Introducing outdoor office work to reduce stress among office workers in Sweden

BACKGROUND: Office workplace stress is concerning as it leads to adverse and chronic health outcomes. Outdoor office work (OOW), an innovative practice may address these challenges as being outdoors has potential benefits. This study aims to assess stress among office workers that are working in their normal indoor office compared to practicing OOW and identifying facilitators and barriers for doing OOW. METHODS: In a feasibility study, 9 office workers were asked to work indoors the 1st week and OOW for at least 30 minutes per day during the 2nd week. They wore a heart rate variability (HRV) monitor (FirstBeat BG3) for 2 weeks while at work to assess objective stress. Subjective stress was assessed via daily surveys using a scale of 1 to 10 from “not stressed at all” to “very stressed”. They were instructed to use the app “Our Voice Discovery Tool” to take photos of facilitators or barriers to practicing OOW. Subjective stress data was analysed using paired sample t-test in SPSS 28. Photos were categorised into themes. Analysis of HRV time and frequency parameters is underway. RESULTS: Preliminary findings show statistically significant decrease in stress scores between week 1 (M = 4.42, SD = 1.43) and week 2 (M = 3.74, SD = 1.31) t(7)=1.91, p=.049 (one-tailed), mean decrease in self-rated stress was .68 with a 95% confidence interval ranging from -.12 to 1.43. The Cohen's d (.67) indicated a medium effect size. Picture analysis revealed themes related to “convenience/comfort”, equipment/facilities”, and “weather” as barriers. Out of 76 pictures, most themed “nature”, both indoor and outdoor, were marked as positive experiences. CONCLUSIONS: Reduction in subjective stress from week 1 to week 2 suggests OOW's potential as useful method to reduce work-related stress. Picture analysis suggests, to ensure a healthier milieu for office workers, conditions conducive to OOW such as outdoor work facilities and green spaces in offices’ vicinity may need to be facilitated by employers. KEY MESSAGES: • Outdoor office work (OOW) may reduce workplace stress, potentially improving employee health, well-being, and productivity. • Employers should facilitate outdoor workspaces and green areas to promote healthier office environments.