Health Benefits of Working From Outside

With an increasing number of people working from home, some are taking it to the next level by working from outside. With a variety of mental and physical health benefits, taking your work outside is a great way to improve your daily life. Whether you take your laptop to a park or work from your backyard or balcony, there are many ways to transform your work life for the better.

What Does It Mean to Work From Outside?

Working from outside (WFO) is a new trend in working from home – where you can complete your daily work outside in a natural environment. WFO is especially easy for those who already work from home. Without being tied down to a specific office building, you can easily find a place to work without being trapped indoors.

Examples of WFO locations include:

• • Coffee shops with outdoor seating
  • Parks
  • Backyards
  • Balconies
  • Pergolas, porches, patios

By working outside in nature, you can reap the benefits of being outdoors without falling behind in your job.

What Are the Benefits of Working From Outside?

In a traditional office setting, many workers spend all day stuck indoors. It is estimated that the average person spends 90% of their time inside. 

Spending all day sitting inside without any exposure to sunlight or fresh air can be detrimental to your mental and physical health. 

Read along to learn how swapping your indoor office for an outdoor workspace can positively impact your health and wellbeing.

Increased Energy Levels

By exposing yourself to fresh air and sunlight when WFO, you can naturally increase your energy levels. Rather than relying on stimulants like coffee or energy drinks, moving your workspace outside is a great way to naturally feel more energetic. 

With the natural energy you gain from working outside, you won’t have to worry about a caffeine crash later in the day.

Reduced Feelings of Anxiety

Spending time outdoors is linked to several mental health benefits. One of the major benefits of WFO is reduced feelings of stress and anxiety. 

Whether you take a short outdoor walk between meetings or move your computer outside for the day, being out in nature is a great way to feel calm and elevate your mood.

Decreased Exposure to Indoor Air Pollutants

In an indoor environment, air pollutants are two to five times more common than in the outdoors. 

Consistent exposure to indoor air pollution can lead to various negative health effects, including:

• • Eyes, nose, and throat irritation
  • Headaches
  • Dizziness and fatigue
  • Respiratory diseases
  • Cancer 

By WFO and limiting your time indoors, you can decrease your exposure to these harmful pollutants, therefore decreasing your risk for health issues.

Boosted Feelings of Creativity

In addition to spending time WFO, walking outside can also lead to improved brain function. By taking short walks periodically throughout your workday, you can experience an estimated 60% increase in creativity and problem-solving skills. 

To maximise these benefits, try walking to your favorite outdoor work location instead of driving.

Increased Happiness

When trading your indoor office space for the great outdoors, you will notice an increase in your happiness levels. Even if you’re only outside for as little as 30 minutes per week, it has been proven that it can decrease your depression by 7%. 

With an improved mood, the workday will be more enjoyable and go by faster.

Lower Blood Pressure

In addition to increased levels of happiness, spending 30 minutes outdoors per week can also decrease your risk of high blood pressure. High blood pressure can lead to many adverse health effects including:

• • Headaches
  • Vision problems
  • Fatigue
  • Heart palpitations
  • Shortness of breath

By reducing your time spent indoors, you can help decrease your risk of heart disease and other high blood pressure symptoms.

Natural Pain Relief

When compared to those who spent their time indoors, people who regularly spent time outside had reduced levels of inflammation. 

Rather than spending your time inside and continually reaching for pain medication, WFO can provide you with natural pain relief.

Better Cognitive Function

While WFO, you may notice yourself becoming more productive. This is no coincidence, as spending as little as an hour outside has been linked to a 20% improvement in memory and attention span. 

By WFO, you are not only improving your mental and physical health, but also your performance.

Tips For Creating an Outdoor Workspace

Now that you know all of the benefits that WFO can provide, you may be wondering how you can successfully work from your outdoor space. 

Check out this helpful infographic from Angi to learn more about how you can create a comfortable and effective WFO space.

References

 Included directly via hyperlinks.

If you'd like more information on how to set this up safely
– avoiding hidden hazards, then book a call with Lucinda today.