6 Ways Office Plants Improve Wellbeing and Workplace Productivity
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We all know the benefits of plants for creating a beautiful, natural environment in our homes and gardens – but have you ever wondered about your office?
There have been many studies on the positive impacts of plants in the office. Not only do they create an elegant environment, improve the physical health and mental wellbeing of everyone using the space – but this also means reduced sickness, absenteeism and employee turnover.
Given that sickness-related absenteeism costs US employers over $225 billion annually… it’s no surprise people are sitting-up and paying attention. So, how exactly do office plants help?
Biophilic design: a workplace revolution
At a fundamental level, indoor plants give us the opportunity to connect with nature. Whether subconsciously or through active gardening, this universal human desire to get closer to nature also has a name. It’s known as “biophilia”.
This is where “Biophilic Design” comes from; the practice of putting nature front and center of architectural and interior schemes.
Some workplaces have really taken this approach to heart. For instance, Second Home (a coworking space based in Lisbon, Portugal) worked with SelgasCano architects to create an office space home to over 2,000 plants and trees!
Given interacting with nature increases innovation and reduces stress, it’s a bright and bold strategy for a creative coworking company – who also employ a team of local gardeners to maintain their indoor haven.
While you might not envision going to these lengths, the good news is even small touches of greenery and natural materials have tangible impacts on employee’s mental health and performance.
Here are just some of the benefits for wellbeing and cognition in the workplace:
1. Reducing mental fatigue
As humans, our thinking improves and we stay healthier when we connect with nature. Given the average working American spends 80-90% of their time indoors, biophilic workplace design is an essential tool in reducing mental fatigue and employee burnout.
Mental exhaustion spells disaster for productivity, but nature-based minibreaks can help restore energy and concentration. A mental “micro-break” (even just 40 seconds long) spent gazing over a living wall, roof garden or single plant is far more restorative than blankly staring at concrete walls or cubicle dividers.
2. Lowering stress levels
You may have heard about therapies such as “forest bathing” for reducing stress hormones, lowering blood pressure and improving mood. First developed in Japan (where the practice is known as Shinrin-Yoku), workplace greenery harnesses similar effects.
In fact, hospital studies show patients recover quicker from surgery and illness (reporting less stress and pain) if their view includes greenery and nature. Whilst all employees would ideally have access to large windows, natural light and green outlooks – these “luxuries” aren’t always possible. Things like pot plants, green walls and planter boxes really help though, bringing feelings of natural calm and tranquility to office spaces.
3. Improving physical health
One of the most comprehensive workplace studies took place in Norway in 1996. In this pioneering research, it was shown that even peripheral views of planters and floor plants reduced neuropsychological symptoms (such as fatigue and headache) by 23%. Things like coughs, sore throats, stuffy noses, itchy eyes and dry skin reduced by a similar amount.
Researchers believed these results were due to both improved air quality and the “psychological value” of a more aesthetically pleasing environment. Indeed, plants work as natural air purifiers, increasing humidity (important in air-conditioned offices) as well as reducing levels of carbon dioxide and airborne pollutants.
4. Empowering creativity
The UK’s prestigious Chelsea Flower Show recently conducted a questionnaire, showing the benefits of office planting schemes are improved if workers participate in design decisions.
Encouraging staff involvement in planting schemes enhanced feelings of wellbeing and creativity by over 45%, and workplace productivity by 38%. With significant knock-on impacts for business profitability, it confronts beliefs that plants are “non-essential” aspects of corporate spending.
5. Lessening depression and anxiety
The Sydney University of Technology discovered that workplace plants (even in small numbers) decreased feelings of depression by over 50%.
With linked feelings of stress and anxiety further reduced by 37%, it’s a massive improvement to employee mood and wellbeing. Given one in four American adults suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder, it’s a significant benefit to businesses of any size.
6. Improving acoustics
It’s an issue not often considered, but open-plan offices can be incredibly noisy environments. The lack of privacy and consistent noise-levels significantly increases stress.
Plants are great for absorbing excess noise, however. They also help with “zoning” to create quieter, more private parts of the office if deeper concentration or 1-1 chats are needed…
However you decide to incorporate natural design into your workplace, its clear office plants are essential for improving employee wellbeing and productivity.
At Kelly Mac Plants, we design, install and maintain biophilic designs for workplaces across New Jersey, New York City and Eastern Pennsylvania. Discover more about our approach and get in touch to discover how we can help your business grow.
