Employees often seek ways to unwind and recharge after a long day at work. While various methods can aid in this recovery process, little research has delved into how different environments can impact the effectiveness of these efforts. A study by Hilbert et al. (2025) explores the role of natural settings in employee recovery, examining how passive exposure to nature and active engagement with natural surroundings influence well-being.
In the initial study, participants completed real-time surveys over a weekend, reporting on their leisure activities, emotional states, recovery experiences, and perceptions of their environment. The subsequent study involved a five-day natural intervention, where individuals engaged in structured exercises aimed at heightening sensory awareness and appreciation of the natural world.
The results were conclusive: natural environments were linked to heightened positive energy levels, leading to increased feelings of relaxation, detachment, serenity, and reduced fatigue, partially attributed to the beauty of the surroundings. Moreover, participants engaging in nature-based activities experienced significantly greater improvements in psychological recovery compared to the control group.
Overall, these findings underscore the capacity of natural environments, whether passively experienced or actively engaged with, to enhance employees’ recovery from work stress and bolster emotional well-being.
Drawing from these insights, organizations can implement the following strategies to cultivate a more rejuvenating work environment:
– Encourage employees to frequent aesthetically pleasing natural settings like parks, gardens, or well-designed interior spaces to foster recovery and well-being.
– Provide training for employees to focus on aesthetic elements in their surroundings deliberately, enabling them to fully appreciate the beauty around them and maximize the benefits of recovery.
– Consider offering nature-based interventions or similar well-being programs to promote relaxation, detachment from work, and positive emotional experiences.
– Invest in creating natural and visually appealing spaces within the workplace to facilitate rejuvenating breaks throughout the workday, whether through green spaces, indoor gardens, or offices designed with natural elements.
Hilbert, M., Finke, M., Küpper, K., Binnewies, C., Berkemeyer, L., & Maunz, LA (2025). See how beautiful! The role of natural environments for the recovery and affective well-being of employees. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 30(1), 47–61.
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In conclusion, leveraging the restorative power of nature can significantly enhance employee well-being and recovery from work-related stress, highlighting the importance of incorporating natural elements into the work environment for optimal mental health and productivity.