MIT Sloan Management Review Article on Creating Jobs and Workspaces That Energize People

We spend about 92% of our lives indoors, on average. That was true even before COVID-19 prompted people to hunker down and observe social-distancing protocols. Without intervention, it’s a trend that’s likely to continue long after the pandemic abates.

Excessive time inside is problematic in light of what’s called the biophilia hypothesis — the widely held idea that because humans evolved in close connection to nature, we still harbor a strong innate desire to be in contact with natural elements and processes. When we fulfill that desire, research suggests, we tend to experience greater vitality and willpower, feel a sense of mental clarity, and engage in increased helping behavior; when we don’t, findings indicate that we are more susceptible to stress, depression, and aggression. Imagine the impact that’s likely to have on work performance.