We all breathe 10,000 liters of air every day. Up to 90% or 14 kilos of this is indoor air.
We cannot underestimate the impact that good air has on our cognitive function.
A study by Harvard shows that employees who work in an environment with high air quality have 61% to 101% higher cognitive performance, compared to employees breathing lower quality, chemically infused indoor air. Intuitively we know that we feel better and more energetic when we breathe high quality air.
Our brains need high quality, clean air for fuel, to aid concentration and energy. Työterveys Aalto in Jyväskylä and its personnel are familiar with this phenomenon and have demonstrated the impact good air can have. Receptionist Jutta, and company nurse Päivi have seen a tremendous impact on their wellbeing at work through the introduction of better indoor air.
Three years ago the company installed 10 Naava green walls systems. They have since added a further 3 installations. The company had previously done extensive research to identify and eradicate the causes of various ailments suffered by the employees. No solution was found.
With the installation of the Naava green walls these issues have all but disappeared. The green walls benefit the employees and visitors, and have infused the building with fresh, forest air.
Tiredness prevents us from living life to the fullest
Poor quality indoor air can cause many symptoms, including skin problems and headaches. One of the most insidious effects of poor air quality is crushing tiredness.
In the afternoon, after a long day ingesting poor air, the body is crying out for rest, and we lose the ability to function at full capacity. “I could have slept for more than 12 hours after a day at work!”. For Jutta her tiredness was a normal and expected part of her day before the Naava green walls were introduced.
We know the feeling of vitality and energy that we get from spending time outdoors, amongst nature, when we breathe fresh, clean air. Our bodies and minds crave this feeling when we surround ourselves with low quality, synthetic air.
For Jutta and Päivi the Naava green walls have brought this fresh forest air into their everyday working lives, and have alleviated the tiredness that assaulted them daily. They have more energy during the day and when they head home after work. Time has been given back to them and they are able to fully enjoy their free time, as they no longer have to spend this time recuperating after a day at work.
Nature is the secret behind increased work productivity
Naava enhances wellbeing in several ways. It naturalizes indoor air, and brings the beauty of the forest to indoor spaces. Research confirms that being in contact with nature during our day reduces stress levels in employees and decreases the number of sick days taken in companies.
Employees who have this daily contact with nature, and natural air, report higher feelings of wellbeing, and feel more productive, more creative, and healthier than those who don't have the luxury of this natural exposure.
“I guess it is some kind of a primitive reaction in us, nature is so close to our heart and soul.”
The visual beauty of the Naava installations hasn't gone unnoticed in the premises of Työterveys Aalto. “I guess it is some kind of a primitive reaction in us, nature is so close to our heart and soul.”
Jutta and Päivi find that the presence of the Naava walls enhances the overall look and feel of the office. The large wall behind the reception desk welcomes staff and visitors the the space.
"We can’t imagine the office now without Naava. They are beautiful and bring light and interest to our office." They work exceptionally well in the company’s health clinic. "Many people ask to touch the plants and want to check if they are real," reports Päivi.
High quality indoor air enhances our feeling of wellbeing
It is clear that the improvements on air quality has boosted the wellbeing of personnel in the company. Better quality air has reduced the symptoms previously experienced by staff, and has reduced the number of sick days taken.
Personnel are now requesting that the green walls are installed in their private offices, as well as in communal areas. People miss it when they are not in direct contact with the Naava walls.
People feel better when they are able to help control their own health
We can see from this case study the benefits that people derive during their working day by being in contact with Naava green walls and the pure clean air they generate.
Once people have enjoyed the benefits that Naava brings, they do not want to give them up!
For Päivi, the impact was so profound that the prospect of moving to a new work area, and away from the Naava she was used to, was a horrifying idea. She had to persuade her employer to allow her to remain in proximity to the installation.
She, and others, have realised that they are able to enhance their health and wellbeing during her day at work, rather than leaving at the end of day drained and exhausted. Once people have enjoyed the benefits that Naava brings, they do not want to give them up!