News & Insights: How plants in the office can reduce stress
Here are some tips we have learnt about a office set upReduce stress levels
Here are a few things to consider for your office which could increase productivity by reducing stress within the office & mental health issues within a team. Its so important to consider these areas, they are just as important with creating a safe environment to work in. Plants, Pictures, social media free days & themed days can all help. Pictures can increase productivity by 18% and plants can reduce stress by upto 30%. The smell, The feel, The look of the office is very important to create a environment that reduces mental health issues.
Plants – reduce Anxiety & stress (the office feel)
They reduce stress and anxiety. According to a study published in the Journal of Physiological Anthropology, active interaction with indoor plants (like touching and smelling) can reduce physiological and psychological stress. Having real plants (not plastic ones) can reduce mental health issues by upto 30% as well as bringing colour to the office. Plants can cost as little as £5 and are easy to look after.
Pictures – can increase productivity by 18% (the office look)
According to a sky news report in October 2018, having pictures in the office can increase productivity by 18%. Motivational words & company posters are useful however having pictures in the office can increase productivity and send positive signals to the mind.
Having one of the pictures being of water could also help positive mental health in the office. It is widely reported that being near water can help people with depression. Having pictures in the office of water can help.
Have a range of pictures, having a picture of water or a beach can send people to a ‘happy place’ when looking at it. As a employer, think about the pictures you have up. Funny Animal pictures are also great pictures to have up in the office. Company posters are needed but it is so important to have pictures up as well.
Modern office design – Scandinavian design (the office look)
Using modern items which have a Scandinavian feel can make a office look and feel clean & modern. This can all help to have a positive & productive team. JYSK & Ikea are great places to get a Scandinavian feel to your workplace, #JYSK for example have some great items that can create a great office space.
Scandinavian design is great, it looks good and often uses really good colours like white, green, yellow. In the office try and avoid black and dark reds.
Social media
It is reported that too much time on social media can be bad for mental health. If your team uses social media for work, it is really important that they can have whole work days away from it. Splitting the social media accounts between the team can be very helpful. Having social media policy is just as important as having a H&S policy, as social media can have a major impact on the health of the team.
Great Coffee – The Friday office smell
when you sell a house, they say to have real coffee smell coming from the kitchen. In the work place having a smell of real coffee for the team as they walk in on a Friday can send positive signals to the mind. We have this on a Friday, you can smell its Friday as you walk in with Waitrose strong coffee beans freshly grounded to make great filter coffee in the office. So often people forget about the smell, its one of the 5 senses and such an important one. We all know that 50% of the meal experience is by the smell & look – this is just the same with the office. Having it look smart, clean and a great smell is important. The coffee smell on a Friday does not cost much but has such a positive impact on the mind. #coffeefriday
Themed Days
Over the past 12 months, we have done Christmas Jumper day (Dec), Royal Wedding Afternoon teas (May), Pizza Friday (Jan&Oct), Cheese & Pate afternoon (Dec&April), Afternoon tea’s (March, Aug, Sept), Easter biscuits (April), Fish&chips friday(Feb), treat basket (nov). Having themed decorations can create a fun environment, which can reduce stress levels in the office. When the team walk in and see the office decorated, it can make a big impact. Most companies do this at Christmas, other times of the year can make a huge impact. These simple things can improve productivity.
The little things can make a big impact
These are just a few ideas that HtE Recruitment do, we believe that a healthy team become a productive team. This inturn benefits our clients, as they are supporting some of the UK’s best Hotels and Restaurants find chefs and Managers. Every company small or large should look at simple things that can help change the office like pictures, coffee smells and plants.
The look – The Feel – The smell: These are all very small things however can make a massive impact in your teams wellbeing. Simple things like plants can reduce stress levels.
Other News & Insight posts:
Growing your UK business in Autumn 2024 – News & Insights
Across the world and in the UK many companies feel they have been static for the past 3 to 4 years, going from one issue to another. Many company owners seen ready to grow the business now after being in "emergency" mode for the past few years.Static business means...
Autumn statement 2023 what it means for business – News & Insights
Here is a snap shot of the autumn statement in november 2023. here is a few points from the statement, the main one is a cut in ni by 2%. This means someone on £30k, will pay £28 less a month on ni tax.The UK Autumn Statement was announced on November 22, 2023 by the...
Unlocking talent: why feedback after 3 days might cost you talent – News & Insights
The Significance of Timely Feedback: Retaining Top Talent in Today's Competitive Job Market Introduction: In the fast-paced world of recruitment, acting swiftly is crucial to securing top talent. With the emergence of the digital age, candidates have higher...
Hiring for Attitude: Why Personality Trumps Skill Set in Recruitment – News & Insights
Introduction: In today's competitive job market, finding the perfect candidate can be a daunting task. As a leading recruitment agency in the UK, we understand that while technical skills are undoubtedly valuable, they are not always the sole determinant of a...
Unlocking Talent this Autumn: Why Companies Are Finally Taking Recruitment Off Hold – News & Insights
The past two years have certainly been challenging for businesses worldwide, with economic uncertainty and ever-changing market dynamics impacting companies in every industry. As the dust begins to settle and we enter the Autumn of 2023, there is finally a sense of...
Unlocking Talent this Autumn: Why Your Business Cannot Afford to Lack the Right Talent – News & Insights
Unlocking Talent this Autumn: Why Now is the Ideal Time to Recruit As we bid farewell to summer and welcome the crisp and colourful season of autumn, we also enter a crucial time for businesses in the UK. With the challenges brought about by the pandemic slowly...
Unlocking Talent this Autumn: Why Now is the Ideal Time to Recruit – News & Insights
Unlocking Talent this Autumn: Why Now is the Ideal Time to Recruit Introduction:As the leaves start to change colour and the cooler temperatures of autumn settle in, businesses in the UK face a unique set of challenges. From the impact of COVID-19 to rising energy...
Birthday freebies within Restaurants coffee shops and pubs UK – News & Insights
Birthday Freebie list updated Jan 2024 Birthdays are a great way to attract customers to your business, regardless if your a Restaurant, Hotel, Bar or Retail shop. There are so many discounts and with many companies having a App or newsletter, they are easy to...
The future of customer contact centres and call centres with AI starting to be used – News & Insights
As the business landscape in the UK continues to evolve, so too does the role of AI technology in the workplace. With the rise of automation in call centres, many businesses are now witnessing the benefits of improved customer engagement, alongside increased...
Contact us
Manchester Head office address:
3000 Aviator Way
Airport City Business Park
Manchester
M22 5TG
Call us:
0161 300 7862 (Northern Office)*
0203 542 6103 (Southern Office)*
Email: [email protected]