Benefits of #Greendesking

For a country that loves coffee as much as we do, did you know that just 20 minutes outdoors can have the same pick-me-up effect as a cup of coffee because of the instantly energising powers of nature?  We all intuitively know that spending time in nature is great for our health and wellbeing, and there are many studies to support this.

Deakin University’s Health, Nature and Sustainability Research Group’s associate researcher Dr Rona Weerasuriya, who co-wrote Beyond Blue to Green: the benefits of contact with nature for mental health and well-being, says Australians need to get out among the greenery. “Nature allows the opportunity for people to experience relaxation, rejuvenation, improved affective states and connect with people, among a host of other health and wellbeing benefits,” she said.

And research conducted by a Melbourne University team has also found taking ‘green booster breaks’ throughout the working day can give our mind the rest it needs. Melbourne University researcher Dr Kate Lee said natural views improve attentiveness for fatigued workers. “We have shown the unique properties of natural views boost concentration to top up energy reserves so tasks feel less effortful. This means employees may feel and perform better at work,” she said. “Research also suggests that workplace greenery provides an enriching experience that helps employees feel more engaged at work.”

And here are just a few of the many other benefits that #greendesking has to offer:

1. Improved health — we have all experienced that time in nature improves both physical and mental health. Depression, anxiety and other mental health issues could be eased by some time outdoors, especially when it’s combined with exercise from a walking meeting.
2. Improved short-term memory — studies have found that walks in nature boost working memory much more than walks in urban environments.
3. Restored mental energy — we all know the feeling when your brain is completely overworked and your suffering from ‘mental fatigue.’ Research has found that exposure to the great outdoors can help your mental energy bounce back. Even looking at pictures of nature has proved beneficial.
4. Reduced stress levels — feeling stressed? We recommend heading for the trees. One study found a decrease in both heart rate and levels of cortisol of people in the forest when compared to those in the city. And among office workers, even the view of nature out a window is associated with lower stress and higher job satisfaction.
5. Improved concentration — we all know that nature is ‘restorative’ and that even a quick walk outside can restore your fading attention. Other studies have found that even looking at a green roof can markedly increase concentration.
6. Sharper thinking and creativity — one of nature’s many benefits is how it can improve attention and memory. One study found that when people were asked to repeat sequences of numbers, they were much more accurate after a walk in nature.

So now that you’ve read all the great reasons to work outside, what do you think? We believe it’s time to re-invent the way we work and make #greendesking a regular part of the work week. Give it a go and feel the difference.

References:

1. Environmental Science and Technology, 2010; Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2012; Journal of Affective Disorders, 2013
2. Psychological Science, 2008; Journal of Affective Disorders, 2013 
3. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 1995; Journal of Environmental Psychology, 2005; Psychological Science, 2012
4. Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research, 2007;Environmental Health and Preventative Medicine, 2010; Japanese Journal of Hygiene, 2011;Biomedical and Environmental Sciences, 2012
5. Environment & Behaviour, 1991; Journal of Environmental Psychology, 1995 (2);Journal of Attention Disorders, 2008
6. Psychological Science, 2008; PLOS ONE, 2012