Nature: a new paradigm for well-being and ergonomics

Richardson, Miles; Maspero, Marta; Golightly, David; Sheffield, David; Staples, Vicki; Lumber, Ryan

Abstract

Nature is presented as a new paradigm for ergonomics. As a discipline concerned with well-being, the importance of natural environments for wellness should be part of ergonomics knowledge and practice. This position is supported by providing a concise summary of the evidence of the value of the natural environment to well-being. Further, an emerging body of research has found relationships between well-being and a connection to nature, a concept that reveals the integrative character of human experience which can inform wider practice and epistemology in ergonomics. Practitioners are encouraged to bring nature into the workplace, so that ergonomics keeps pace with the move to nature-based solutions, but also as a necessity in the current ecological and social context. Practitioner Summary: Nature-based solutions are coming to the fore to address societal challenges such as well-being. As ergonomics is concerned with well-being, there is a need for a paradigm shift in the discipline. This position is supported by providing a concise summary of the evidence of the value of the natural environment to well-being.

Citation

Richardson, M., Maspero, M., Golightly, D., Sheffield, D., Staples, V., & Lumber, R. (2016). Nature: a new paradigm for well-being and ergonomics. Ergonomics, 60(2), 292-305. https://doi.org/10.1080/00140139.2016.1157213

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 15, 2016
• Online Publication Date: Mar 22, 2016
• Publication Date: Mar 22, 2016
• Deposit Date: May 27, 2016
• Publicly Available Date: May 27, 2016
• Journal: Ergonomics
• Print ISSN: 0014-0139
• Electronic ISSN: 1366-5847
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 60
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 292-305
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00140139.2016.1157213
• Keywords: nature, health, well-being, ergonomics
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/779701
• Publisher URL: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00140139.2016.1157213
• Additional Information: This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis Group in Ergonomics on 22/03/2016, available online:http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00140139.2016.1157213 (http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/00140139.2016.1157213).