Chronic stress is one of the biggest hidden costs any company carries. The good news: brief contact with nature measurably reduces it, and a garden puts that nature within reach of your team during the workday.
What the evidence shows
A University of Michigan study, published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology in 2019, measured biomarkers in saliva and found that just 20 to 30 minutes in contact with nature significantly reduces cortisol, the primary stress hormone. Lead researcher Dr. MaryCarol Hunter described that window as the most efficient "dose."
Why it matters at the office
An employee who steps up to the garden on their break isn't "wasting time": they're getting a documented physiological benefit. Across an entire organization, less stress translates into less burnout, less absenteeism, and better relationships among colleagues.
How a corporate garden activates it
The garden turns an ordinary break into a restorative one: contact with plants, natural light, and a simple, satisfying task. With guidance from a wellness specialist, those breaks become a healthy habit instead of an occasional luxury.
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Sources
Hunter, M. R., Gillespie, B. W., & Chen, S. Y.-P. (2019). Urban Nature Experiences Reduce Stress in the Context of Daily Life Based on Salivary Biomarkers. Frontiers in Psychology, 10.