Is Nature the Missing Ingredient in Your Workforce Well-Being Strategy?
A free members-only eventNovember 9, 2026
Winter Park, FL
Green space. Blue space. The evidence is clear and compelling: Time in nature has a surprisingly wide array of benefits for physical and mental health and well-being, as well as cognitive performance.[1–4] Rigorous research supports the impact of nature exposure on blood pressure, cardiovascular health, inflammatory markers, cortisol, depression, anxiety, and immune function.[1,2,4–8] Combining nature and physical activity appears to supercharge the beneficial effects of both9 and may lead to average reductions in health care costs of more than $1000 annually.[10]
Biophilic design, which is focused on infusing nature connections into buildings, is gaining momentum in workplaces given its capacity to improve creativity, productivity, and well-being.[11,12] A meta-analysis of 49 studies revealed that biophilic design had a medium to large effect on increasing positive emotions and decreasing negative ones.[13]
Experts recommend a minimum “nature dose” of 120 minutes a week, [14,15] raising important questions about whether fostering nature contact and connections is an overlooked key component of employee health and well-being strategies.
This Think Tank will explore the latest research on the link between well-being and nature, best practices in implementing biophilic design, and practical, low- or no-cost strategies employers can implement with in-person or remote workforces to increase nature connections and promote time in nature.
Learning Objectives:
- Name at least three health benefits of sufficient exposure to or time in nature.
- List at least two strategies employers can implement to increase employees’ nature contact.
- Identify three changes that can be made to in-person and remote workspaces to increase connection to nature.
References:
- Schertz KE, Berman MG. Understanding Nature and Its Cognitive Benefits. Curr Dir Psychol Sci. 2019;28(5):496-502. doi:10.1177/0963721419854100
- Bratman GN, Anderson CB, Berman MG, et al. Nature and mental health: An ecosystem service perspective. Sci Adv. 2019;5(7):eaax0903. doi:10.1126/sciadv.aax0903
- Chen H, Burnett RT, Bai L, et al. Residential Greenness and Cardiovascular Disease Incidence, Readmission, and Mortality. Environ Health Perspect. 2020;128(8):087005. doi:10.1289/EHP6161
- Keith RJ, Hart JL, Bhatnagar A. Greenspaces And Cardiovascular Health. Circ Res. 2024;134(9):1179-1196. doi:10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.124.323583
- Jimenez MP, DeVille NV, Elliott EG, et al. Associations between Nature Exposure and Health: A Review of the Evidence. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(9):4790. doi:10.3390/ijerph18094790
- Li Q. Effect of forest bathing trips on human immune function. Environ Health Prev Med. 2010;15(1):9-17. doi:10.1007/s12199-008-0068-3
- Pritchard A, Richardson M, Sheffield D, McEwan K. The Relationship Between Nature Connectedness and Eudaimonic Well-Being: A Meta-analysis. J Happiness Stud. 2020;21(3):1145-1167. doi:10.1007/s10902-019-00118-6
- Nguyen PY, Astell-Burt T, Rahimi-Ardabili H, Feng X. Effect of nature prescriptions on cardiometabolic and mental health, and physical activity: a systematic review. Lancet Planet Health. 2023;7(4):e313-e328. doi:10.1016/S2542-5196(23)00025-6
- Christiana RW, Besenyi GM, Gustat J, Horton TH, Penbrooke TL, Schultz CL. A Scoping Review of the Health Benefits of Nature-Based Physical Activity. J Healthy Eat Act Living. 2021;1(3):154-172.
- Land Trust Alliance, US Fish and Wildlife Service. Investing in Nature: The Economic Benefits of Protecting Our Lands and Waters. Accessed April 6, 2026. https://a.storyblok.com/f/120093/x/4d34103ad3/usfws-landtrustalliance-economic-benefits-brochure-1.pdf
- Larson J. Biophilic design in the workplace improves creativity, wellbeing and productivity. University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. May 7, 2024. Accessed April 7, 2026. https://arb.umn.edu/blog/2024/05/07/biophilic-design-in-the-workplace-improves-creativity-wellbeing-and-productivity
- Cooper R. Human Spaces: The Global Impact of Biophilic Design in the Workplace. 2015. Accessed April 7, 2026. https://greenplantsforgreenbuildings.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Human-Spaces-Report-Biophilic-Global_Impact_Biophilic_Design.pdf
- Gaekwad JS, Sal Moslehian A, Roös PB, Walker A. A Meta-Analysis of Emotional Evidence for the Biophilia Hypothesis and Implications for Biophilic Design. Front Psychol. 2022;13:750245. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.750245
- White MP, Alcock I, Grellier J, et al. Spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature is associated with good health and wellbeing. Sci Rep. 2019;9(1):7730. doi:10.1038/s41598-019-44097-3
- Sheikh K. How Much Nature Is Enough? 120 Minutes a Week, Doctors Say. N Y Times. June 13, 2019. Accessed March 24, 2026. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/13/health/nature-outdoors-health.html
Accommodations
- The Alfond Inn
- Park Plaza Hotel
- Hilton Garden Inn Winter Park
- SpringHill Suites by Marriott Winter Park
With support from
