The importance of advocating the benefits of nature to your employees

For this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week the theme is nature, with the Mental Health Foundation encouraging us to connect with the natural world. There is a wealth of research showing that connection with nature can have positive effects on both mental and physical health.

However, given the current phase of the pandemic, and the way our lives are changing, this theme may prove challenging for some employers, particularly those grappling with the need to focus on helping employees adjust to returning to work, in what for many will be new hybrid environments.

With potentially less time and opportunity for nature, how can you cultivate the undeniable benefits of nature within your company?

Create an indoor oasis

Bring more plants into the office: studies have shown that biophilic design – adding plants to the workplace – can have major positive benefits for employees and their organisations. What about putting together a living wall?
Consider using natural wood oils: this will allow you to reap some of the benefits of shinrin-yoku (forest bathing) – allergy permitting.
Create natural environments: combine colours, pictures, sounds, textures and smells from nature to make an indoor green space. Alternatively, you could create a virtual green space using footage of natural scenes.

Make space for green space

Encourage regular breaks in green spaces: remind employees to get away from their screens at lunch and get out in nearby parks, gardens and woods.
Think about workspace layouts: are computer monitors positioned so they do not block views to windows?
Create easy access to green spaces: consider a community garden if space allows, which can also foster a culture of group cohesion.

Encourage interaction with nature

Introduce nature watching spaces: such as a window with binoculars for birdwatching.
Establish a growing space: for example, a windowsill for herbs and other plants. You could even run competitions where employees win a prize for growing the tallest plants from a seed – this could be done from home or in the office (it’s best to choose low pollinators to minimise allergens, if in the office)
Allow pets in the workplace: pet-friendly workplaces are becoming more common, and they’ve been found to promote positive interactions between staff, increase morale and employee satisfaction, as well as provide stress relief.

Educate about the importance of nature

Webinars explaining the benefits of nature: these can help employees maintain and improve their wellbeing.
Share articles: ;ike the one linked below.
Highlight the recommended dose of nature: at least 120 minutes a week in nature can significantly impact health, which has clear benefits including reduced absenteeism, reduced presenteeism and increased productivity.

We’ve written an article: Think Naturally: 5 ways to harness the power of nature in a post-pandemic workplace, which you can share with your employees. It explores the ways employers can both bring the outside into their workspaces, and spend more quality time in their local green spaces. It also includes a downloadable guide to re-engage with nature to help employees track and reflect on their time connecting with nature.

The authors are Gosia Bowling, emotional wellbeing enhancement and prevention lead and Brendan Street, head of emotional wellbeing from Nuffield Health.

This article is provided by Nuffield Health.