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On average, people now spend 80-90% of their life indoors in artificial environments. This new modern lifestyle presents us with new problems within our indoor situations to consider concerning our health and wellbeing.
The study of these positive or negative effects our environment has on us is called environmental psychology, and conclusions of these studies have clearly shown that the environment in which we commonly operate have significant effects on our sense of well-being, emotion stability and stress limits.
What type of environment do you work in and reside in most? How does your work environment affect your work?
The Human Spaces Global Report, 2015
The Human Spaces report into The Global Impact of Biophilic Design in the Workplace has revealed that employees who work in environments with natural elements report a 15% higher level of well-being, are 6% more productive and 15% more creative overall.
A part of this report stated that 40% of people in the US agreed that natural greenery within their indoor environment made them feel calmer and more relaxed.
Live Plants Aren’t Just for Looks
Although office plants and live plants used for décor are often attractive simply for their aesthetic appeal, live plants in any environment actually have tangible benefits that many overlook. Many office managers, hotel managers, and property building managers don’t consider investing in live plants for their indoor environment even though they add much value.
Research has proven these benefits time and time again, and this most recent report proves again the great benefits of office plants.
It all goes back to the term Biophilia, which refers to the innate and uncompromising requirement for humans to seek nature.
Commenting on the Human Spaces research findings, Professor Sir Cary Cooper, said: “The benefit of design inspired by nature, known as biophilic design, is accumulating evidence at a rapid pace. Looking at a snapshot of global working environments, up to one in five people have no natural elements within their workspace and alarmingly nearly 50% of workers have no natural light. Yet a third of us say that workplace design would affect our decision to join a company. There’s a big disparity here and one that hints at workplace design only recently rising to prominence as a crucial factor.
This innate appeal can be connected to the tangible benefits that humans gain from an environment filled with live plants.
Benefits of office plants
- Increased productivity by as much as 12% Read more
- Improved well-being and reduced sickness
- Less data entry errors
- Physical and mental therapeutic value
- Increased revenue per guest in hotel management Read more
- Improved occupancy rates by as much as 17% Read more
- Green building requirements met such as LEED standards
The truth is that plants can be tremendously helpful and restorative, but you have to know what you’re doing. That means choosing the right indoor plants to meet your needs and suit your environment. It also means learning how to keep each plant alive and thriving. Interior plant service from a professional horticulture specialist is a great option for choosing the right indoor plants and maintain them. Contact Plant Interscapes to learn more about interior plant service.
