What's in your environment? Is there something that inspires you, motivates you, or draws you closer or further away from what you want to create? That's the role of aesthetics, design, physical space, and how we perceive it all. In this episode, we continue our look at the 10 factors for change by looking at the role the environment plays in shaping change. We'll look at the role of design, beauty and why you might want to spend more time investing in creating a space you like and work you love than you realized. 

Notes: 

Steven de Groot has been at the forefront of work linking aesthetics to all kinds of positive things in the workplace and to work itself. His book is exceptional and I was asked to do a review of it (which you can read here). It's available through most major booksellers. 

The journal Organisational Aesthetics is filled with research that connects beauty and aesthetics to performance, work satisfaction, and wellbeing. 

The effect on light and mood has been well-studied, including this meta-analysis of many different trials. 

A 2019 study in the journal Nature looked found that 120 minutes a week spent in nature can yield significant positive health and mental health benefits. 

Ecopsychology is the emerging field that connects mental wellbeing to environments and this article provides a good introduction to what it is and what we know about it.