The Effects of Workplace Nature-Based Interventions on the Mental Health and Well-Being of Employees: A Systematic Review

This systematic review evaluates the effectiveness of nature-based interventions (NBIs) in real-world workplace settings. As mental health issues in the workforce become a growing economic and societal concern, researchers are increasingly looking toward nature exposure—such as green exercise, nature savoring, or office landscaping—as a cost-effective, preventative strategy to foster employee well-being.

The authors conducted a systematic review following PRISMA guidelines, searching five major databases for randomized and non-randomized controlled trials published up to November 2018. The study included 10 interventions across nine papers, involving 611 employees. The researchers categorized these interventions into three types: green exercise (physical activity in nature), nature savoring (mindful attention to natural elements), and green office space (incorporating plants into the workspace). They assessed the risk of bias using the Cochrane RoB 2 tool, noting that the diversity of outcomes necessitated a narrative synthesis rather than a meta-analysis.

The review found that NBIs generally have a positive impact on mental health indices and cognitive performance. Nature savoring interventions, in particular, demonstrated consistent positive results, though they were studied less frequently. Results for recovery, restoration, work satisfaction, and psychophysiological indicators (such as blood pressure or cortisol levels) were inconsistent, with some studies showing benefits while others found no significant changes. The authors emphasize that while these interventions are ecologically valid, the high risk of bias in the underlying studies—often due to poor adherence, lack of blinding, and small sample sizes—requires cautious interpretation.

Workplaces are often neglected as settings for preventative mental health care. This review suggests that integrating nature into the work environment is a feasible, low-cost strategy that could complement traditional clinical interventions. However, the authors argue that the field is still in its infancy and requires more rigorous, theory-driven research to move beyond small-scale pilot studies and establish clear, evidence-based guidelines for employers.