The Healing Power of Nature

Many people love spending time outdoors enjoying the therapeutic benefits of gardening or walking in nature. We fill our homes plants, they bring a sense of joy and tranquility to our surroundings. There’s actually a science behind this innate desire we have to connect with nature and why we love gardening, being in nature or surrounding ourselves with greenery.

A 2014 study found that ‘green’ rather than lean offices made people happier. Researchers discovered hat simply enriching an office with plants increased productivity by 15%

Previously there had been a trend for offices to be quite stark and minimal. This study was the first of its kind that actually examined the impact of ‘lean’ and ‘green offices on staff’s workplace satisfaction, monitoring productivity levels in two large commercial offices over a period of months

Lead researcher Marlon Nieuwenhuis, from Cardiff University’s School of Psychology, said: “Our research suggests that investing in landscaping the office with plants will pay off through an increase in office workers’ quality of life and productivity”

The architectural design practice of incorporating nature into built environments is called biophilic design and companies are increasingly embracing biophilic design principles in the workplace. With over half of the world's population residing in urban areas, biophilic design rekindles our connection with nature. The principles can be applied to both work and home environments.

What is biophilia and biophilic Design?

Biophilia is the human inclination to seek a connection with nature. Biophilia means “love of natural life” a concept first introduced by social psychologist Erich Fromm in his book The Anatomy of Human Destructiveness. He suggested humans possess an inherent affinity for life and living systems, which he termed biophilia.

Fromm believed that this biophilic tendency is essential for fostering a sense of connection to nature and maintaining psychological well-being, His ideas laid the groundwork for further exploration of the relationship between humans and the natural world, leading to the development of the concept of biophilic design. This approach incorporates natural elements into man-made or built-up environments to enhance people's health and well-being, and evoke feelings of being connected to nature.

Biophilic design was further explored in a paper by Stephen R. Kellert and Elizabeth F. Calabrese called  “The Practice of Biophilic Design” (2015). They looked at the psychological and physiological benefits of incorporating natural elements into built-up environments. They identified several key elements of biophilic design including natural light, views of nature, presence of water, use of natural materials and incorporation of living plants. The study found that environments designed with these elements led to reduced stress, improved cognitive function and generally elevated feelings of well being.

Shinrin-Yoku (Forest Bathing)

In Japan, there is a practice called Shinrin-Yoku which translates as forest bathing or taking in the forest atmosphere - it involves immersing oneself in the forest environment to promote health and well-being. The practice began in the 1980s and coincided with the tech boom. Although it originated in Japan, the concept of connecting with nature for the benefit of our well-being and health is not a new one. Ongoing research has further developed our understanding of this approach, with its positive benefits leading to its increasing recognition as a wellness practice around the world.