The constant stress of modern life has been a topic of conversation every year for the last few years. From health concerns to economic challenges and environmental crises, disquieting news comes in constant waves.
We now have to combat more stress at home, at work, and in our relationships to each other. That may mean finding new ways to recharge, or it might mean returning to behaviors that have always made an impact.
Connecting with nature is gaining new emphasis as we navigate the world in the 2020s and, as biophilic specialists, we are here to tell you just how beneficial this can be for you and your employees.
The Challenge of Returning to An Office Environment
Change is hard. With it comes unknown circumstances and unexpected outcomes. Change generally requires us to behave differently and adapt to new settings, and to reconfigure our lives and our selves around new or different experiences.
For many in the next few years the full-time return to office will be a significant shift. After corporate employees had to adjust to working from home in 2020, ways of working are evolving again now. The hybrid work scenario is increasingly being reconsidered across both public and private sectors.
This transition towards hybrid work and, in some cases, a full return to office, will mean a shift in routine, increased fixed expenses (daycare/parking), and more facetime with colleagues. Many gym workout sessions and family dinners will likely be sacrificed for commuting time.
It’s not up to employees to manage these stresses themselves. A proactive employer that wants to ensure employees are productive and loyal has a significant role to play in managing return to office. And while many corporate policies may help with this, one is often overlooked: the benefits of office plants.
Mitigating Employee Stress with Office Plants
The transition from hybrid to full-time office can inarguably serve as a source of anxiety. One scientifically proven way to decrease workplace stress is to add greenery to office environments. Plants offer an opportunity to create an office atmosphere that is productive, warm, and inviting.
Humans have an innate affinity towards other living things. It makes sense that although humankind has evolved throughout the centuries, we still are drawn to living things. This is the hypothesis behind biophilic design, a practice which involves using natural elements and plants to enhance architecture and décor. Its aim is to make built spaces that humans positively respond to by emphasizing our connection with nature.
The Proven Benefits of Office Plants
Research consistently demonstrates that incorporating plants and other biophilic elements into the workspace helps:
- Increase productivity by up to 15%
- Reduce situational stress and anxiety
- Enhance creativity and boost morale
- Muffle noise
- Bolster concentration and cognitive function
According to Green Plants for Green Buildings (a non-profit dedicated to communicating the wellbeing and economic benefits of nature in the built environment), employees report “that plants make them feel calmer and more relaxed, frequently stating that an office with plants makes it a more desirable place to work.” This is no surprise given the benefits research has uncovered, and it means that incorporating plants may help with recruitment and retention.
It’s clear that plants benefit us at work. But how do you incorporate office greenery as easily as possible?
Interior Plantscapes’ Workplace Solutions
Interior Plantscapes offers many options to help mitigate anxiety as employees return to office full-time, and help improve workplaces that have already implemented hybrid or office-only policies:
Personal Plant Companions
Our commercial plant services cover a range of options. But one impactful thing many of our clients have chosen is to welcome or welcome back their employees with a small desk planter with foliage, succulents, or blooms. We do not maintain these plants; rather, the new plant parents relish caring for their own plant, giving them a new connection to foster at work.
Small Plant Desk Companion Options:
Low-maintenance succulent or small tropical in a decorative container
Includes care instructions and starter fertilizer kit
Terrarium Options:
Self-contained mini ecosystem in stylish glass container
Perfect for desks with limited space
Available in various sizes to suit different desk arrangements
Communal Spaces
If personal desk plants aren’t a possibility, consider placing tropical foliage in communal areas such as lobbies, canteens, conference and huddle rooms.
Expert Guidance For Any Size Office
Interior Plantscapes is well-positioned to help you identify which solutions work best for your workplace and employees. We have the capability to scale any project, whether for a Fortune 100 company or a small not-for-profit.
Our custom plant solutions makes it easy to begin introducing biophilia to your workspace with:
- A selection of large statement plants
- Attractive flowering plants to add color and interest
- Premium fiberglass containers that complement your décor
- Comprehensive professional maintenance services
- Flexible options to fit various spaces and budgets
We have the biophilic design and horticultural expertise to bring life, productivity and motivation back into your office.
All the Benefits, None of the Maintenance
Interior Plantscapes offers custom commercial designs and a variety of options to improve your workplace through foliage and plant arrangements.
But we understand that having someone else design and install beautiful planters is often the easy part for workplaces looking to add greenery, because we as the experts do the hard work for them.
That’s why we also offer bi-weekly maintenance programs for our commercial clients. We water, prune, eliminate pests, and ensure every plant we put in your space always looks incredible. This allows our clients to get all the stress-relieving power of plants with none of the upkeep pushed onto employees.
Get Started With Office Plants Today
Our horticultural enthusiasts would love to discuss solutions tailored to your needs. We are honored to serve as your biophilic design subject matter experts and can’t wait to hear what YOU are doing to make your employees feel welcome and supported during this or any transition. Contact us today via phone at 301-498-5028 or on our website.
