Alfresco Breaks Boost Productivity: Lessons from the Workplace Trends Conference

At yesterday’s Workplace Trends conference, NicolaMillard reminded us that the brain can only cope with four hours of intense work each day – see Pang for more details. It reminded me of Tony Schwartz’s Energy Project, which proposes we can work intensely for 90-minute periods, so long as we take a proper 20-minute break between them, and three such periods of intense work per day is more than most will achieve. Also, let’s not forget the Display Screen Equipment Regulations which recommends a 10-minute break every hour or so. Counterintuitively, it seems the key to productivity is to take regular breaks. 

UlysseDormoy, Bob Fosbury and Glen Jeffery explained that our mitochondria, the cell’s batteries, require near-infrared light to energise us, reduce aging and aid recovery from illness. They went on to explain that the current trend for white LED lighting, with no infrared, can lead to red light starvation, mitochondrial dysfunction and poor health. One answer is exposure to infrared light sources such as naked flames, but the simpler answer is spending at least 20-minutes per day outside. 

The link between sunlight and Vitamin D production is well documented. As I highlight in my previous book, Beyondthe Workplace Zoo, Vitamin D is exposed in our skin when exposed to sunlight, it allows the body to absorb calcium which is essential for strong and healthy bones. Vitamin D deficiency is also associated with muscle weakness, immune system disorders, cognitive impairment, fatigue and depression. Sunlight is therefore essential for long-term productivity. 

Natural light also regulates our circadian rhythm and sleep patterns. Sunlight stimulates cortisol and serotonin to be released which increases alertness and readies us for action. In contrast, sunlight suppresses melatonin and as daylight fades more melatonin is produced inducing relaxation and aiding sleep. Lack of daylight, such as those offices without windows or with deep floor plans, are likely to result in lethargy and loss of productivity.

Based on the above findings on daylight, spending a little work time outdoors each day clearly has long-term health and productivity benefits. 

Access to natural light is a core biophilic design principle, even though biophilia is more associated with greenery and landscapes. Again, as I highlighted in Beyond the Workplace Zoo, Park and colleagues found that forest bathing, or Shinrin-Yoku, helped reduce stress, measured through heart rate, blood pressure, cortisol levels and immune function. Furthermore, the Kaplans proposed Attention Restoration Theory after finding that exposure to nature can reduce mental fatigue, improve the ability to focus and reenergise those conducting taxing work. A study by the University of Kansas found that lateral thinking (creativity) improved by 50% after the participants spent time walking in the countryside. Simone Ritter found that lateral thinking improved by 15% when people were exposed to new experiences, such as an alternative route to work, as it unlocked “functional fixedness”. 

Based on the above findings, spending a little work time outdoors around nature also has long-term health and productivity (creativity) benefits.  

I therefore propose regular alfresco (or more accurately all'aperto or fuori) breaks amongst nature for enhanced wellbeing and performance. Such breaks could be a solitary walk (particularly good for creativity and problem solving), a walk with one or more colleagues, sitting or dining with colleagues (for socialising and connection) or an outdoor meeting, either sitting or walking (great for one-to-one meetings and brainstorming). The alfresco breaks can take place in nearby parks and gardens or, if available, in the landscaped surroundings or roof terraces of the office. 

Don’t just sit there, go alfresco!