10 Ways How Business Owners Can Create A Happier Work Environment By Using Natural Elements

Julie Starr • November 14, 2022

There are plenty of ways to make a business more enjoyable for employees – and one of them is by incorporating natural elements into the work environment.

Here Are Some Tips On How To Do Just That:

1. Bring in some plants

Adding some greenery to the office can help boost employee morale and create a more pleasant atmosphere. Not only do plants look nice, but they also help purify the air and improve indoor air quality .

2. Let in some natural light

Working in a dark, cramped office can be pretty miserable. If possible, try to let in as much natural light as possible – it will make the space feel more open and cheerful, and it can also help improve productivity levels.

3. Use natural materials

Using natural materials like wood and stone can give the office a more calming, earthy feel. And employees will appreciate not having to work surrounded by harsh, artificial materials all day long.

4. Add some water features

Another way to bring in some calming nature-inspired elements is to add a water feature like a small fountain or an aquarium . The sound of trickling water can be very soothing, and it can help drown out any stressful noise from the rest of the office.

5. Get some fresh air

If your office is starting to feel stuffy, take a break and step outside for some fresh air. Even just a few minutes spent outdoors can help clear your head and give you a much-needed break from the hustle and bustle of work.

6. Bring in some nature-inspired art

Hanging up some calming, nature-themed artwork can help create a more pleasant environment for employees. And it can be a nice way to add some personal touches to the office space.

7. Encourage employees to take breaks

It’s important to encourage employees to take breaks throughout the day – especially if they’re feeling stressed out or overwhelmed. Stepping away from work for even just a few minutes can help clear their head and improve their overall mood .

8. Offer flexible working hours

Allowing employees to set their own working hours can be a great way to improve work-life balance and create a happier work environment. And it can also help boost productivity levels since employees will be able to work when they’re feeling most productive.

9. Allow pets in the office

If your office allows it, encourage employees to bring their pets to work with them. Having animals around can help reduce stress levels and make the workplace feel more pleasant and comfortable .

10. Create an outdoor working space

If your office has an outdoor area, make sure to take advantage of it! Setting up some chairs and tables in the fresh air can be a great way for employees to take a break from work – and it can also help improve their focus and concentration levels.

In Closing

Providing health and safety support and making small changes to create a happier work environment can have a big impact on employee morale – and it can also help improve productivity levels and business bottom lines. So don’t hesitate to start incorporating some natural elements into your office space today!

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Simple Steps To Make Your Office Space More Eco-Friendly

By Julie Starr • 07 Oct, 2024

Becoming more eco-friendly and running a greener business is a responsibility that business owners really need to think more about. The good news is that if you spend a lot of time in your office, there are plenty of ways to make it more eco-friendly without having to overhaul everything and start again (which isn’t just disruptive, but expensive too). So, if you’re ready to get started, here are some simple steps to make your office space more eco-friendly; read on to find out more. Use Energy-Efficient Lighting This idea is a simple one that you can do no matter what else might be on your list of tasks - it’s quick, easy, and really makes a difference; change your light bulbs to something more energy efficient. If you’re still using traditional fluorescent bulbs, it’s time to upgrade to LED which doesn’t just last longer, but also uses a lot less energy. They’re easy to install and they’ll help you cut down on your office’s energy usage almost instantly. If possible, you should make the most of natural light too, so think about rearranging your workspace to let in more sunlight, which saves energy and can boost your mood - it’s a win-win that you can do right away. Prioritize Air Quality The air you breathe matters, and keeping it clean can do wonders for your health and the planet. One way to improve air quality is by adding plants to your workspace because plants are natural air purifiers, and as a bonus, they’ll make your office feel more inviting. Another great idea is to make sure your office’s HVAC system is working efficiently, and having air duct cleaning done by professionals is an easy step you can take to improve air quality and ensure your heating and cooling systems aren’t wasting energy. Clean air ducts mean cleaner air, less strain on your system, and even lower energy bills, so it’s a simple but really effective thing to do. Switch To Reusable Products If your office is still stocking up on single-use plastic items, it’s time for a change - swap your disposable cups, utensils, and plates for reusable ones and you’ll be surprised at how much waste to eliminate. And what about encouraging people to bring their own mugs and water bottles to work? Give them tea, coffee, and water to refill everything with, and you’ll be doing your bit to help the planet and have less waste to deal with as well. And don’t stop with these things either - there are loads of reusable products that could be useful in your office. You could have refillable pens and ink cartridges for your printer, for example. Go Paperless Speaking of your printer, is that an office machine you actually need? If you were to go digital and aim for a paperless office , you might be able to do away with the printer, which means less money spent on ink and paper, and less energy used altogether. You should be able to set up a system where documents can be shared online and stored electronically, and there are plenty of tools around to help you do exactly that (and much more). If you don’t need to print something and you don’t need a physical copy of a document, don’t make one - just use the digital version instead and you’ll be a lot more eco-friendly.

3 Most Unsustainable Industries & What They're Doing To Be More Eco-Conscious

By Julie Starr • 04 Oct, 2024

Sustainability often gets pushed on the common person. Joe Public is told to be more sustainable with their daily habits as the government pushes for more eco-friendly measures. This is all well and good - but does it really matter when 71% of greenhouse gas emissions come from just 100 companies around the world? Small business owners are desperate to prove their sustainability, but what are bigger companies in some of the most polluting industries doing to help? We’ve taken three of the least sustainable sectors on the planet and explored the unique ways they’re trying to cut down on emissions and be more eco-friendly. Mining Any industry revolving around drilling underground will not be very environmentally friendly! Mining causes a lot of pollution, but its unsustainability often comes from the way it damages local environments and ecosystems. So, what is this industry doing to change things? It’s largely focusing on more responsible mining practices to reduce waste and mitigate the impact on local environments. This is done through mining dust suppression systems to prevent airborne pollution, reforesting mining sites when they’re no longer in use, and recycling as many materials as possible. Is it perfect? No, but it’s a step in the right direction. Fossil Fuels Shock horror; the fossil fuels industry is the most damaging to our environment. Finding ways to change the scope of this sector is the key to ensuring a better future for all. Some companies in this industry are trying to do this through carbon capture and storage. This is a technique where CO2 emissions are captured before they’re released into the atmosphere and stored underground. Realistically, the main thing fossil fuel companies should be doing is pushing for more renewable energy sources. Many are doing this - though reports suggest they’re not investing as much as they should. If fossil fuel companies dumped more money into developing biofuels and other renewable sources, pollution from this industry would drop dramatically. Fashion The most unbelievable stat to take from this post is that the fashion industry is responsible for 10% of our global carbon footprint . That’s remarkable (and worrying), considering how most of us don’t view it as a “dangerous” industry. Fast fashion is the main problem; poorly-made goods are pumped out at a rapid rate, and consumers constantly buy new things. Fashion companies are trying their best to resolve this. Most big brands will now have sustainable lines using recyclable materials. Consumers also hold the key to solving this problem: stop buying new clothes all the time and wear yours for longer. Or buy pre-owned clothes to slow down the fashion production line. Companies can still do more as well: they are trying to adopt more eco-friendly production processes that use less water and energy. The moral of this post is that everyone can do their bit to fight for a more sustainable future. Keep this in mind for your small business . It doesn’t matter what industry you’re in; there will always be ways to promote eco-friendly practices.