Numerous studies have enumerated the positive effects of having greenery or more greenery in your workplace.

Everything around us, plants, animals, and human beings alike, in our physical environment, conducts energy. Achieving a sense of harmony with them makes us more productive in the home, as well as all the other spaces that we inhabit in the built environment.

Greenery is vital to our wellbeing. It helps to reduce stress according to a 2010 study by the New University of Technology, Sydney, Australia. When plants were introduced to their workspace, results included a 37 percent decline in reported tension and anxiety; a 58 percent decline in depression or dejection, a 44 percent decline in anger and hostility and a 38 percent reduction in fatigue. The consensus drawn was that just one plant introduced to a workspace had a phenomenal impact on staff morale and well-being thus boosting performance.

The colour green has a relaxing and calming effect on us physiologically. It is no coincidence that the fourth of the body’s chakras, the heart chakra, is located between the thymus (thyroid chakra and the third or solar plexus chakra and is synonymous with the colour green and represent the emotional body’s energy field.

Plants improve memory retention and concentration by shifting the brain into a different processing mode, having the effect of relaxing us.

Greenery connects us physically, cognitively and emotionally with our work and with those around us.

Design which is inspired by nature is known as biophilia or biophilic design.  In global working environments, 20 percent of people are reported as having no natural elements in their workspace and nearly 50 percent of workers have no natural light. Thirty percent of employees globally determine this to be the deciding factor in going to work for a new company. They also clean the air and equally importantly aid in reducing noise levels of background office conversation in shared workspaces when larger pot plants are carefully positioned in multiple locations around the edges and corners of a room.

As human-beings we have an innate desire to connect with nature.  Unfortunately the physical environment of many workplaces does not recognize this and it is often stripped of its connection to the natural environment.

Some enlightenment is evident in that indoor plants will be visible in the reception area of a company.  However, that is as far as it extends and there will be no further signs of greenery beyond that.

They lower physiological stress, wellbeing, increase attention and improves our general physical well-being and boost creativity.

Lean processing should not be held as a priority above plants to adorn a workspace.  It’s widely proven that plants make people feel happier at work, they contribute massively to employee health and the overall financial health of the company.

It can enrichen a minimalist or empty space and improves productivity and employee engagement by up to 15 percent.

In Norway, they introduced this in the 1990’s, as the Agricultural University of Norway found that the introduction of plants to one office was attributable to a 25 percent decrease in symptoms of ill health, including fatigue, concentration problems, dry skin and irritation of the nose and eyes. In 2011, Dr Tove Fjeld further attributed a positive change in the psychosocial working environment to the presence of plants. The resultant sense of wellbeing created also affects our sense of well-being. So dare to connect.

The next time you meet a Wexford farmer complaining about the fodder crisis and lack of sunshine and heat to dry up the ground after a desultory long winter, or indeed any outdoor worker. Offer them a cup of tea and a plant or even a tree to boost their mental wellbeing.

Actions speak louder than words and plants say it most eloquently of all as they’re all heart. Remember that the next time you’re browsing in a local plant centre and bypass the beautiful plants and trees in search of your coveted cup of coffee in the café. Give them, the plants and the people your time and attention.