It’s been proven that being in nature for as little as five minutes boosts mood and increases self-esteem. While the benefits of physical activity are well-documented, these benefits compound when we take our activity outside. Spending time outdoors helps us feel calm and connected to ourselves and our surroundings.

“There are increased benefits of spending more time in nature and leaving technology behind such as improved short-term memory, enhanced working memory, better problem solving, greater creativity, lower levels of stress and higher feelings of positive well-being.” – David Strayer, Dept of Psychology, University of Utah

Encourage outdoor breaks

Providing opportunities to take breaks during work hours — and outside — can help your workforce:

• Recover from stress and mentally demanding tasks
• Improve mood and self-esteem
• Learn to enjoy exercise and be more likely to stick with it long-term
• Increase overall job satisfaction
• Enhance performance and productivity

Given current COVID-19 recommendations, please remind your employees to keep 6 feet between themselves and others, and to refrain from gathering when they are being active outside.

For the most up-to-date COVID-19 information, visit the Hennepin County COVID-19 page or the Minnesota Department of Health.

Ideas for action — for now or later

• Establish a walking route near your building using Google Pedometer. Create and post a map of the route to encourage employees to walk. Routes of ½ to 1 mile are best for quick breaks during work hours. You could also share this link with employees who may want to map out a route near their home.
• Encourage employees to keep a pair of tennis shoes and socks at work and create a written guideline that allows employees a 15-minute walking break. This sample language can help you get started.
• Consider planting a worksite garden, another creative way to encourage outdoor activity. See how you can start a giving garden (PDF).
• Join the Hennepin County Step to it challenge. Step to it is a family-friendly activity challenge that motivates people of all ages and abilities to become more physically active from May 1-28.           
• Watch for our new Take it outside! physical and mental well-being campaign coming soon from Hennepin County Health@Work. This four-week campaign encourages employees to discover the mental and physical health benefits of being active outside. Employees log their time and make note of their mood immediately before and after getting outside.
• Share this month’s E-tips “Go outside to feel better fast” with your employees (see below).

Back to top

Click here to read this month's E-tips for your employees: "Go outside to feel better fast."

To share these E-tips with employees, you can:  

• Email the E-tips document to your staff as an attachment. 1) Click the link to download and save the E-tips to your computer. 2) Add your organization's logo in the bottom left corner. 3) Then send it as an email attachment to staff. 
• Print the document once you've added your organization's logo and post it in a common area in your workplace.
• Copy and paste the text into your organization's newsletter.

Back to top