Time Outdoors to Improve Staff Well-Being
A study of Cornell staff examining time spent outdoors both at home and at work, and impacts of access and exposure to nature on varying behaviors and health outcomes. Note: this project originally targeted youth behaviors but was required to pivot due to COVID-19 and our inability to engage youth at the time.
2019-2021
What are we trying to do or learn?
This study examined where and how often staff spend time outdoors in nature (both at home and while at work) and whether outdoor time and activities vary depending on demographic characteristics, home location, access to nearby nature and workplace culture or policies. We also sought to understand whether time spent outdoors impacted staff well-being.
Where and with whom?
The study was conducted with staff at Cornell University; all staff (including part-time and temporary) were eligible to participate. The study was carried out in 2020 while many staff were working remotely due to COVID-19 protocols and so also allowed us to understand the impacts on outdoor time and activities due to this significant change in daily routines and settings.
Approach & Methods Used
An extensive survey was made available to all Cornell staff; approximately 500 staff completed the survey. Survey participants were then invited to participate in 45-60 min follow up focus groups; 41 staff members participated.
Findings & Publications
Loebach, J., Meredith, G. & Rakow, D. (2022). Time outdoors in nature to improve staff well-being; Examining changes in behaviors and motivations among university staff in the use of natural outdoor environments since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. Frontiers in Psychology Special Issue: Mental health promotion during Covid-19: Applications from self-care resources, lifestyles and environments, 13: 869122.
Loebach, J., Meredith, G., Rakow, D., Shepley, Ml & Farooquee, M. (2022). The impact of nature engagement on the health and well-being of staff at Cornell University: Reflections and experiences through COVID-19. (Lay report for Cornell Administration)
Loebach, J., Rakow, D., Shepley, M. & Meredith, G. (under review). Workplace barriers to spending time in nature to support staff well-being: A comparative case study. Journal of Environmental Psychology. Link to Preprint