NATURE’S IMPACT

The Biophilia hypothesis emerged in 1984, stating humans have an affinity for nature and the life that flourishes within it. This hypothesis has extended over time to reflect the idea that our well-being is enhanced when we spend time or view natural environments. This ‘Biophilic Design’ is important for businesses to understand as something as simple as looking out an office window at trees, can reduce discomfort levels and improve sleep quality, all important aspects in today’s fast paced world.

Workplaces need to be aware of this concept as today’s students are being immersed in the natural environment through educational curriculum and exposure to the natural world during school. Nature playgrounds, school camps and bush schools are all documented in studies showing that youth engagement in environmental education and nature-based experiences significantly improve a student’s health and educational outcomes. These students are tomorrow’s workforce.

St Stephen’s School incorporated this knowledge into our 2022-2024 Strategic Plan with several strategic themes outlined to increase student’s interactions with the natural world.

I recently read with interest the results of an intervention study conducted in 2021 by Nadav Sprague (Columbia University) and Christine Ekenga (Washington University) titled “The impact of nature-based education on Health-Related Quality of Life among low-income youth.” (Journal of Public Health, Volume 44, Issue 2, June 2022)

The findings from the research showed that nature-based education increases student self-esteem, mental health, happiness, maturity, social cohesion, academic achievement, cognitive and motor development as well as behavioural improvements, including reductions in aggressive tendencies.

This evidence can assist workplaces as productivity, social harmony and an improvement in employee’s mental health can all be assisted by bringing the natural world into offices. Design, proximity and access to open spaces, light and windows with views of trees and the natural landscape are important details to consider for businesses as they work to increase overall staff wellbeing.

Factors that are proven to negatively impact on an employee’s health are poor indoor climate, noise, lack of natural light, lack of greenery or fresh air and an inability to access outdoor spaces.

During the pandemic a large portion of our workforce were based at home. Nurturing one’s biophilic tendencies was easy, veggie patches on apartment windowsills and sourdough starters sprung up across the globe.

We have now entered the post-pandemic workforce phase, where staff retention and luring employees back into the office is high on the agenda. Biophilic design is becoming an increasingly important component for these endeavours.  

The ‘2019-2022 Workplace Report’ commissioned by the Australian HR Institute evaluates employee well-being in Australia. One of the report’s findings was that only 39.1% of Australian workers found their work valuable and worthwhile, this is down from 52.9% in 2020.

Dr. Scott Donaldson (Senior Research Associate, University of Southern California) and his colleagues investigated this element of employee health and well-being further, they identified three factors that predict positive employee wellbeing. Mindset (the belief they can improve), Economic Security (comfort with current income) and Work Environment. 

Just as our students benefit from the natural environment so to do our workforce. Studies show employees are more productive and report higher job satisfaction. Stress levels, generalised health complaints and sick leave all decline once Biophilic design is introduced into the workspace.

As we move into the future the need to focus on the natural environment grows, our challenge is how do we better facilitate this in our schools, universities and workplaces?