Written by Georgie Robinson, 15, who spent the week with us for her work experience.
Today, more people are working from home than ever before. Coronavirus has meant that many people who previously worked in an office environment are now spending their days cooped up at home in front of a computer screen. This raises the question: Is it healthy to spend that much time inside?
Studies have shown that the average desk-based employee can spend 70% of their day indoors on a computer, which can have huge consequences on both mental and physical health, and increases the chances of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Not to mention, spending too much time indoors can impact your ability to focus, and spending just twenty minutes in the open air does the same thing as one cup of coffee, just without any of the less-welcome side effects!
Staring at a computer screen for hours without a break can lead to bad eyesight, back pains and much more. So, taking regular breaks to look away from your screen is vital for your health. While working inside, there is only so much you can look at. But outside, seeing different objects in nature from a distance can relax your eye muscles and encourage you to look away more often.
Trees, natural light, and fresh air are all said to have a positive impact on mental wellbeing, which is why having an outdoor space to work is so beneficial. You may be worried that spending time outdoors could result in doing less work, but nature actually helps relieve stress and prevents distractions. This results in more productivity and fewer sick leaves.
The Workplace provides outdoor workspaces and desks with lots of natural light, so even if working outside isn’t your cup of tea, you can still have access to sunlight and nature. It is scientifically proven that walking among trees can improve your short-term memory by 20%, so being situated near Montpellier Park also makes it easy to go for a stroll and clear your head during breaks.
