While nature is good for everyone's mental health, it can also have a positive impact in the workplace, both for employees and for overall performance. With its ReNature programme, UNature draws on 15 years of scientific research to offer companies practical solutions to promote well-being in the workplace. And the figures confirm the benefits of taking action in this direction.

According to UNature, citing studies by Right Management and Wellness and Productivity Management, an organisation that neglects the health and well-being of its employees is four times more likely to lose talent over the course of the year. Moreover, according to the American Psychological Association, employees experiencing burnout are 2.6 times more likely to actively look for another job.

Among younger people, a company's environmental commitment is becoming a decisive criterion: 70% of 18-30 year-olds consider it decisive in their career choice. This is a major challenge, given that, according to the Relief Research Chair in Mental Health, around 55% of employees suffer from a mental health problem. Faced with this finding, companies are reacting in different ways: some are taking their teams to the heart of nature, while others are incorporating natural elements into their workspaces.

UNature offers companies programmes that include forest outings supervised by trained guides. "Our ReNature programme allows us to organise immersions in nature to raise awareness among our teams. The effects on the body and mind are very tangible. In the earth, for example, a bacterium called Mycobacterium vaccae has a positive impact on depression and anxiety", explains Julie. Nicknamed the bacterium that "boosts gardeners' spirits", it stimulates the production of serotonin - the happiness hormone - which regulates mood, sleep, memory and even libido, as well as that of dopamine, linked to emotions.

"We also support companies in their sustainable development initiatives through workshops, training courses and conferences. Recreating a link with nature is a powerful lever for both well-being and sustainability", adds UNature's Managing Director.

Biophilic design to bring nature into the office

In other cases, it is nature that invites itself - at the request of companies - into the office. "In Luxembourg, we have been asked several times to redesign offices by companies that want to take better account of their employees' well-being and mental health. There is research that leads to biophilic design. We're not designers, but we can give them the arguments to move in this direction," says Julie Schadeck.

In a society where the visual aspect takes on a predominant role, UNature recommends playing on visual contact with nature. Julie Schadeck gives a few examples, such as "orienting offices so that you can see nature through the window. If that's not possible, you can bring in plants. If that's not allowed, you can always display photos or wallpapers with nature. There are also benefits

Whether the company's preferred method is indoors or outdoors, according to Julie Schadeck, there are many benefits: "better attention and therefore increased productivity, reduced stress, increased creativity... You could even broadcast sounds reminiscent of nature, in the toilets for example. It gives the impression of a break. It may sound too easy, but it makes sense," insists Julie Schadeck.

Science and euros to convince companies

Yet, for many companies, taking nature into account seems to be seen more as a "little bonus" than a real strategic investment. And yet... "We want to explain the benefits to companies on the basis of science, not impressions. The scientific basis makes it more credible. In fact, more and more studies are also showing the impact on absenteeism. Talking in euros speaks louder to companies," says Julie Schadeck.

Employees seem to be easier to convince. In fact, when she goes out to meet workers in companies, Schadeck always approaches the subject with a very concrete exercise, asking employees what their ideal workspace would look like. "The answers are almost always the same: they talk about natural light and a natural setting. The managers and CEOs I do this exercise with also have the same answer!"

"And if we were nature" organised by UNature will be held from Wednesday 21 to Friday 23 May at Luxexpo, alongside the Fourth World Conference Forests & Parks for Public Health.

On the programme (register online by following the links below):

- Wednesday 21 May: Nature and mental health.

- Thursday 22 May: Environmental Education.

-Friday 23 May: Nature-based urban planning.