Helpful Tips

Interior Plants Reduce Stress in Offices

Granada Hills, CA, October 1, 2001 – Research indicates that interior plants can play a critical role in reducing stress throughout corporate America. Our security uncertainties and current economic environment are placing added stress on American workers. When stress escalates, employers report greater rates of absenteeism and lower productivity. Any slump in asset performance is always detrimental but even more consequential now as America rebuilds its economy and spirit.

Human Resource experts are reinforcing the rule of providing employees with an environment that includes elements known to comfort and inspire workers during their “off” time. Gallup polls indicate that 2/3 of Americans cite gardening as their favorite hobby. Similarly, studies conducted by Dr. Roger Ulrich, (Texas A&M University) and Dr. Virginia Lohr, (Washington State University) confirm that visual exposure to plant settings has produced significant recovery from stress within five minutes while enhancing productivity by 12%. Another study out of WSU verifies that once exposed to plant settings, test persons demonstrated more positive emotions such as happiness, friendliness, and assertiveness and less negative emotions such as sadness and fear. Interior plants offer employees a much needed touch of humanity while stimulating a more productive environment.