How does incorporating elements of nature into a living or workspace affect productivity and mental health?

The Impact of Nature in Living and Workspaces on Productivity and Mental Health

Incorporating elements of nature into living or a workspace can significantly impact productivity and mental health. Numerous studies support this and highlight the physical and psychological benefits derived from a natural environment.

Heightened Productivity

According to a study done by the University of Exeter, incorporating elements of nature such as plants into a workspace resulted in a 15% increase in productivity (Knight & Haslam, 2010). The research showed that when employees are engaged with their surroundings, they perform better.

Improved Mental Health

In a living space, an inclusion of nature can drastically improve mental health. Research by Kaplan (1995) in the Journal of Environmental Psychology shows people residing in environments that incorporate aspects of nature experience less mental fatigue and stress than those in more urbanized settings. The natural elements invoke a sense of calm leading to reduced anxiety and improved well-being.

Improved Cognitive Function

Another notable benefit is an improvement in cognitive function. Kuo's (2010) research shows exposure to green spaces in both work and living environments may contribute to improved concentration, memory and attention detail. This is primarily due to the restorative properties that natural environments have on the human brain.

In conclusion, the incorporation of natural elements into living and work environments has researched backed benefits ranging from improved productivity to better mental health and cognitive function. While not every workspace or living space can directly incorporate natural elements, techniques such as biophilic design can mimic these environments to reap similar benefits.

References:
Knight, C., & Haslam, S. A. (2010). The Relative Merits of Lean, Enriched, and Empowered Offices: An Experimental Examination of the Impact of Workspace Management Strategies on Well-Being and Productivity. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Applied, 16(2), 158–172. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0019292
Kaplan, R. (1995). The restorative benefits of nature: Toward an integrative framework. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 15(3), 169–182. https://doi.org/10.1016/0272-4944(95)90001-2
Kuo, F. E. (2010). Parks and Other Green Environments: Essential Components of a Healthy Human Habitat. National Recreation and Park Association. https://www.nrpa.org/globalassets/journals/jlpe/2010/kuo-fer-front.pdf