The power of nature... even in the office 🍃

Burnout cannot be solved with productivity.

More and more people are reporting acute states of exhaustion, anxiety and excessive time spent online. On the other hand, there is less and less quality free time. Burnout is no longer a dirty word, just a reality that is part of our routine, as if it were natural. It is not!

In 2020, when we were all forced to stop, I decided to return to the Azores. It was only when I really slowed down that I realized that my anxiety levels were very high. I felt guilty every day because I thought I should be producing. It didn't matter what, just doing it and preferably in front of a monitor.

I think we can all relate, in one way or another, because we tend to live in a fast-paced environment and living on autopilot has become the norm.

It is said that if the history of humanity had 24 hours, the period of our disconnection from nature would have been only 2 minutes. These two minutes are equivalent to the period since the industrial revolution.

We spend more and more time in closed, artificial, fast-paced environments overloaded with stimuli — far from what our nervous system recognizes as “safe” and “balanced”.

This disconnection is making us sick because the human body and mind have evolved for the most part in natural environments. For thousands of years, we have lived in direct contact with the rhythm of the seasons, fresh air, natural light, outdoor movement and silence. This separation contributes to the rise of illnesses such as anxiety, depression, dreaded insomnia and chronic fatigue.

But then, what can we do to minimize this impact?

It is neither practical nor feasible to head for the nearest forest or mountain every time we need to slow down.

Nature has this gift of refocusing us — even when we are far from it. All we need to do is remind our bodies of what it means to be in contact with nature.

Studies confirm: contact with natural environments helps to :

• Reduce stress and anxiety

• Improve concentration and creativity

• Reduce mental fatigue

• Regulate blood pressure

• Increase overall well-being

But we don’t need a forest to reap these benefits. We can take nature with us to work.

A plant on your desk, a picture of a natural place, or even listening to nature sounds while you work can make a difference.

Pauses that restore: small gestures for big changes at work.

Here are some SUGGESTIONS that you can try (alone or with colleagues):

• Change of scenery: whenever possible, leave your workstation during your break — even if it’s just to the window or balcony.

• Sensory break with elements of nature: having a stone, pine cone or leaf on your table can serve as an anchor. Pick it up, observe it, feel it.

• Listen to natural sounds: playlists with sounds of the forest, the sea or gentle rain help to calm the nervous system.

• Short walk in silence (5-10 minutes): no distractions. Just the sound of your footsteps and breathing.

• Screen-free break: Even if you only have 5 minutes, choose to take a break without your phone, computer or television. Sit down, observe your surroundings, listen to the sounds around you, and drink water slowly.

If you slow down, the world doesn't fall apart — it adjusts.

You might be thinking, “But I don’t have time.” And maybe that’s true. But what if you start with 2 minutes? What if today you just take a mindful break? What if tomorrow you go to the window and breathe some fresh air?

Transformation is not in the size of the gesture. It is in the commitment to yourself. 🌱

we are nature 🌿