Working from Home with a View of Nature (and Sunlight) Benefits People's Well-Being

More employees are working from home (WFH) due to improved telecommunication technology and social distancing requirements associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Previous studies indicate well-being and productivity benefits from nature in office settings, as well as well-being benefits from nature during the pandemic, although the benefits of nature when WFH under social distancing requirements have not been explored. The aim of the current study, therefore, was to investigate the relationship between nature contact, well-being, and productivity among adults WFH. Three-hundred forty WFH participants completed online questionnaires assessing their well-being (Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale), productivity (Individual Work Performance Questionnaire), and contact with nature (Nature Contact Questionnaire: outdoor nature; for example, eating lunch outside, indoor nature; for example, live plants, house-based nature; for example, natural views from windows). Results indicated that contact with nature, specifically house-based nature contact, contributed to increased well-being. The benefits of house-based nature contact have implications for cost-effective and accessible strategies for organizations and employees to improve well-being while WFH.