The nature cure: Encouraging well-being in the workplace

With 76% of adults now reporting stress levels that impede daily function, a new Cornell study points to a low-cost intervention hiding in plain sight: nature.

The study, published in March 2026 in ScienceDirect, found that changes or improvements in workplace policy, culture and outdoor amenities could facilitate more time outdoors to aid well-being for staff at large organizations like universities.

"Organizational policies that encourage staff to spend time in nature during their workday can be an accessible and equitable intervention to improve well-being and save costs at scalable levels," said Gen Meredith, a study co-author and associate professor in the Department of Public and Ecosystem Health at the College of Veterinary Medicine.

The study team included researchers from the colleges of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Human Ecology and Veterinary Medicine.

The research noted that work-related stress negatively affects worker mental health, costing U.S. employers up to $187 billion annually in lost productivity and health care expenses. However, a broad body of research shows that time spent in nature offers restorative benefits. "Spending even five minutes in natural outdoor environments helps lower stress and anxiety, increase focus and attention, and contributes to a greater sense of well-being," Meredith said.

With that knowledge in mind, the Cornell research team explored the use and benefits of natural outdoor environments in a modern workplace where high workloads, inflexible schedules and negative work culture might exacerbate stress levels.

They conducted a natural experiment during and after the COVID-19 pandemic when the workplace required alternative work arrangements, which showed that staff were able to engage more with natural outdoor spaces when working from home to support stress relief and improved mental health.

However, staff did not retain that engagement with nature when they returned to the workplace due to perceived barriers, including lack of free time during the workday, long commute times and limited daylight. Other barriers included the perception that workplace culture disapproved of time spent away from the desk. Barriers differed by position type, job status and race.

The team's research suggests that supporting this outdoor time requires a shift in workplace culture to enable individuals to change behaviors. Study participants suggested that workplaces might consider changing their cultures and norms to better support breaks throughout the workday. Respondents also spoke about the value of accessible and usable outdoor spaces, including outdoor seating for work meetings.

Improving workplace well-being is a priority within many organizations, and engaging in natural outdoor environments is a low-cost intervention, Meredith said.

Leaders who use nature to address workplace stress could leverage an opportunity to increase worker well-being, organizational resilience and productivity. By legitimizing time spent outside in nature and investing in low-cost infrastructure, institutions can move from a reactive care approach to a proactive wellness strategy, Meredith said.

"Utilizing our natural surroundings as natural refueling stations is an effective way to invest in our collective vitality," she said.

Karli Rizzo is an external communications specialist at the college of veterinary medicine.