Synergies between recovery from work and restorative environments for sustainable development: an integrative theoretical perspective

Abstract

In this theoretical article for Gruppe. Interaktion. Organisation. (GIO), we elaborate on the contribution of recovery from work research to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). For this, we first briefly review theoretical and empirical knowledge on both recovery from work and restorative environments, and afterward we extend the existing framework on recovery from work by integrating physical environments. Second, we derive practical implications for organizations and policymakers and summarize the synergies of this theoretical integration for achieving the SDGs. In particular, we elaborate on reducing environmental demands and enhancing environmental resources, for example via biophilic design, as promising strategy for achieving the SDGs. We conclude with recommendations for future research on recovery from work and SDGs.