A study published in Nature in 2019 found that, of nearly 20,000 participants surveyed, spending at least two hours per week in nature greatly benefitted the health of said participants. As an employee or CEO, so much of your day is spent going from one screen to the next.
You look at your computer, you look at your phone, you watch a conference call, you check the stocks, etc. It’s all happening on digital interfaces whose blue light, while often crucial to the work, could be detrimental to your mental health. That’s why it is critical to prioritize spending time in nature, getting your bearings, and grounding yourself. While it might be hard to carve out time to spend outside, doing this could actually make you a much more effective worker and CEO in the long run.
Spending time in nature, particularly among trees, is a practice called Shinrin-Yoku, also known as Japanese forest bathing. This practice can positively impact both home and work lives.
Dealing with Stress
Stress is a part of life, and for CEOs, it’s a daily expectation. You are expected to consistently perform under pressure and meet high expectations, regardless of the circumstances. This can lead to extreme, unnatural amounts of stress.
High levels of stress can be exceedingly unhealthy and can cause mood fluctuations, anxiety, and even depression. Exposure to natural environments can effectively act as an antidote to these issues. Nature can positively impact your mental health and help you with managing emotions such as irritability, loneliness, and sadness.
An Escape from the Grind
Remote workers and CEOs are more glued to their devices than ever before, which has led to large groups of employees dealing with what has been named “technostress.” This stems from operating in an “always on” culture and feeling as if your work and home life have intermingled into a single, inescapable entity. This can inevitably lead to mental fatigue. Nature can serve as a refuge to unplug from the digital world by providing a therapeutic environment, allowing CEOs to recharge and unwind.
Fostering Innovation
The job of a CEO is often a very taxing one. Driving strategy, growth, and innovation requires clear thinking and constant motivation. However, distractions and constant digital connectedness can also actively harm your cognitive skills. A British Journal of Sports Medicine study found that transitioning from a chaotic digital environment to a nature-filled setting not only decreased stress levels but also increased creativity and innovation among many workers and CEOs.
A study in the Journal of Environmental Psychology found that the outdoors boosts creativity and innovation, even if only for a short mental break. However, more significant contact with natural settings leads to even higher levels of creative thinking.
As a CEO, spending time with nature might seem challenging or inconvenient, but it doesn’t have to be. The ideal approach is to integrate nature into your existing routines. Committing to a weekly dose of spending time outdoors can help you become a healthier and more inspired individual, which could ultimately make you a much better worker and CEO.
