Caring for nature means caring for your wellbeing

From floods to droughts and wildfires, the effects of climate change are now more tangible than ever before. And while the calls to help the planet with immediate action are essential, they equally support our own mental wellbeing - here’s why.

Where are we now?

Research has shown that being in nature, or even viewing paintings about natural environments, can have a positive impact on our brain, body and social interactions.
Viewing nature seems to calm our nervous systems and helps us cultivate openness, creativity and greater connections.
Why does nature make us feel good? No one knows for sure, but one school of thought suggests it’s because nature is resource-rich. The proximity to natural beauty, combined with food, shelter and comfort is attractive to us from an evolutionary perspective.

What can you do?

By understanding that nature is a pathway to human health and wellbeing, companies can create job satisfaction among employees.
This can be through initiatives like organising a tree planting drive, or including a vegetable or flower patch in the office grounds. This can help improve workers’ mood and reduce feelings of stress.

What’s next?

Since our happiness at work determines our overall life satisfaction level, improving employee happiness through such initiatives can make a huge impact on the workforce of the world.
This in turn will provide a boost to profitability and improve the overall health of the organisation.

The scale of the challenges facing our planet can seem daunting, but we can all do something. There are many different ways to help the planet, but you just need to start with one - then watch the shift in your own wellbeing.