A New Take on Employee Well-being
The new year is the perfect time to take stock of employee productivity and engagement, and with that, evaluate opportunities to improve employee satisfaction and happiness. Now, more than ever, consideration of employee well being is crucial to the creation of a work environment where your staff—and thus, your business—can thrive.
As we navigate the complexities of modern business, the concept of corporate wellness has evolved beyond simple perks. It is no longer just about offering gym memberships or occasional healthy snacks. It is about fundamentally reshaping the physical environment to support the mental and physical health of your team.
The Reality of the Indoor Generation
According to a 2015 study published by the U.S. National Library of Medicine, more than 85% of a person’s daily life is spent indoors. When considering a typical eight-hour workday, Americans spend, on average, a full one-third of our workdays confined to an office setting. This staggering statistic highlights a critical disconnect between humans and the natural world.
This means that when contemplating the topic of employee well being, providing your staff with an enjoyable and inspiring space to perform their daily tasks can be just as important as that ordinary gym membership or paid time off. The physical environment acts as the “silent partner” in your business strategy, either facilitating focus and calm or contributing to low-level anxiety and fatigue.
Bring the Outdoors Inside to Reduce Employee Stress
One way to effectively and quickly improve the office space for your employees is to introduce live plants into the environment. This approach, often referred to as biophilic design, is not merely a trend but a scientifically backed method for enhancing workplace wellness.
According to research, plants are proven to relieve negative psychological symptoms and physiological stress—a benefit that has positive implications for the body’s cardiovascular system. Over-activation of the sympathetic nervous system caused by stress can damage this crucial function, making stress reduction a key component for a person’s overall health.
When employees are constantly bombarded with artificial lighting, recirculated air, and digital screens, their stress markers rise. Reintroducing natural elements helps reset these markers, lowering blood pressure and reducing cortisol levels.
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Strategizing Your Corporate Wellness Plan
Implementing a corporate wellness strategy that focuses on the physical environment requires expertise. It isn’t enough to simply place a fern in the corner. The placement, type, and density of greenery matter significantly.
When considering what plants to add to your office environment, we have several options that can meet the needs of offices large and small to create a space that is calming and inviting to all who enter. Moveable potted plants or freestanding or hanging plant walls are a highly customizable and popular option for creating a well-defined and colorful workspace.
We take the guesswork out of the equation. We will help you choose the best plants for your office environment, maximizing its layout, natural light, and physical space. Plant walls are especially ideal for break rooms, on-site exercise studios, and meditation spaces that encourage employees to take a break and be in the moment.
Enhancing Air Quality for Better Cognitive Function
A major component of employee well being is the quality of the air they breathe. “Sick Building Syndrome” is a documented phenomenon where stagnant indoor air leads to headaches, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating.
Plants act as natural air purifiers. They absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, but they also filter out common volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like benzene and formaldehyde found in office furniture and carpets. By improving air quality, you aren’t just making the office prettier; you are actively fueling your employees’ brains for better problem-solving and creativity.
- Boosted Focus: Cleaner air leads to sharper cognitive performance.
- Reduced Absenteeism: Healthier environments mean fewer sick days.
- Enhanced Mood: The presence of greenery has been linked to higher self-reported happiness.
Innovative Solutions: MossWallArt™
Not every office has the lighting or space required for traditional potted plants. However, this should not act as a barrier to achieving your corporate wellness goals.
We help to improve the well-being of others with plants through diverse mediums. Plant Solutions also offers maintenance-free plant installation in the form of custom MossWallArt™ pieces designed to enrich and enliven any décor.
These pieces come with a wide array of color choices and patterns made from real mosses, lichens, and natural woods. MossWallArt™ designs bring the feeling of the outdoors inside and can help individuals connect to the calming elements of nature—a concept known as biophilic design and based on the principle that humans have an innate ability to heal when connected to and surrounded by nature.
The ROI of Workplace Wellness
Business Owners and Executives often ask about the return on investment regarding biophilic design. The data supports the investment heavily. Investing in workplace wellness through environmental design yields tangible returns.
- Talent Acquisition: In a competitive job market, the physical workspace is a differentiator. Top talent prefers workspaces that prioritize their health.
- Retention: Employees who feel their well-being is valued are less likely to leave.
- Productivity: Research suggests that biophilic environments can increase productivity by up to 15%.
By integrating Plant Solutions’ services into your operations, you are signaling to your team that their health is a priority. This builds trust and loyalty, which are essential for long-term business stability.
Tailoring Wellness to Your Demographics
Different generations in the workforce prioritize different aspects of employee well being. While Baby Boomers might appreciate the aesthetic value of plants, Millennials and Gen Z often view sustainable and healthy workspaces as a mandatory requirement, not a perk.
Incorporating living walls and sustainable plant designs aligns with the values of a younger workforce that prioritizes environmental responsibility and mental health. It demonstrates that your company is forward-thinking and empathetic.
A Partner in Your Wellness Journey
Plant Solutions has worked for more than 40 years to incorporate biophilic designs into offices, businesses, and homes. We are committed to bringing quality work into every job while promoting creativity and well-being.
We understand that every business is unique. Your office layout, your brand culture, and your budget are all factors we consider when designing a corporate wellness landscape. Whether you need a full-scale living wall in your atrium to make a bold statement or a series of desktop planters to improve air quality at individual workstations, we have the expertise to execute your vision.
Steps to Implement Your Green Strategy
- Audit Your Space: Identify areas with low natural light or high noise levels. These are prime candidates for MossWallArt™ or acoustic plant dividers.
- Consult the Experts: Do not rely on guesswork. Let our team assess the humidity, light, and traffic flow to recommend the right species.
- Plan for Maintenance: Decide if you want a hands-on approach or if you prefer our comprehensive maintenance services to keep your plants thriving without adding to your workload.
- Launch and Educate: When you unveil the new greenery, explain the benefits to your team. Let them know this is part of a broader commitment to their employee well being.
Invest in Corporate Wellness
True corporate wellness is about creating an ecosystem where people feel good, think clearly, and perform at their best. By bringing the outdoors inside, you are addressing the fundamental human need to connect with nature, thereby reducing stress and boosting vitality.
Don’t let your office be just another place to work. Transform it into a sanctuary of productivity and health.