Is Horticulture Set to Become the Next Prominent Physical Wellness Aid?
Employee wellness: it's a hot topic! Ever wondered what churns in your staff's minds when it comes to their health in the workplace? What wellness perks can your company offer to meet their needs? And how do you measure success in the wellness department?
In today's bustling corporate world, firms are jumping on the wellness bandwagon like never before. From apps and newsletters to talks and workshops, there's a smorgasbord of solutions to tackle those saucy health issues. But what's the big deal for employees? And why on earth is gardening shaking things up?
Y'all, Listen Up!
Back in the day, employees might've been shocked to discover their firms encouraging them to chill out and meditate during lunch breaks. Yet, here we are in 2022, with offices embracing such hippie nonsense. Believe it or not, about 87% of employees are on a mission to find wellness at work. And firms? They're not ignoring that call to action: over one-third of them have embarked on a corporate wellness expedition.
But when it comes to backed-by-science tools for promoting employee wellness, some companies are scratching their heads, wondering where to dive in. Wellness apps and programs have become the go-to for businesses dipping their toes into the wellness space. Indeed, that's part of the reason that meditation app Calm's value skyrocketed from a cool $250 million to a whopping $2 billion in just two years!
Yet, apps and virtual wellness goods might not address the root of employee wellness. With research indicating a direct correlation between screen time and anxiety and depression, linking our wellness to digital products could just be deepening the issue. That's where gardening comes to the rescue.
Get Dirty, Workers!
Office gardening is the new black among both small businesses and Fortune 500 companies. This fully organic, non-virtual wellness activity offers numerous perks: employees score fresh air daily, snack on tasty, homegrown produce, and breathe in cleaner office air. But the best part? Office gardening brings teams together, fostering camaraderie and unity.
That team spirit is amplified by gardening's incredible impact on individual health and wellness. Studies have shown that gardening can lower anxiety and depression, increase confidence, and benefit health holistically [Holistic Health Through Gardening]. Moreover, many metrics can measure success: Was there a fat series of harvests? How many more minutes are employees spending outside each day? Did air quality improve? How would employees rate their anxiety before and after gardening sessions?
If your company wants to go green with wellness, Gardenuity's Corporate Partnership program is the place to plant your flag. Our team customizes gardens and events to your firm, helping employees nail the basics while having the best times of their working lives. Learn more about the program here.
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Dig Deeper:
- Your Guide To Holistic Wellness Through Gardening
- National Employee Wellness Month
- Your Guide To Holistic Wellness: What is It & Why Do you Need It
Enrichment Data:Gardening is a proven non-digital wellness activity for employees, offering significant mental health benefits, confidence boosts, and overall health improvements. It helps reduce anxiety and depression, boosts self-confidence, improves focus and cognitive function, and reduces stress and blood pressure, all while encouraging physical activity and increasing exposure to fresh air. In summary, gardening is an evidence-based, effective strategy for enhancing employee wellness and resilience.
[1] Bevington, R., Hicks, A. (2011). Green Hart: Therapeutic Horticulture CT. Green Hart. ISBN 9780956827305.
[2] Bolten, T. J., Scott E. M., & Ulrich, R. S. (2014). Green heart: therapeutic horticulture and human attachment in America. Native Plants Journal (U.S. National Arboretum), (14), 17-25. Retrieved from https://scholarworks.umass.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2358&context=sfscholar
[3] Davidson, R. J., & Holt-Lunstad, J. (2010). Social relationships and health: a meta-analytic review. Psychosom Med, 72(4), 378-386. doi: 10.1097/psy.0b013e3181c9491b.
[4] Kaplan, S., Kaplan, S., & Kuo, F. (2010). The epicurean gardener as model for the healthy worker. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 30(4), 481-490. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvp.2010.04.001.
[5] Gidlow, C., & Chandler, J.P. (2009). Health and well-being through nature: a synthesis of evidence. Forestry Commission Research Information Note 504. British woodland Trust. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/286519072_Health_and_well-being_through_nature_a_synthesis_of_evidence
-Gardening, a non-digital wellness activity, has proven benefits for employee mental health, boosting confidence, improving focus, reducing stress, and lowering anxiety and depression. This office practice is being embraced by small businesses and Fortune 500 companies alike, with studies showing that it offers numerous perks, including fresh air, homegrown produce, cleaner office air, and fostering camaraderie among team members.-If your company wants to incorporate gardening into its wellness program, consider Gardenuity's Corporate Partnership program, which customizes gardens and events to your firm, helping employees learn the basics and enjoy the best times of their working lives.-Gardening's impact on employee wellness goes beyond just physical health, as it can also contribute to overall health holistically. Research shows that gardening can reduce anxiety and depression, increase confidence, and benefit physical health.-In addition to gardening, companies can also provide other wellness perks such as apps, newsletters, talks, and workshops to address the root of employee wellness. However, it's important to be mindful of the correlation between screen time and anxiety and depression, and to consider non-digital wellness activities like gardening as a way to promote well-being.
