We all know the feeling of being chained to our desk, or stuck in a stuffy room with no windows. It’s not only frustrating, but can actually make us feel physically ill. A study conducted by the University of Essex found that people who work in offices with no natural light are more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety and sleep disorders
(1). So if you’re able to, get outside as much as possible – go for a walk at lunchtime, or spend your weekends exploring nature trails. And when you can’t get outside, try and bring the outdoors inside by adding some plants to your workspace. Research has shown that having plants in the office can boost productivity levels by up to 15%
(2), so it’s definitely worth considering if you want to be more productive!
If working 9-5 isn’t giving you enough time outdoors, why not consider a job that involves being out in nature? There are plenty of roles available that would suit anyone looking for a change – from park ranger to environmental scientist. Spending time surrounded by greenery has been proven to have numerous benefits for mental health; one study found that patients recovering from surgery who had views of trees healed faster than those who didn’t
(3). So if you’re looking for a career change that will also improve your wellbeing, consider jobs involving nature!
If neither of those options are feasible for you right now then don’t worry – there are still plenty of ways to add some extra green into your life without making any big changes. Something as simple as painting your nails green or wearing green jewellery can help increase how connected you feel with nature (4). You could also try cooking with more green vegetables – they’re not only nutritious but will also add some colour into your meals! If you’re looking for something slightly more indulgent, why not treat yourself to some green tea ice cream or matcha cake? Or if fitness is more your thing then head out for a run in the park – getting active outdoors is one of the best ways to improve both physical and mental health (5)!