Gone are the days of blank cubicles in drab office spaces. One thing that scientists, interior designers, and Zen masters tend to agree on, is that bringing nature inside with us is the solution to a lot of our workplace woes. But how and why does plant life have such a positive effect on both our physical and mental wellbeing while we’re indoors?
Let’s start with a gloomy statistic: even before the pandemic, Australians spend more than 90% of their life indoors. Most of us move from our homes, to our car, to our desks, to the shops and back home again; many people even favour the treadmill over a stroll in the park! This goes against a key evolutionary tendency engrained in all of us that is known as “biophilia”.
Biophilia is defined as the ‘innate human instinct to connect with nature and other living beings’. Our need for the natural world has been proven time and time again and many of us would feel it the moment we reach the outskirts of the city and are bathed in trees and fields. While we can’t go gallivanting to the countryside on a day-to-day basis, we can bring the outside in. Countless scientific and social studies have focused on the way plants can increase our productivity, reduce our stress levels and make us less prone to illness, all while filling and beautifying our space. One such study even found that just gazing at a plant for 3 minutes noticeably reduced stress in office workers!
So, grab your desk cacti, gaze at it for a few minutes and get ready to feel some new-found gratitude towards your prickly pal.
No more feeling Yucca
Indoor air quality is a real problem in office environments and can contribute to the spread of the workplace flu or even “sick building syndrome”, which occurs when workers experience poor health symptoms linked to spending too much time inside. This happens due to a build-up of various toxins and pollutants in the air from things like mould, cleaning chemicals, and even our office furniture.
Scientists have determined that as an alternative to expensive air purifiers, indoor plants can remarkably improve office air quality. That’s because they do the same awesome work inside as they do outside! By absorbing those nasty air particles and even stabilising humidity levels, plants have the ability to boost our immune system and keep us away from unwanted sick leave.
Hey, stress – Begonia useless thing!
Does the number next to your inbox make you see red? Evidence has been found that compounding emails increase our cortisol levels, heart rate and our blood pressure. The good news is plants are here to save the day. Not only does better air quality have the effect of reducing your blood pressure, the very sight and smell of plants can help you feel calm and relaxed as well.
In colour psychology, green is used to soothe the mind and the soul. Green is most commonly seen in nature and is closely associated with life, meaning the very act of looking at something green has the ability to help people regain their emotional balance (remember that plant gazing study we mentioned earlier?)
On top of that, plants are their very own essential oil burner. The fresh, and often floral scent of plants has the same effect on us as using aromatherapy solutions. Take lavender for example, this scent has been used over centuries to induce a sense of calm and has recently been proven to reduce the stress of MRI procedure patients by 20%!
Say Aloe to more productivity
Numerous studies have shown that our memory, reaction-time, and concentration, increases just by being in the presence of plants. While one study showed that an amount of plants equivalent to a small greenhouse at your desk will likely distract you, another report proved that a nice array of greenery will not only boost your creativity but also help you learn better.
On top of that, plant leaves also reflect and absorb noise. Those incessant keyboard taps and frustrated sighs from the desk across from you could be quieter with the help of a plant or two.
In the spirit of World Environment Day (June 5), go out and grab yourself a fauna friend and celebrate the natural gifts that plants provide us with every day.