Stereotypically places of poor lighting, cramped desks, and minimal privacy, today’s workplace is now shifting into a more creative and flexible environment. Workers are demanding better treatment, working conditions, and atmospheres that are conducive to productivity.

While spending time outside might seem counterproductive, doing so can be well worth the wellness and productivity boost that’s gained through outdoor activities. It can also assist with better employee-employer relationships. An “International Journal of Environmental Health Research” report shows that just 20 minutes in a park can result in huge well-being enhancements. Workers that spend their lunch hour outdoors, can easily achieve a short midday walk and still leave enough time to enjoy a nourishing lunch.

How Does Outdoor Time Improve Productivity?

According to Harvard Business Review, happier workplaces are more productive workplaces, and going outdoors offers the opportunity to create this happiness. There’s a strong association between time spent outdoors and productivity too — many studies have found being exposed to nature strengthens people’s memory and sharpens their attention.

Some ways that spending time outdoors can boost productivity include:

1. Provides Stress Relief

When teams have opportunities to get outdoors and connect in nature, it can be a strong antidote to the type of prolonged stress that’s seen more and more in the workplace. With company nature retreats, teams can unplug both literally and metaphorically from types of day-to-day routines that often encourage unsustainable behaviors and decrease productivity.

Teams will often return from these types of nature retreats feeling rejuvenated and invigorated both as a group and individually. They frequently report that their sense of cohesion, connection, and performance continued once they returned to the workplace. They also report feeling an expanded perspective and a greater sense of clarity, which are both invaluable during uncertain and complex times.

2. Provides Balance

Going outdoors can help you find balance and relief, particularly if you experience stress regularly that easily distracts you from your day-to-day tasks. In fact, research shows that exposure to sunlight strongly influences energy levels and mood, and both variables are frequently correlated with productivity. Similar to how food is the body’s molecular information, sunlight is energetic information that informs our cells and brains to function and be awake while also setting conditions for the body’s metabolism. 

3. Supports Creativity & Attention Span

When it comes to sports, it’s widely recognized that rotating intervals of high intensity with rest and recovery are important to sustain high performance. Now, while the workplace is hardly as physically demanding as the world of athletics, it can still be emotionally and mentally intense, particularly in the present operating environment. As reflected in the Great Resignation trends, high levels of burnout and exhaustion have consequences that continue to repeat worldwide. 

However, it’s not enough for people to only discipline themselves to take time off of work to rest and recover. What’s equally important is what they’re doing during these rest periods. Spending time in nature helps with things like:

This time spent outdoors shouldn’t be seen as a vacation from building essential skills like these, but rather as a foundational resource for the team and individual development.

Boost Productivity With These Company Outdoor Activities

Here are some fun ideas you can try to get the team outdoors and into nature.

1. Company Picnic

Company picnics can foster collaboration, improve morale, and show your team your appreciation. You may have certain individuals in a bigger office environment who have never spent a whole lot of time together. Therefore, inviting them to meet and engage in activities and games on a company picnic can help to foster more collaboration and productivity between departments.

2. Outdoor Company Retreat

Company retreats not only foster better collaboration but also help foster new ideas and innovation by immersing participants in a more relaxed, alternate atmosphere. You can decide on the activities to include in your company retreat and how long you’d like it to be. The goal here is to create effective, thoughtful getaways.

On your company retreat, you can schedule outdoor activities such as hiking, boating, and perhaps something a bit more adventurous, like zip-lining. The exercise along with the fresh air will help your team members energize and make time for them to socialize with their colleagues.

Improve Team Productivity With Frogbridge Events in New Jersey

At Frogbridge Events, we specialize in organizing events and activities that encourage team morale and productivity. No matter what you require in a workplace event, we can likely help. We’ll handle all the nuts and bolts of company outdoor activity or event details no matter what size of team you have.

Whether you’re throwing a company picnic, a nature walk, or a full-blown company retreat, let Frogbridge Events help you. We help you bring the venue, activities, and catering together that you’ll need to make your outdoor company event truly memorable while promoting productivity. Call us at (609) 208-9475 or fill out our contact form to learn more about our venue for group events, parties, company retreats, and other special events in the surrounding areas of New Jersey.