There are few things we believe in more than the power of being outside! It's the foundation of everything we do here at Offsite, as we design and develop the best remote work environments possible.
Working remotely has both its upsides and downsides. For many, it can be difficult to stay motivated and productive while working from home or a co-working space. Whether it's distractions by family, roommates, neighbors or just that overwhelming desire to do the dishes and then organize your bookshelf for the third time this week before you sit down to work, it can be difficult to focus or conjure the motivation to really get into work mode. For others, the freedom to work remotely has the opposite effect, allowing them to create spaces for deep focus and prolonged attention on a task. All of us though, need a break sometimes. When you're feeling burnt out or distracted, one of the best ways to get focused and productive is to connect with nature.
Before.
During.
After.
Research has shown that even looking at nature on a screen can increase productivity. We haven't conducted any official studies ourselves, but here at Offsite we make sure to carve out time every day to get out and get inspired and refreshed. Below are some findings from people who have conducted research::
You'll increase your productivity. Just 40 seconds of looking out into nature can have an effect! We recommend short walks every few hours to hit the reset button.
Spending time in nature is good for your health, which is good for you! We're not even talking about exercise here, just taking in the outdoors can lower your blood pressure.
You'll be more creative. The diversity of the natural environment is a wealth of inspiration and contemplation.
You'll be in a better mood. Being outside for short durations has been linked to increasing positive emotions.
It's clear that there are a lot of benefits to finding time to be outdoors during the workday. This is especially true in the winter, when we might not be getting out as often as normal. The days of being locked in the office 8 hours a day are behind us, and we're realizing that the freedom to work remotely comes with a lot of perks, one of which is the freedom to get outside and get motivated. Cordele Glass writes in his article 'Creativity and the Natural Outdoors':
Scientists have found that mental fatigue and concentration can be improved by time spent in or looking at nature. Attention is like a muscle that can become fatigued if sustained on one specific thing for too long. Using what is known as Attention Restoration Theory, scientists have begun to find that exposure to natural environments can help the brain recover and replenish its ability to direct attention. This means time in nature can give us more attention available for persistently sticking to our problem solving and seeing our ideas through.
Whether you're struggling at home to find a way to get motivated, or you're looking for a way to fire up your team, get outside and see how you feel.
Offsite is committed to building the best remote work environments possible. Backed by science and a love and respect for nature, we're providing the best possible spaces to work remotely. If you have any thoughts, ideas or experiences working remotely, we'd love to hear about them!