Research suggests planting a "tree" on your desk may reduce "stress"
Recent research from Japan indicates Company employees who must work at the desk all the time And experiencing high stress problems Because of fear of missing work or because of the boss and work environment You may choose to plant a small tree on the table to help reduce the stress here.
Research team at Hyogo University In japan The test was conducted on 63 company employees aged 24 to 60 and spent three weeks working on computers 40 hours a week and published a summary of the results in a journal. HortTechnology Which is a print by The American Society for Horticultural Science is focused on delivering research trials by horticultural experts, doctors and scientists.
The research came after it was found that Salary workers in Japan are experiencing soaring stress that they are becoming increasingly ill at an alarming rate. Therefore planned research under the assumption that Many employees are less concerned with the benefits of trees in reducing stress from work. And do testing on real people at work Unlike previous research That are mostly done in a laboratory or almost realistic situation
Dr Masahiro Toyada, who led the research team, concluded that If employers encourage employees to take a 3-minute break to “rest in nature”, the employee's mental health can actually improve.
To perform the test The team chose to use the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) anxiety scale along with the pulse rate measurement. Before and after the break by the first week The test subjects will not have trees on the table. To compare with the results in Week 2 and Week 3, the test subjects chose their favorite plants to set on the table and learn how to care
The results of the research indicated that Most of the participants' stress levels gradually decreased while their pulse rates decreased. Which shows that The sympathetic nervous system, or the nervous system responsible for controlling the activity of certain organs. Which works beyond one's power And often stimulates the heart to beat fast and hard Became more calm.
About half of the positive feedback from the project participants. The research team concluded that Each person's feelings of sensitivity and love can help reduce stress levels.
In addition to the issue of stress This research also concludes that After a break between work Then sit and admire nature Or in this case Is to look at their plants for 3 minutes, then come back to work Test participants have improved concentration.
However, the researchers agree that Planting trees on your desk doesn't always relieve everyone's stress. Because the pulse rate of some test participants increased simultaneously With stress levels While having trees does not even affect some project participants.
Dr. Toyoda thinks that in some people's stress levels The probable reason is probably because They are in fear of taking good care of their plants. While the tree itself looks worse, that is, it withers or looks close to death. In the case of those whose trees do not have much effect Probably because those people were so accustomed to having trees that they didn't feel anything special anymore.
But the researchers also stated that Creating a green environment that reflects nature in the workplace is becoming more and more popular. This reflects the growing need for mental health solutions.
Dr. Charles Hall from Texas A&M University added that Although many people are already well aware that The tree is really beneficial to humans. But this research is something that reinforces this fact to all more people. Ready to say that Plants on your desk are not the only factors that reduce stress. But looking out the window to admire nature Or taking a break from work for a few minutes and going out for a walk in the park should also have positive results.
Dr. Hall concludes that it's better than having a tree on your desk to remind us to take a break and reduce stress. Is to rest your eyes on the green of the trees without having to think or speak for 3 minutes, which is like Mindfulness Having a mind in the present.
