Greening Your New Year’s Resolutions
We are a few weeks into the new year, and some of us are already wondering how our resolutions are going. Others are celebrating how easily and gracefully changes are being implemented into making a fresh, new start. However, for the majority of Business Owners, Executives, and HR Professionals, the resolution season brings a specific challenge: how to maintain momentum throughout the fiscal year.
Inc.com reports that 80% of people make New Year’s resolutions, but only 8% achieve them. While these resolutions are typically about improving our personal well-being through diet and exercise, many resolutions are linked to the workplace. A few popular ones include improving work-life balance, career advancement, or pay raises or bonuses. Yet, few of us consider our workspace as an avenue for greater personal wellbeing at work.
If you are an office manager or executive, you have likely noticed that personal habits are hard to change if the environment remains static. This year, we propose a shift in perspective. Instead of relying solely on willpower, rely on design.
The Evolution of Workplace Well Being
Historically, corporate resolutions focused on hard metrics: cutting costs, increasing output, or streamlining logistics. However, the modern definition of success has expanded. Today, workplace well being is not just a perk; it is a critical performance indicator.
The physical environment in which your team operates acts as the silent foundation for their mental and physical health. A sterile, grey office with fluorescent lighting does not inspire innovation. Conversely, a workspace that breathes—literally and figuratively—can reduce absenteeism and spark creativity.
Did You Know? A study by the University of Exeter found that employees were 15% more productive when “lean” workplaces were enriched with houseplants.
When we talk about wellbeing at work, we are discussing a holistic approach. It involves air quality, visual stimulation, and the psychological comfort that comes from being connected to the natural world.
Biophilia Makeover: The New Standard
What used to be seen as an “extra” design element or an afterthought, biophilic design has fast become more of a requirement when designing office work spaces of any size. The term “biophilia” refers to our innate connection to nature. Although many of us live and go about our daily activities in highly artificial environments, deep down we feel most at home in the natural world.
Regardless of whether your resolutions are unfolding with ease and grace, the good news is that you can make a resolution at any time, and we suggest starting fresh with a biophilic office makeover.
This approach is grounded in evolutionary psychology. Humans evolved in nature, not in concrete boxes. When we reintegrate natural elements into our daily grind, our cortisol levels (the stress hormone) drop, and our cognitive function improves.
Commit to a Green Workspace
We make New Year’s resolutions conscientiously, mindfully, and with great purpose, in order to improve our overall well-being. Yet, when was the last time you committed to making your workspace an avenue for improving that well-being through the principles of biophilia?
Biophilic design takes its cues from Mother Nature and recreates those inherent patterns and principles in your own environment. Gone are the days when people think of plants as only adding aesthetic value. Plant benefits include increased worker productivity, hospital healing rates, tenant and employee retention, sales volume, and many more.
Plant Solutions is your expert resource for helping you create a biophilic environment. Whether you are looking for living walls, moss wall art, or comprehensive plant design, our customized programs are designed to fit the unique culture of your company.
When people are given the choice, they choose a space rich with natural elements over those that are lacking them because we inherently are connected to our natural world. Plus, as you’ve heard us say before, workspaces that bring the outside environment into the office discover that employees respond by being more creative, productive, and experience reduced anxiety.
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The Science Behind Wellbeing at Work
To truly understand why this resolution is vital for your bottom line, we must look at the data. The American Psychological Association highlights that job stress is a major source of health issues for employees. Integrating plants is a low-cost, high-impact intervention.
1. Attention Restoration Theory
According to research cited by universities regarding Attention Restoration Theory (ART), urban environments drain our cognitive resources. The stimuli of a busy office—phones ringing, screens flashing, conversations buzzing—require “directed attention.” Eventually, this creates fatigue. Nature, however, effortlessly captures our attention in a restorative way, allowing our brains to recharge.
2. Air Quality and Cognitive Function
We cannot discuss wellbeing at work without addressing the air we breathe. Modern office buildings are often sealed tight for energy efficiency, leading to the buildup of CO2 and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). Plants act as natural bio-filters. By introducing specific species known for air purification, you are actively investing in the respiratory health and mental clarity of your workforce.
Strategies for Enhancing Workplace Well Being
This makeover could be on a small or large scale, so begin with your own personal space. It’s worth noting that biophilic design is quite scalable. It can begin with something as basic as adapting existing spaces through the use of natural colors, materials, plants, and water features.
The “Green” Audit
Before purchasing, conduct an audit of your current workplace well being.
- Light: Where does natural light fall?
- Traffic: Where do people congregate? High-traffic areas are perfect for living walls.
- Dead Zones: Are there corners of the office that feel stagnant? These are prime locations for large potted specimens like Ficus or Dracaena.
Living Walls: The Statement Piece
For businesses wanting to make a bold declaration about their commitment to sustainability and health, nothing compares to a living wall. These vertical gardens serve as sound barriers, air purifiers, and stunning visual art.
Moss Art: Low Light, High Impact
Not every office is blessed with floor-to-ceiling windows. For interior spaces lacking natural light, preserved moss art is a revolutionary solution. It provides the texture and color of nature without the need for irrigation or sunlight, ensuring that wellbeing at work extends to every corridor, not just the corner offices.
Integrating Earth Day Values Year-Round
Plus it’s time to start fresh in the new year with renewed energy and vision for our planet. While the 50th anniversary of Earth Day in 2020 was a major milestone, the commitment to sustainability is an ongoing journey. Every April 22nd serves as a reminder, but the most successful companies live these values daily.
What better time to take some steps to bring Mother Earth into your workspace than now? By choosing Plant Solutions, you aren’t just decorating; you are aligning your brand with environmental stewardship. A green office signals to clients and future hires that your company values sustainability and health.
The ROI of Nature in the Boardroom
For the Business Owners and Executives reading this, the question often comes down to ROI. Why invest in wellbeing at work through landscaping?
- Retention: In a competitive talent market, the office environment is a differentiator. Top talent expects a workspace that supports their health.
- Absenteeism: Studies suggest that views of nature and the presence of plants can lower the number of sick days taken by employees.
- Perception: Clients visiting your office will immediately perceive a well-planted space as stable, caring, and thriving.
As a thought leader in creating healthy and profitable building spaces, let us support you in making and keeping a New Year’s resolution sure to have impact far beyond this year.
Implementing Your Plan with Plant Solutions
We understand that HR Professionals and Office Managers are busy. You might worry that adding plants means adding chores to your to-do list. This is a common misconception.
When you partner with Plant Solutions, you are not just buying plants; you are purchasing a service. Our team handles the design, installation, and ongoing maintenance. This ensures that your workplace well being strategy is sustainable and hassle-free. We water, prune, and care for the greenery so you can focus on your core business.
A Resolution That Grows
Most New Year’s resolutions fade because they are difficult to maintain or offer little immediate reward. Greening your office is different. The visual impact is immediate. The air quality improvements happen instantly. The boost in morale is felt as soon as the installation is complete.
Don’t let another year go by working in a sterile environment. Prioritize wellbeing at work. Make 2026 the year your office comes alive. By bridging the gap between the built environment and the natural world, you create a space where business and people can flourish together.
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