RESEARCH

Effects of a Sensory Garden on Workplace Wellbeing: A Randomised Control Trial

The study found that spending time in a sensory garden significantly reduced stress (-16.1%), improved wellbeing (+6.9%), and enhanced productivity (+2.8%) compared to both an urban plaza and a control group. These results suggest that biodiverse green spaces are more effective than paved urban plazas in promoting workplace mental health and productivity.

Program Types: Therapeutic

Population Groups: Burnout/Workplace Stress

Setting or Context: Workplace Environments

Health and Wellness Outcomes: Improved Mental Health, Enhanced Emotional Well-being, Increased Sense of Belonging (Reduced Isolation), Improved Cognitive Function

Allied Profession Intersections: Landscape Design

Type of Activity: Sensory Stimulation, Outdoor Gardening, Mindfulness/Visualizations

Evidence Type: Peer-Reviewed Studies, Randomized Controlled Trials, Quantitative Research

Measurement and Evaluation: Metrics for Mental Health, Patient-Reported Outcomes, Standardized Assessment Tools, Program Effectiveness

Access: Available Upon Request

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Summary

This study investigated the effects of spending time in a sensory garden on workplace stress, wellbeing, and productivity compared to an urban plaza and a control group. Researchers conducted a randomized controlled trial with 164 staff and students at a university in New Zealand, assigning participants to one of three groups: sensory garden, urban plaza, or no outdoor intervention. Participants spent 30 minutes per week outdoors for four weeks. Results showed that the sensory garden group experienced significant reductions in stress, as measured by salivary cortisol (-16.1%), along with improvements in perceived wellbeing (+6.9%) and productivity (+2.8%). In contrast, the urban plaza group showed trends toward negative effects on wellbeing and productivity, suggesting that the design and biodiversity of the environment play a critical role in promoting mental health.

The findings highlight the potential of sensory gardens as effective tools for reducing workplace stress and improving overall wellbeing without requiring facilitation or extensive resources. Unlike the urban plaza, which offered limited biodiversity and fixed seating arrangements, the sensory garden provided a rich natural environment with flexible seating options and diverse plant and animal species. This study emphasizes the importance of incorporating biodiverse green spaces into urban settings to support mental health and productivity for “apparently well” individuals in workplace environments.