Be An Outsider at Work {Interview}

WHY BEING OUTDOORS –  EVEN AT WORK – CAN INCREASECREATIVITY, PRODUCTIVITY & HAPPINESS

Are you energized by a beautiful spring day? Once you leave the office for lunch, does it clear your head and help you focus more? There are good reasons for these feelings. Experts say it’s the power of nature. Research shows that being outdoors has benefits to physical and mental health. But how can we take advantage of those benefits when we spend a whopping 95% of our time inside? Especially when half of that time is spent at work. Experts say there’s a way to work more time with nature into your life – both in and out of the office.  The latest research into biophilia – man’s innate relationship to nature – shows that the outdoors can increase our productivity, creativity and happiness. In addition, spending more time outside can provide a wide range of benefits including:

• Reduced stress
• Improved short-term memory & concentration
• Decreased risk of illness and absenteeism
• Better sleep

Experts say it’s not just about taking breaks, but instead reaffirming the connection. With technology creating a more dynamic and flexible workforce that allows employees to work from anywhere, there’s a movement underway to encourage everyone to spend more time outside – even at the workplace.

Leigh Stringer, an internationally renowned workplace strategy expert & author, has teamed up with the outdoor experts at L.L.Bean to explore the benefits of stepping out of your cubicle and getting outside for work. Stringer will reveal the findings of a new survey exploring the benefits of and barriers to working outside, and offers advice and ideas from her own work to bring the outdoors into your workday such as:

• Host a Blue Sky Brainstorm: Boost creativity and output by taking the brainstorm to an outdoor space
• Walk & Talks: Managers and teams can connect in the de-stressing outdoor environment. The simple act of physically moving in same direction strengthens common bond
• Have a Refresh Session – Get outside even just for a break or over lunch to rejuvenate you for the tasks ahead

Join me in a recent interview with Leigh Stringer to discuss the benefits of spending more time outside. She’ll discuss the “Outsiders at Work” movement, being introduced by L.L.Bean and partner, Industrious, as they launch the world’s first-ever outdoor collaborative workplace kicking off in Madison Square Park. New research will also detail people’s perceptions and desires when it comes to spending outdoor time during their workday.

See the entire interview here:  https://youtu.be/SS-eQImzKMc

For more information, go to beanoutsideratwork.com

Bio for Leigh Stringer

Leigh Stringer, LEED AP, is an internationally renowned workplace strategy expert & author whose work with corporate, governmental, higher education and institutional clients has transformed employee well-being and organizational performance. Her clients include Google, Under Armour, LG, Johnson & Johnson, Bank of America, American Express, among many others. She is the author of two bestselling books The Green Workplace: Sustainable Strategies that Benefit Employees, the Environment and the Bottom Line and The Healthy Workplace: How to Improve the Well-Being of Your Employees—and Boost Your Company’s Bottom Line

Interview and photos courtesy: L.L.Bean