It’s been a strange 18 months for teams transitioning back and forth between remote work and being in the office. As a result, burnout is on the rise. In fact, 52% of workers expressed fatigue and stress from overworking and burnout in an Indeed survey from 2020, which is a 9% increase from a survey before COVID.
Burnout isn’t just about dampening team morale; studies show burnout can result in a drop-off in productivity for individual workers, as well. Moreover, each year, U.S. workers lose 550 million workdays because of workplace stress, resulting in losses of more than $500 billion. Employers and team leaders need to think of ways to reduce employee burnout and ease them back into the workplace. So, the question is how exactly to successfully achieve this balance. One route I have seen success with is hosting an outdoor event, one at which your team can come together in nature for a memorable dining and bonding experience.
Recently, I attended an enriching outdoor dining experience led by Mona Johnson and Jaret Foster, the founders and chefs of Tournant, a company that creates immersive dining experiences. The group event was held in the evening on a hillside looking out over the Star Mooring Farm south of Portland, Oregon. Not only was it a unique event, but the community, conversation, and mental reset it sparked in me made it the perfect low-stakes, low-stress environment for team-building and boosting morale.
“By the time they come to the table,” Mona says, “they already feel invested in the meal and a part of the experience.”
The benefits of eating outdoors as a team
How can something so simple as an outdoor meal together improve team performance? Chalk it up to one of these main benefits.
- It binds the team together. Most office interactions often involve talking about work. However, getting to know the people you spend hours with each week helps establish deeper social relationships with coworkers. A study conducted by Olivet Nazarene University in Illinois found that nearly two-thirds of employees perceive each other as strictly coworkers or even strangers in the workplace. A high-pressure working environment can make it hard for your staff members to bond with each other. But in the middle of a casual activity, such as eating outdoors together, that tension fades.
- It improves mental and physical health. Studies show muscle tension, blood pressure, and brain activity drop within minutes of exposure to nature, thanks to the decrease in cortisol. And a 2015 Stanford study echoed this, reporting notable benefits from time spent outdoors.
“When we’re cooking together out in the wild, there’s a certain alchemy that occurs that guests can sense,” Foster says when asked why Tournant prefers to cook outside for their clients. - It improves concentration. Whether it’s a midday break or a post-work wind down, studies show a connection between spending time outside can ease brain fatigue and improve attention and concentration. So, by spending more time outdoors, teams are more focused; and more-focused teammates get more done.
Why being outdoors helps us reset
A 2015 study from Cornell University discovered when employees eat together, they do their jobs better than those who don’t. Organizing a team meal outdoors takes this impact to a whole different level.
“Time and time again, we’ve witnessed people go through the process of disconnecting from work, worry, cell phones, and the stressors of everyday existence,” says Mona. “[Then,] they reconnect with the moment, the people around them, their beautiful surroundings, and the joy of good food shared in good company.”
She goes on to share that she believes people reach a realization that the meal they’re enjoying will never again be enjoyed by the same people in the same place. This thought process creates a sense of intimacy and connection over a shared experience. As a work team, the time spent sharing a common experience—like an outdoor meal—with your colleagues can strengthen those bonds.
My outdoor-dining experience served as an exceptional mental reset, as well as a memorable experience I found extremely special. You and your team can do the same with an outdoor-dining experience that fosters connection-building—not just with your team, but also with culinary experts and the benefits of nature. Next time you’re looking for a simple team-building event, look no further than hosting an outdoor-meal experience. It may be the literal and figurative breath of fresh air you and your group need.
Kaleigh Moore is a writer and consultant for companies in the SaaS industry.
