Nature improves your health and productivity.
CEOs face a lot of stress from many angles. Managing their personal lives while leading a company can often put a CEO’s health on the back burner. With increased responsibilities and expectations of success, physical, emotional, or mental health can get neglected.
Given these factors, it’s not surprising that 55% of CEOs report experiencing mental health issues in the past year, a significant increase from the previous year, according to the 2024 Workplace Empathy Survey. CEO mental health is a significant issue that requires greater awareness and action. While meditation, executive therapy, physical activity, and personal hobbies are common strategies, nature is one underutilized tool that can significantly improve leadership and mental well-being.
The value of nature
The world is becoming increasingly urbanized, with two-thirds of the population predicted to live in cities by 2050. While cities have many benefits, spending time outdoors is crucial for physical, emotional, and mental health. According to a study published in 2019, Nature A study of 19,806 participants found that spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature can significantly benefit overall health and well-being. While time is often a constraint for CEOs, the study also noted that breaking down their time into smaller chunks can still provide significant benefits.
Spending time in nature, especially surrounded by trees, is a practice called shinrin-yoku (forest bathing) in Japanese. Business Insider According to the report, forest bathing has a positive impact on nearly every aspect of our lives. In today’s modern society, stress levels are skyrocketing, especially among CEOs and C-suite executives. Although it may seem like an indulgence, spending time in nature is a powerful tool for improving mental health and executive leadership through three key benefits:
1. Improved mood control
Stress is a part of life, especially for CEOs who are expected to consistently perform under pressure and meet high expectations. But excessive stress over time can lead to burnout, making it difficult for leaders to effectively handle the responsibilities of their various roles. High levels of stress and burnout can also lead to mood swings, anxiety, and even depression.
Being in a natural environment can help relieve stress and anxiety. Journal of Happiness and Health Studies have found that nature has a positive impact on mental health, acting as a calming emotional sanctuary. What’s more, nature can help manage feelings of frustration and loneliness that many CEOs experience.
2. An opportunity to escape from the everyday and relax
In today’s increasingly digital world, it’s becoming harder to “switch off.” Remote workers and CEOs are glued to their devices, leading to “technostress.” Operating in an “always-on” culture increases digital overload and attentional residue – the cumulative cognitive cost of switching from one task to another. Combined with the pressures of leadership, this further leads to mental fatigue.
Nature acts as a refuge to disconnect from the digital world by providing a soothing environment where CEOs can refresh and relax. Being in nature helps to stop the constant mental noise and rumination. CEOs often bring work with them wherever they go, but not all tasks benefit from constant attention. Nature provides an environment for recovery and turning off parts of the mind that can easily tire.
3. Increased focus and innovation
Driving strategy, growth and innovation requires clear thinking, but constant distractions and patchy digital connections can hinder focus. British Journal of Sports Medicine Studies have shown that moving from a hectic environment to a green space reduces frustration, puts you in a more meditative state, and increases creativity and innovation.
the study Journal of Environmental Psychology Being outdoors, even for a short mental break, has been shown to boost creativity and innovation. But deeper contact with the natural environment leads to even higher levels of creative thinking. As a CEO, finding time to connect with nature may seem difficult or inconvenient, but it doesn’t have to be. The ideal approach is to incorporate nature into your existing routine. Here are some suggestions:
- If applicable, go for a walk outside instead of a virtual call.
- Opt for a company retreat in nature.
- Engage in physical activity in nature.
Getting in touch with nature once a week will make you a healthier, more creative, calmer, more emotionally intelligent leader and ultimately a more effective CEO.
