Little Office of Non-Horrors; or How Office Plants May Improve Worker Productivity
What does your office space look like? Maybe it looks like mine with a few pictures of family, friends, and some inspiring posters to keep you motivated or make you smile, just enough to keep me relaxed and focused on my work. Or at least that’s what the points supposed to be. Unfortunately most decorations just end up turning into a distraction.
Interestingly a series of studies are showing that the use of live plants as decorations is beneficial for worker productivity. Since plants have a “reverse” respiratory system to us they have the ability to change our used carbon dioxide back into oxygen. Plants also have the ability to remove toxins from the air like formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene.
A 2011 study published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology found that sitting in an office space with foliage and flowers improved study participants scores in cognitive reading tests. Other studies have found plants reduce anger, anxiety, and depression in the office space.
Whether it’s the removal of toxins and the addition of oxygen or just the benefit of sitting with something organic that causes a positive response, plants can be a cheap way to increase office productivity. Personally I wouldn’t mind getting some Venus fly traps and drosophyllum as long as it’s name isn’t Audrey.
<——- Feed Me! (Yes, another little Shop of Horrors Gag)
office plant via shutterstock
carnivorous plants via shutterstock