Earth Day (Friday, April 22, 2022) is a great opportunity to reflect on the beauty of the planet and the ways we can help take care of it.

Being in nature is one of the best stress management strategies out there. Experiencing nature helps restore the mind, which in turn contributes to improved work performance and higher levels of work satisfaction.

In this article, you'll learn how being in nature helps our mental wellbeing. Also, you'll find some activities you can do this Earth Day (or any day) by yourself or with your company to boost mental wellbeing.

How can nature benefit my mental wellbeing?

We are made to be in nature. With millions of Americans working desk jobs indoors, it is even more important to spend time outside!

Being outside has many benefits, including:

 
• Improved mood
 
• Reduced stress and increased relaxation
 
• Increase in physical activity

According to a Harvard study, people that walked in a natural setting instead of an urban one for 90 minutes experienced lower activity in the prefrontal cortex of the brain—the area of the brain that is active when we ruminate on negative emotions or repetitive thoughts.

We are constantly being bombarded by information from our devices. Being in nature provides a much-needed break from information overload and screen time.

Being connected to nature can help us connect socially, stay active, and manage stress—all key factors to our mental wellbeing.

The less stressed we are, the more productive we can be. It is so important to take breaks—being in nature is a great break throughout the workday.

Earth Day 2022 Employee Activity Ideas

Here are some things employees can do this Earth Day to take care of their mental wellness and the planet.

 
• Take a hike at a national park
 
• Take a walk
 
• Garden or do yard work
 
• Go biking
 
• Do a beach cleanup
 
• Kayak, swim, or paddleboard
 
• Go for a run in your local park
 
• Draw or paint something that is in your yard
 
• Read a book outside
 
• Write outside
 
• Have a picnic with friends and/or coworkers
 
• Do yoga or meditate outside

At Nivati, our employees love to mountain bike, run, ski, swim, hike, and so much more!

Earth Day 2022 Activity Ideas for Work

Earth Day activities for work are a great way to boost employee morale—and take care of the planet.

Here are some things your company can do together to celebrate Earth Day at work.

 
• Volunteer together. Pick up trash at a local park or around your office. You could even volunteer to help maintain a local nature preserve.
 
• Reward your customers for going green. Offer to give employees a small bonus if they bring some recyclables to work or bring their own lunch instead of eating out.
 
• Raise money or start a fundraiser to support a green cause in your community.
 
• Go on a hike together.
 
• Encourage employees to work outside for the day.

Looking for more inspiration? Check out some other employee morale ideas.

Disclaimer

By participating in/reading the service/website/blog/email series on this website, you acknowledge that this is a personal website/blog and is for informational purposes and should not be seen as mental health care advice. You should consult with a licensed professional before you rely on this website/blog’s information. All things written on this website should not be seen as therapy treatment and should not take the place of therapy or any other health care or mental health advice. Always seek the advice of a mental health care professional or physician. The content on this blog is not meant to and does not substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.