A taste of nature can provide balance and calm during the workday

"After a youth spent climbing trees and playing soccer, Anna Rose Smith found it difficult when her first job as a psychotherapist in Utah required working in a windowless office. So she spent her lunch breaks outside, walking to nearby fountains or gardens. She picked up flower petals or leaves from the ground and brought them back to her desk, where she would listen to recorded bird songs, sometimes incorporating the soothing chirps into sessions with clients."

"It helps to just have that reminder that these things are going on outside, Smith said. I can remember, no matter what happens in this room or with my job today, there's still going to be birds singing. Getting to trees or shorelines can be challenging during work hours, especially in cold weather and urban environments. But there are ways to enjoy the outdoors and to bring the natural world into your place of work, even if it's a windowless cubicle."

"Mobile devices mean virtual get-togethers also aren't limited to conventional work spaces. You can also attend Zoom meetings while walking a woody path. Smith will ask if she can participate in an online meeting with her smartphone and headphones, allowing her to still be able to get sunlight on my face or see water and plants and birds, she said. I do definitely feel more calm, Smith,"

Spending time in nature can invigorate and produce feelings of peace and calm. Many professions offer little time or access to the outdoors during the workday. A psychotherapist who once worked in a windowless office used lunch breaks to walk to fountains and gardens, collected petals and leaves, and played recorded bird songs, sometimes incorporating them into client sessions. Outdoor alternatives include scheduling meetings on park benches, walk-and-talk appointments, and attending virtual meetings while walking. Bringing natural items, sounds, sunlight, water views, or plants into workspaces can reduce stress and improve focus even in windowless or urban environments.

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