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Work Or Wellbeing, It's Time To Embrace The Great Outdoors
The temperatures are slowly rising and it’s light until 10 pm. Summer has arrived at last! Some of you reading this may be taking a deep sigh, resigned to the fact that you’re holed up in the workplace, beavering away and too tired after work to make the most of what’s around you.
It’s common knowledge that taking a break during the day has a positive effect on productivity and mood, so let’s break down how you can build a slice of the great outdoors into your life, or the lives of your team.
As an employer
- Encouraging your staff to take a break is a start, but if there’s nowhere for them to go during their break, the chances are they’ll just sit at their desks browsing kittens on the web.
- Can you provide any outdoor break-out areas or picnic benches where the team can take their lunch breaks?
- How many times during the day do the smokers go outside for a cigarette? Think of this from a non-smokers’ perspective – encourage them to take ‘breathing breaks’ outside periodically throughout the day – research suggests breaks every 75 to 90 minutes. Just tell them to avoid the smoking area!
- Why use a boardroom for meetings? If the weather is on your side, suggest team meetings are held outdoors. Some companies even provide dedicated outdoor working spaces.
As an individual
- Whether you’re employed in an office or working from home, take regular breaks. Studies have shown that just a 20 minute walk a day improves wellbeing, concentration, and productivity.
- As daft as it sounds, parking further away from your workplace or getting off the bus a couple of stops earlier than normal all contribute to ‘outdoor time.’ As one of the supermarket chains tell us – every little helps!
- Make the most of evenings. As tempting as it is to collapse in front of the TV after work, get outside instead. Spend time in the garden with the family or friends – al fresco dining is all the rage, you know
- Find someone to walk with. Being accountable to someone else is a great way to make sure you stick to a commitment – and it’ll do you both good.
The Benefits
There are several key benefits when it comes to spending time outside.
- Increased happiness: the mood naturally lifts when time is spent outdoors. Studies also show that spending time in nature can reduce the risk of depression and anxiety.
- Reduced inflammation: spending time outside could help to naturally reduce pain levels.
- More energy: ditch the flat whites and espressos. Give your energy levels a natural boost by stepping out of the office every day.
- Improved memory: time in the open air is good for the memory! Research by the University of Michigan found that walking in the park helped improve memory and attention span.
- Stress relief: spending time outside can have similar effects on the brain as meditating. Outdoor spaces and natural settings are known to lower the heart rate and blood pressure.
If you’re spending all your working day hunched up at your desk, make June the month you switch that habit for something a little healthier. June may be #GreatOutdoorsMonth but that doesn’t mean you have to stop on 1st July!
And breathe ….
