken Girl Scout was awarded the highest, most prestigious and challenging award for a Girl Scout to obtain for her work in establishing the pet food pantry with the Hoboken Community Center to help serve clients. Amanda is part of Girl Scouts Hearts of NJ.

First Round of Jersey City’s Arts and Culture Trust Fund Grants Announced

Mayor Steven M. Fulop joined City Council members and the Arts and Culture Trust Fund Committee to announce the first round of grant funding through Jersey City’s Arts and Culture Trust Fund. According to a press release, they gave out nearly $900k in grants to provide support to 89 artists and arts organizations throughout Jersey City. This first round of grants will include opportunities for programming and arts education.

Memorial Event Honors Late Jersey City Musician

On Friday, June 3rd, friends gathered to celebrate the life of Charles “Chuck” Daly, a much-beloved tattoo artist, musician and DJ in Jersey City. Chuck passed away on March 13th. The event featured a memorial concert at White Eagle Hall in Jersey City where friends and ex-bandmates paid tribute to Chuck’s contributions to the local music scene.

WorkSocial, a coworking space with locations in New Jersey and New York, announced the expansion of its Jersey City headquarters at 111 Town Square Place, 12th floor. WorkSocial's latest expansion grows the size of its headquarters to 14,000 square feet from 8,400, and will increase...

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