We are working to become WELL certified here at The Village Workspace, and that means looking at each of the 10 concepts of workplace wellness–Air, Water, Thermal Comfort, Light, Movement, Nourishment, Sound, Mind, Community and Materials. Plants in a workspace add so much more than looks. Plants aid in the wellness of the air, the sound, the way light is filtered and so much more.
Everyone loves the look of plants in a workspace, and we may know that they are somehow good for the air quality and aesthetics, but did you know that plants are bringing many more benefits without you event knowing? When a business focuses on the health of the people who work in it each day, plants are one of the important elements that must be added in. Plants help us connect with nature. Plants make a workspace more beautiful, which also helps us feel better about where we work. At our coworking space, The Village Workspace, it is one of the pieces of wellness we continue to focus on.
Here are some more ways plants improve your wellness and the wellness of your workspace:
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Plants improved the air quality:
Many plants are natural air purifiers and can help to remove harmful toxins and pollutants from the air. Some common toxins that plants can help to remove include benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene. By removing these toxins from the air, plants can help to improve indoor air quality and reduce the risk of health problems associated with poor air quality.
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Increased productivity:
Studies have shown that having plants in the workplace can increase productivity by up to 15%. This is likely because plants help to create a more pleasant and calming environment, which can reduce stress and increase focus. In addition, plants have been shown to reduce noise levels and improve overall satisfaction with the work environment.
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Improved mental health:
Being around plants has been shown to reduce stress, improve mood, and increase feelings of well-being. Just looking at a live plant that is thriving because you take the time to care for it, does something for you mentally. Knowing there is something dependent on you caring for it, helps us mentally and emotionally. Trimming dead leaves and seeing new sprouts about to open reminds us that our lives also need this occasionally to flourish. Plants help to create a more natural and calming environment, and interacting with plants can be a soothing and mindful activity. It really is good to talk to you plants and nurture them to health as they do the same for you.
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Increased creativity:
Some studies have found that having plants in the workplace can increase creativity and problem-solving abilities. This is thought to be because of the lower stress levels that plants bring and the fact that having plants around your workspace creates a more positive and stimulating environment, which can foster creativity and cognitive flexibility. When you work in a space that is void of nature, it can feel institutional. Plants bring life into a space, and when we get up and make time to nurture them (and even talk to them) we just might have ideas grow!
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Enhanced physical health:
Being around plants has been shown to improve physical health by reducing blood pressure, lowering heart rate, and reducing fatigue. In addition, plants can help to reduce the risk of illness by removing harmful toxins from the air and increasing humidity, which can help to prevent dry air and respiratory problems.
Look around your work environment. Do you need to bring in a plant or two? Are you worried that your green thumb shriveled and died years ago? We’ve listed a few below that are easy to care for indoors. The presence of plants in the workplace can have numerous positive impacts on health and well-being, including improved air quality, increased productivity, improved mental health, increased creativity, and enhanced physical health so whaat are you waiting for… get that office growing!
Plants that are easy to care for indoors:
- Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
- Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata) …
- Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum) …
- Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema) …
- Areca Palm (Chrysalidocarpus lutescens)
- ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
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