In spring our living and working habits changed abruptly: we moved into home offices, did our best to find a balance between work and private life, and many of us spent much more time than usual behind screens. As all kinds of indoor entertainment and sports venues were closed, life in forests and parks was in full swing. It was great to be outdoors, in any weather! At least I didn’t meet a single grumpy person on the forest trails.
It has been scientifically proven that being and moving in daylight in nature and fresh air has a hugely positive effect on our stress tolerance, immunity, brain function and mood. Heading into the dark and snotty season ahead, with the threat of a second wave of coronavirus, the question arises: “Can office work also be done outdoors, to support our health and lift our mood with fresh-air baths?”
Probably not every kind of work, but meetings can certainly be held outdoors. One-to-one or small-group meetings in the fresh air can even be more successful than meetings held within four walls, because fresh air and movement help creativity take off.
I talked about this with Merike Kull, head of the University of Tartu Movement Lab and leader of the non-profit Schools in Motion.
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5 things you need for a walking meeting:
- A way to take notes: a clipboard, a hardcover notebook or a smart device.
- Clothing suited to the weather: comfortable clothes and shoes.
- A relatively quiet environment. Some sounds from the surroundings can even enrich the meeting, but constant noise disturbs concentration.
- A small group: more than three people can’t walk and talk side by side well, and a bigger group should be split into subgroups that discuss a given topic and then gather at an agreed time for a standing or sitting meeting in one place to bring everything into a shared space of thought.
- The will to try something new
PS! A 1:1 walking meeting can also be done successfully at a distance, using a phone with headphones.
What holding a meeting outdoors gives you:
- Fresh air = a fresh head. As the brain gets extra oxygen, our thinking is clearer and runs faster. Conscious, deep breathing is a simple and always available way to calm the mind, focus and create clarity in our thoughts.
- Messages from nature = creativity boosters. All our senses get more stimulation in nature, and this awakens creativity. When holding a meeting in nature, it is worth noticing the “disturbances” from the environment, e.g. a crow cawing or a sudden gust of wind. By asking yourself: “What did the scent of the flowers or the wind want to tell us just now?” or “What does this topic look like from the crow’s point of view?”, you can arrive at new, unexpected lines of thought or solutions.
- Sun = joy and health. Being outdoors in nice weather always lifts your mood, which in turn helps cooperation. The sun supports our health even when it is hidden behind a cloud, and it is worth going for a walk even in the rain (although then you can’t take written notes well). Rain is a great calmer and helps concentration.
- Screen-free time = presence. When outdoors, we at least leave the computer at home, and it is advisable to leave other smart devices behind too. That way we can concentrate better on what is happening here and now. If needed, notes can be taken with good old pen and paper, using a hardcover notebook or a clipboard.
- The body moves = the mind moves. Putting the body to work deepens breathing and gives the body extra oxygen, which also makes the brain work better.
- Being connected to the earth = relieving stress. In the context of office work this may sound extreme, but I recommend finding a chance every day, in any weather, to connect with the ground, because it literally grounds us and helps restore inner balance. Electrical systems need earthing, and so do we as people, because energy flows within us too. Modern shoes don’t allow us to be in contact with the earth, so it is good to consciously create opportunities to walk barefoot. Sitting on the ground works the same way if you wear clothes made of natural materials. Or simply touching the earth with your hands. If you have experienced the calm of working with your fingers in the soil, you know what I mean. I recommend grounding especially in tense situations. Just go outside, connect with the earth for 15 minutes and then come back to your work. If you add deep, calm breathing, the change is even quicker and more powerful.
We need movement and fresh air. To maintain our vitality and sanity, for every hour spent behind a screen we should spend an hour moving in the fresh air and being connected with nature.
Next time you plan a meeting, think about whether you could hold it outdoors. Even a walk in a city park, besides getting ideas flowing, is a great support for your body and mind.
