Well-being, work-life balance and self-happiness are rapidly becoming key goals for employees and employers.
According to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development in pre-pandemic surveys; stress, depression and anxiety at work resulted in 44% of ill health cases and 54% of working days lost. The same survey explained how sickness absence, poor well-being and mental health has also had a significant negative impact on high staff turnover, increased ‘presenteeism’ and a lack of engagement.
However, there continues to be clear scientific evidence that spending time in nature and interacting with animals while working can positively benefit physical and mental health.
Most recently, in June 2022 the Malaysian Journal of Sustainable Environment published a research paper that identified improvements in productivity, emotions, cognitive functions, reduced stress and increased well-being.
The Journal of Cleaner Production published an article that evidenced significant improvement on well-being by having a direct view of a natural, green scene over an urban scene. Interestingly, they also identified that in a natural scene, employees were less distracted than in a cityscape.
In a noteworthy study published in October 2021, incorporating stress sensors worn on wrists, daily surveys and scheduled tasks, the Journal of Environmental Psychology identified striking results. Here, they identified a stark reduction in stress levels in those working within natural, green environments. Better still, employees were happier and had improved cognitive performance.
Psychologists believe that there is an innate human drive to connect with all living things and have their own term for it. Arguably, as early as 1941, German psychologist Erich Fromm (who had fled the Nazi regime to the US) described the importance of nature to humans as a “primary tie”. However, this idea was popularised by Edward Wilson in his 1984 book as he coined the term biophilia – describing that humans are genetically predetermined to be attracted to nature because of evolution. For example, he suggested that the love of flowers was not necessarily due to their look and smell, but the fact that fruit soon followed the flower.
Having a garden office is a straightforward way to bring your workplace to nature and improve your well-being and productivity. The e-Den design by E-spaces Design and Create Ltd is an excellent example of how biophilic design has been implemented to an impressive degree. The oversized door and window maximise natural light to strengthen the connection to the outdoors. Having curved walls infers movement and natural shape which positively reinforces an organic, natural element. Fully adjustable windows and doors create airflow regardless of the weather to encourage an outdoor feeling. The pod element of the design means that is can sit closely to established trees or shrubs making it feel as if the outside is being brought in. Even the bare wood walls are thought to benefit stress levels and increase comfort due to its natural state.
Psychologists and scientists can agree that being as close to nature as possible can benefit well-being and productivity. For the vast majority of employees who would normally work in an urban setting, a move to a garden office may just bring a greater impact on your well-being and happiness than you first thought.
