11 Powerful Ways to Harness Nature for Peak Performance

When it comes to boosting your workplace performance, nature probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. But beyond enhancing well-being, spending time outside can offer surprising professional benefits.

With the arrival of spring, it’s the perfect time to step outside and experience these advantages firsthand.

How Nature Can Benefit Busy Professionals

For busy professionals, spending time in nature can have a powerful impact in ways you might not realize. Here are a few notable examples.

Enhances Mood

Spending time in nature boosts serotonin and dopamine in your body, naturally enhancing happiness. It also gives your mind a break from the constant stimulation of urban life, making it easier to stay present and focused.

Boosts Creativity and Problem–Solving Skills

Studies have shown that experiencing the great outdoors can immensely boost creative thinking and problem-solving skills. As such, many top executives, including Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg, have used walking meetings to stimulate their creativity and strategic thinking.

Strengthens Working Memory

A University of Michigan study found that those who walked in nature improved their short-term memory by 20% compared to those who strolled in an urban environment. As such, it can be assumed that natural environments enhance memory retention and cognitive flexibility overall.

Improves Sleep Quality

Exposure to natural light helps manage your circadian rhythms, improving sleep quality. If you experience high-quality sleep, you’ll enjoy less stress overall and better performance in your daily life.

Optimizes Decision–Making

Surrounding yourself with nature has also been shown to decrease impulsive decision-making. Additionally, with fewer distractions, lessened stress, and greater creativity, you can make better decisions for yourself and your team.

11 Tips to Leverage the Benefits of Nature

Want to experience these benefits but unsure how to fit them into your busy schedule? Here are some time-efficient ways to incorporate the power of nature into your daily life.

1. Plan Walking Meetings in Green Spaces

When your schedule allows, plan walking meetings in a nearby park. Walking stimulates innovative thinking, reduces stress, and promotes team building in a relaxed setting. These meetings are time-efficient and combine exercise with productivity.

2. Schedule Outdoor Thinking Time

Make it a point to take your brainstorming and decision-making out of doors. Schedule this time into your work calendar and then go to a green space to reap the benefits.

3. Adopt Sunrise or Sunset Rituals

Start or end the day with a sunrise or sunset ritual. After you wake up, enjoy your coffee while watching the sun rise in your yard, or take a walk around a nearby park after dinner.

4. Bring the Outdoors In

Why not bring a touch of nature indoors? Add plants to your workspace to enjoy nature from your desk. Low-maintenance options like cacti or pothos are excellent, while snake plants and aloe vera offer extra oxygen-boosting benefits.

5. Practice Forest Bathing

Engage in the mindfulness practice of forest bathing by finding a quiet hiking trail and immersing yourself in the woods. Set aside your phone and fully connect with the greenery around you. Focus on how each of your five senses interacts. Let go of any concerns about reaching the end of the trail or the top of the mountain and just allow yourself to “be.”

6. Take Your Workspace Outdoors

If you have access to a balcony, park, terrace, or patio, take the opportunity to work amidst nature’s beauty. If stepping outside isn’t an option, open your office window to breathe in the fresh air.

7. Create a Green Commute

Walk or bike through nature-filled routes to transform your commute into a refreshing and environmentally friendly experience. If that’s not feasible, park further from the office to enjoy a longer walk outdoors.

8. Take a Weekend Micro–Retreat

Plan weekends away with a specific nature focus. Head to the ocean for a refreshing dose of sea air, try camping in a forest for a deep connection with nature or rent a cabin by a national park for breathtaking views. Even a simple day trip—hiking in the mountains, kayaking on a lake, or strolling through botanical gardens—can provide the mental and physical benefits of time outdoors.

9. Exercise or Meditate Outdoors

If you already have an exercise or meditation routine, why not take it outside? Swap the treadmill for a brisk walk in the park and enjoy the fresh air. Want to elevate your outdoor experience? Try earthing shoes with conductive soles to connect directly with the Earth’s natural energy.

10. Savor Your Meals Outside

Ditch the desk lunch and step outside for a refreshing change of scenery. Head to a nearby park, garden, or even a cozy café patio to enjoy your meal in the fresh air.

11: Listen to Natural Sounds

Last but certainly not least, consider playing soft nature sounds in the background while working. Whether it’s rain, ocean waves, or birds, this readily available audio can help you focus and de-stress.

The Bottom Line

Spring is the perfect time to incorporate more nature into your routine to boost workplace performance and well-being. Need an easy way to stay on track? Sign up for our free Habit Manager app to build lasting habits that set you up for success!