^Nature has always been a source of solace and rejuvenation for the human spirit, offering a peaceful escape from the chaos of daily life. But did you know that this same sense of peace and renewal can also be brought into the workplace and help achieve work life balance? 

The concept of nature-based wellness has been gaining ground in the corporate world for a good reason. The benefits of incorporating elements of nature into the workplace are numerous and range from reduced stress levels to increased creativity and productivity. 

This article delves into the science behind nature-based wellness, its impact on the corporate world, and the steps companies can take to bring the outdoors in and foster a nature-filled workplace culture. 

So, let's take a deep breath, close our eyes, and imagine a nature-infused workspace. Are you ready? Let's begin our journey.

Nature's Healing Powers

Nature profoundly affects our well-being, which is rooted in the deep connection between our bodies and minds. Studies have shown that just a few minutes spent in nature can lead to lower levels of stress hormones and increased feelings of calm and tranquillity. 

So, how does this magic happen? The answer lies in our mind-body connection. When we immerse ourselves in nature, our bodies respond by relaxing, reducing stress, and promoting a sense of well-bein

"Nature is not just a backdrop for our lives; it is the essential foundation for our physical, mental, and spiritual well-being." - Jane Goodall.

Nature not only has a calming effect on our minds but also has the power to spark our creativity and productivity. Studies have shown that exposure to nature positively impacts cognitive function and creativity, making it a valuable tool for businesses looking to increase productivity. 

A Nature-filled Workplace: A Guide

A nature-loving workplace culture inspires creativity, innovation, and collaboration. It fosters a sense of purpose and meaning, as employees feel like they are contributing to a greater cause. It promotes health and well-being, as nature has been proven to reduce stress, boost immunity, and improve mood.

Creating a nature-loving workplace culture requires a shift in mindset from a focus on productivity and profit to a focus on people and the planet. It requires leaders who are passionate about nature and who lead by example. It requires a commitment to continuous improvement and a willingness to learn from mistakes.

Simple plant-infusion techniques

Bringing the outdoors in has never been easier. Here are a few simple ways to infuse nature into your workplace:

• Add potted plants to your office space. Studies have shown that just a few plants can significantly improve indoor air quality and reduce stress levels.
• Create a “green wall” by hanging plants on a living wall. This adds a pop of colour, helps improve air quality, and provides a calming effect.
• Use natural light and open windows. Encourage employees to take breaks outside or in a well-lit area.
• Incorporate natural materials like wood, stone, and glass into your office design. These elements provide a connection to nature and create a welcoming atmosphere.

Creating a nature-loving workplace culture

Creating a nature-loving culture starts at the top. Encourage your leadership team to embrace the benefits of nature and incorporate them into the workplace. Some ways to do this are:

• Offer regular nature-based wellness activities, like guided hikes or outdoor yoga sessions.
• Encourage employees to take breaks and step outside to appreciate the natural world.
• Provide a quiet, nature-filled space for employees to take a break, relax and recharge.
• Encourage employees to bring in natural elements from home, such as photos of their favourite outdoor spot or a small potted plant.

In addition to the physical environment, a nature-loving workplace culture encourages sustainable practices. From reducing paper usage to implementing a recycling program, employees are educated on how their actions can impact the environment and are given the tools to make a positive change.

Moreover, a nature-loving workplace culture promotes opportunities for employees to participate in community outreach and environmental initiatives. This not only fosters a sense of community within the workplace but also allows employees to impact the world outside of their job positively.

Encouraging employee involvement

Employee involvement is key to creating a nature-filled workplace. Encourage your team to participate in nature-based wellness activities and bring their love of nature into the workplace. Here are a few ways to get started:

• Appoint a 'Green Team' - elect a 2-4 member team to come up with ideas 
• Provide resources - Arrange workshops & seminars for knowledge sharing
• Encourage participation: Offer incentives for employee involvement
• Experience sharing: Allow employees to share outdoor stories

Final Words

The importance of incorporating nature into the corporate wellness arena cannot be overstated. It’s not just about creating a more aesthetically pleasing work environment; it’s about investing in the well-being of employees and creating a workplace culture that values wellness. By doing so, businesses will see increased employee engagement and satisfaction and a more positive and productive workplace.

As a corporate wellness company, we invite businesses throughout the world to incorporate nature into workplaces. Whether it’s placing potted plants, offering outdoor wellness activities, or simply encouraging employees to step outside, there are many ways to bring nature into the workplace. 

By doing so, you’ll be making a positive investment in the well-being of your colleagues and creating a more positive and productive work environment. So, take the challenge and start incorporating nature into your workplace today!

^We've all experienced a bad day while working from home.

You begin your day on a positive note. However, the deadline for a large project is approaching, and you don't have time to complete it. So, instead of staying on track and getting an early start, you get distracted by anything but work.

The majority of your workday is spent on Twitter, Slack, and LinkedIn. We won't even talk about email. So those ambitions of completing the assignment before lunch become far away.

You aren't alone: office workers spend 28% of their time on unnecessary distractions. In addition to this, an average of five hours are spent each week visiting non-work-related websites.

As soon as you put those useless distractions aside, you're hit by midday hunger pangs, and all you want is food. As a result of wasting your whole morning, your mind explodes into a frenzy, and your anxious afternoon transforms into an evening full of stress.

Try to imagine what it would be like if you had a productive workday every day; imagine what it would be like if it became a habit.

At first, you will need to put in more time and effort. Our recommendations, however, may be helpful for long-term adjustments in your work routine with a bit of self-reflection and forward thinking.

‍Starting Your Day

A day's work can be set in stone within its first hour. But, with a couple of mistakes, you will find it's already 11 a.m., having no idea where the first two hours of your day went.

Morning productivity is all about developing habits that will last. So if you're looking for something to do on Monday, instead of opening Facebook, open Google Docs instead.

‍A Few Things To Start With

Starting your day with a nutritious meal will set you up for success. Dietary choices affect your productivity at work, as they provide everything your mind body soul needs.

It is recommended to consume low-glycemic carbohydrate diets throughout the day to maintain consistent energy levels. For those of us who aren't nutritionists, this means lots of fruits and vegetables. In addition, an egg, banana, yogurt, or blueberry breakfast may improve memory and relieve stress.

You should resist the urge to look at your e-mail when you first arrive at your workstation. You might lose your most valuable thinking hours early in the morning if you start your day reading, responding, and sorting your inbox.

The constant checking of your email will also become a habit. Reading your email while you commute to work is an excellent idea if you don't drive to work. If you have any important to-do items to check in your email before heading out to work, allocate five to ten minutes for them.

Once you have inspected it briefly, please turn it off. You will notice the difference in your productivity.

"Productivity is never an accident. It is always the result of a commitment to excellence, intelligent planning, and focused effort." - Paul J. Meyer

‍The Little Things

Do you still want to open Gmail? You can achieve productivity goals most easily by developing "tiny habits." Tiny habits are simple, ongoing activities that create long-term behavioural changes.

For new behaviours to stick, consider the following factors:

1. Motivating factors that may assist in changing a habit.

2. Acts that make the new habit easy to form.

3. A stimulus that results in an action.

If you know that email is a huge distraction for you, schedule times to check it. Then, treat yourself to a snack break if you finish it in less than 15 minutes. Try this strategy for any habit you wish to create, such as reading or meditating, and you will have a perfect work life balance.

‍Setting Priorities

It may not be ideal for everyone to have an organised to-do list, but we could all benefit from it. First, sort chores into priority levels and categorise them accordingly. Prioritising the simplest chores is tempting, but setting priority levels will remind you to focus on the bigger tasks first.

‍Identify Your Distractions

A diagnosis is essential to administering the correct treatment in medicine. In addition, it is essential to understand what precisely distracts you if you want to establish productive habits that last months, not days.

Using time tracking software or good old-fashioned pen and paper, keep track of how you spend your time for a week. Record when you encounter distractions and what they are during the process. 

Review your work time at the end of each week. Analyse patterns of cause and effect. For example, you may fall victim to reading the news while working. Then you scroll for 30 minutes on social media after checking your email.

The process of documenting your week may seem overwhelming to many people. They may claim that it will take a considerable amount of time. But don't ignore this one. You might have more work for one week, but you'll save hundreds of hours later.

‍A Remote Work Environment

Nowadays, more and more people work from home. Indeed, you're not distracted by co-workers at home, but that doesn't mean you're untouched by distractions. Homeworkers often become their own worst enemies when working from home.

‍Conclusion

Whenever possible, try to replicate your regular weekday on your off-days. A regular schedule of waking up, showering, and dressing as if you were going to work is important. Working from home doesn't mean staying at home all day.

Go to a coffee shop to avoid the temptation to clean the bathroom or organise your bookcases. Instead, commit to accomplishing more - preferably ahead of the weekly demands - when you work from home.