Effects of a sensory garden on workplace wellbeing: A randomised control trial

Chronic stress impacts workplace wellbeing. To counter this, stress recovery and attention restoration theories assert a need for nature connection. However, the impacts of environmental design typologies are poorly understood. This research sought to explore the potential of salutogenic design as a stress-reducing health promotion tool for 'apparently well' people in a workplace setting. A randomised controlled trial compared 'apparently well' (n = 164), 18-65-year-old staff and students at a University campus in Auckland, New Zealand. Participants were recruited and randomised into two intervention groups, sensory garden (SG; n = 57), and urban plaza (UP; n = 51), and a control group (CG; n = 56). SG and UP participants had a monitored 'appointment outdoors' for 30 min once weekly for four weeks. All participants were tested for salivary cortisol, perceived wellbeing, productivity, perceived stress, nature relatedness preand post-intervention; data were analysed using generalised linear models. Significant intervention effects (SG vs control) were observed for salivary cortisol (-16.1% [95% CI: -32.0%, 0.2%]; p = 0.048), wellbeing (6.9% [95% CI: 2.7%, 11.1%]; p = 0.001) and productivity (2.8% [95% CI: 0.1%, 5.5%]; p = 0.040). Although not significant, a surprising trend towards negative effects of the Plaza on wellbeing (-4%[95% CI:-8.78%, 0.35%]; p = 0.071), productivity (-2% [95% CI:-5.38%, 1.34%]; p = 0.238), and perceived stress (19% [95% CI:-59.87, 21.49]; p = 0.355) were observed when compared to the SG group. This study suggests a sensory garden effectively reduces stress, enhances wellbeing and improves productivity of 'apparently well' people in the workplace. Future wellbeing initiatives should explore opportunities for nature connection in their setting.

Automated summary

The study suggests that engaging in sensory garden activities in workplace settings can significantly reduce stress, enhance wellbeing, and improve productivity, with better effects compared to urban plaza activities.