The grass is greener in the new home office

If it's good enough for Google, it's good enough for your home office. Being one of several companies recently experimenting with 'biophilic design interventions', Google is trying to figure out how small, nature-inspired changes impact productivity, lower stress and improve general feelings of wellbeing. They have found that employees are more creative and satisfied when they have more natural light and access to fresh air.

Organisations don't have to go so far as redesigning their spaces with natural-light-enhancing skylights to put Notre Dame's Cathedral to shame, especially seeing as the traditional office space is becoming more redundant as businesses adapt to being fully online. Ordinary organisations can follow in the footsteps of the Google Giants simply by encouraging employees to position their desks by a window or even print a greenery photo to improve focus, heighten mood, and (believe it or not) lower blood pressure.

If, however, organisations want to go a step further in encouraging their remote employees' wellbeing, the easiest way to adopt positive changes in the new business landscape is by encouraging individuals to take their home office outside. Simple as that.

Being outdoors not only combats Zoom Fatigue and work-from-home burnout, but the ever-changing stimulation provides a break in routine. Feeling temperature change, hearing the call of birds or simply being around different smells produce psychological and physical benefits…even while staring at your laptop. Changing scenery by interrupting the often-stagnant home office environment lets you interact with the outside world while benefiting your productivity and mental state.

Nature also connects us. In-person relationships used to be realised in the office break room over coffee and chats. Now, thanks to COVID restrictions and social distancing, isolation and loneliness are factors challenging the success of the home office environment. Being under sunlight or surrounded by nature's movement can alleviate the tension and routine of being constantly alone during office hours, where productivity is still expected with no social blanket.

Believe it or not, human beings are not meant to live in a habitat of fluorescent light or computer screens.

The following infographic explains how to make a move from office spaces to outdoor ones.?