Working Outdoors: The Benefits of Outdoor Workplaces and How Companies in Fryslân Are Leading the Way

Working outdoors is good. According to scientific research, it makes people more creative and productive. They have more energy when they work outside. Merk Fryslân, the organization for Fryslân promotion, wants Fryslân to be a frontrunner in working outdoors.

The employees of Merk Fryslân also work outside much more often. The inner garden has been turned into a real office garden, with lots of greenery and a number of workshops. Yvonne Hulleman notices that it does her good. “I have more energy and I’m really more creative when I work outside.”

More outdoor workplaces
She wants to ensure that there are more outdoor workplaces in Fryslân and that companies from both inside and outside Fryslân come here to do a team building or brainstorming session, for example.

Yvonne Hulleman © Omrop Fryslân, Geartsje de Vries

In fact, working outside is nothing more than involving that ‘outside’ in your working day. Outside can be an attractive place to make phone calls, for example. A big advantage is that you also move with it. That is good for your health. Going outside every day stimulates the brain, you can think better and more creatively and you become more productive.

Merk Fryslân has developed a ‘toolkit’ that encourages working outside. It includes a tripod on which a laptop can be placed. And sun visors that can be placed around the laptop, so that the screen is clearly legible.

Robert Hoekstra of Brandmerck
© Omrop Fryslân, Geartsje de Vries

Other ‘minded’
Online marketing company Brandmerck in Sneek has integrated working outdoors into the company association since the beginning of this year. According to director Robert Hoekstra, this requires a different ‘mindset’ from his people.
“We started it in February. In the winter it is not very logical for most people to go outside. But we do want to continue with it, because it certainly has advantages for people with a creative profession.”
He hopes that working outside will be fully accepted in a year or two and that his company will also have good facilities to do so.

Andele Zijlstra, member of the board of Nieuw Allardsoog
© Omrop Fryslân, Geartsje de Vries

Conference center Nieuw Allardsoog near Bakkeveen profiles itself as an outdoor work location. There are seats in nature and in bad weather you can opt for a covered terrace with a fire pit.
Andele Zijlstra, one of the board members of Nieuw Allardsoog, would like to facilitate working outdoors. She notices that there is more demand for it after the corona period.
“We are located in a beautiful, natural environment where you can walk, hear the birds and where sheep and ponies roam. We like to share that. A company can of course take a seat in a conference room for a meeting, but we can also provide them with a seat. between the trees.”

Bernard Maarsingh © own photo

Psychologist Bernard Maarsingh is a strong supporter of working outside. According to him, there are several scientific studies that show that this has positive effects.
“The temperature difference plays a role, because more heat and more cold leads to epigenetic changes. Simply put: the cells start working differently and that makes you healthier and fitter in the long run. Moreover, research shows that people who work outdoors also move more and that ensures that your brain works better.”

Gardening helps with depression as well as antidepressants
According to the psychologist, working outside has many fundamental physiological effects. “Gardening helps with depression just as well as antidepressants. Being outside, working outside, is something very basic for humans. And there are reasons from all sides to think that it is wise to do.”
Maarsingh himself sometimes goes outside to work. Still, it doesn’t really feel like work: “If I go outside with a patient and do a consultation while walking, it’s good for the patient and also for me as a therapist. Actually, I think it’s much too good to be treated as a be regarded as ‘works’.

The laptop on the tree and working outside © Omrop Fryslân, Geartsje de Vries
Maarsingh concludes his plea for working outside with: “In the long run it is cheaper for the employer. Because your employee is fitter, healthier and more productive”.