Plants in the Workplace: The Key to Employee Productivity?

If you love greenery, the you most likely have heard of the biophilia hypothesis, which suggests that humans have an innate tendency to be close to or be connected with nature and other living things. Renowned biologist Edward O. Wilson popularized the biophilia hypothesis when he published a book called Biophilia in 1984. He defines the term as “the urge to affiliate with other forms of life.” The word has also been defined as a “love of life or of other living systems.”

While it remains on the level of hypothesis, biophilia presents itself in many ways during our everyday lives. A person’s instinct and desire to connect with nature, especially if they’re working through something difficult, is often evident. Feeling sad? You may just have the urge to take a stroll outside. Feeling uninspired? A quick trip to the nearest park might be in order to boost your creativity. Dealing with stress? You might feel the need to reach for your gardening tools. Unfortunately, a lot of people spend their days in spaces that deny them that connection with nature. These spaces include the workplace, which is also where a majority of people feel stressed. According to the American Institute of Stress, around 80 percent of employees experience stress on the job and almost half say they need help managing the stress they feel. Plants can help with that.

With that in mind, here are a few valid reasons to have some form of greenery in the workplace:

1. Plants in the workplace help decrease the chances of being sick

It’s no secret that pollution is worsening by the minute. That is why environmentalists around the world urge people to plant trees. This is because plants help filter and clean the air.

Since, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air pollutants are often two to five times higher than outdoor levels, there’s an even greater need for plants inside buildings. This is especially needed because Americans spend 90 percent of their time indoors. So, when you have plants in the office, you’re breathing in cleaner air, which means indoor air pollutants are less of a health risk.

2. Plants in the workplace can reduce stress

As mentioned earlier, a simple walk in the garden can help clear a person’s mind. If something at work stresses you out, and something eventually will, wouldn’t it be nice to have a place that is fresh and relaxing to go to?

If more workplaces have gardens, even small ones, employees will have a sanctuary that they can take a breather in when they’re stressed. Employees would be able to enjoy the refreshing, soothing sight of outdoor plants in square planters, neat rows of bushes, and paved walkways while sitting in comfortable benches under the shade of trees—all of which contribute to a serene and relaxing place, perfect for de-stressing.

3. Plants in the workplace can boost productivity

When employees aren’t tired, sick, or stressed, they produce better work. Employees are more focused, they make fewer mistakes, and tasks are accomplished faster. These things point to increased productivity, which also means increased profits and revenues for the company as a whole.

All these reasons show that greenery is one of the most important investments any office can make for their employees. Plants in the workplace provide more than just added aesthetic value; they also create a better working environment.

PolyStone Planters has a wide variety of garden planters that would be perfect for your office plants. They are lightweight yet durable, so it’s easy to move them around and redesign your office space when you need to.

COMMERCIALBrian De La TorreJanuary 25, 2021