How Biophilia Benefits Our Mental Health
By Beth Rush
Where is your favorite place to go when you’re feeling stressed out? Are you someone who likes to escape to the sounds of waves on the beach? Perhaps you prefer taking a leisurely stroll in your garden or going camping to take in the fresh air and sunshine.
Whether you’re an outdoorsy person or not, we all have our favorite things about nature.
Science has proved that nature has many positive effects on humans, such as altering our mood and reducing stress. Incorporating more nature in our routines with intentional design and exercise can help enhance our connection with ourselves and others.
What Does Biophilia Mean?
Biologist Edward O. Wilson proposed the idea of biophilia in 1984, which he describes as the natural affinity all humans have for connecting with nature and other forms of life. In other words, humans are born to love nature! Today, Wilson’s biophilia hypothesis is backed by plentiful research that a connection with nature is beneficial for the physiological and psychological well-being of all humans.
However, global urbanization has separated many humans from nature, causing them to feel disconnected from the natural world and decreasing interest in climate change and biodiversity loss. This is where the biophilia hypothesis transformed into biophilic design, a concept incorporating nature in architectural and interior design.
Biophilic design aims to increase the connection to nature for those in modern buildings and cities, which often lack natural landscape features.
Biophilic design is based on three principles:
a visual connection with nature
the imitation of natural processes
representations of colors, shapes, textures, and materials found in the natural world
For example, prioritizing natural sunlight and an organic floor plan in a new office building can positively impact the well-being of employees. Apartment building owners can tie the design back to the natural environment with intentional landscaping, rooftop gardens, water features and stone or shell accents.
How Biophilia Benefits Mental Health
Exposure to the natural environment has been proven to increase positive effects and decrease negative effects. Because biophilia is our emotional connection to nature, incorporating biophilic design practices in your life can offer many physical and mental health benefits:
Reduced stress
Lowered heart rate
Reduced chronic pain
Improved cognitive functioning
Increased positive emotions
Reduced aggression, fatigue and sadness
Improved recovery from physiological stress
Increased feelings of happiness and creativity
Enhanced focus and productivity
Heightened energy levels
Improved cognitive function
Improved vital signs, such as lower blood pressure
Aside from these positive outcomes, biophilic design has been shown to impact people in other ways. For example, exposure to nature is associated with pain reduction, faster recoveries, less mediation, and decreased all-cause mortality in patients. Biophilic design practices can also help reduce depression, fatigue, anxiety, and psychological distress in patients with chronic diseases.
While active nature exposure may provide the maximum feeling of connectedness, research also suggests that passive and quasi-passive nature exposure, such as viewing wildlife or smelling plants but not engaging in activities, can still offer health benefits.
For those whose daily routines in urban environments can often be overstimulating and monotonous, spending time in nature and green spaces can restore mental well-being, decrease rumination, and increase positive emotions.
How to Connect With Nature in Your Daily Life
Biophilic design can enhance your health and the quality of your environment. Take inspiration from these examples to connect with nature and improve your overall well-being.
1. Try a New Activity
If you’re not a huge fan of the outdoors — no worries! There are plenty of ways to get your dose of nature without engaging in rigorous activities like hiking a mountain or white water rafting. You can try a range of activities to suit your preferences and abilities, such as:
Forest bathing
Picnics
Rock climbing
Fishing
Birdwatching
Gardening
Photographing wildlife
Drawing flowers and plants
Canoeing
Kayaking
Swimming
Watching the sunrise
Stargazing
Simply being present outdoors and in natural places allows you to reap the benefits. Whether that’s reading a book on the beach or choosing to sit outside at a restaurant, you can gradually discover how you like to spend your time in nature best.
2. Exercise in Nature
It’s no secret that physical activity is critical for improving our physical health and reducing our risk of certain health conditions, but it can also enhance our mental health by improving depressive and anxiety symptoms. The benefits of exercise may be amplified when you combine it with the beauty of nature. Research indicates that being outdoors can help make exercise more enjoyable and boost working memory.
Fortunately, there are endless activities you can do in nature! For example, older adults can take a stroll around the neighborhood to promote healthy circulation and prevent conditions like varicose veins. Pet owners can bond with their anxious furry friends as they explore their local park or hike a woodland trail.
Children can improve their learning outcomes and curiosity with a backyard scavenger hunt. You can also challenge yourself to leave the headphones at home next time you’re out and listen to the sounds of nature instead! Or simply sit on a park bench and look at the movement of the clouds.
3. Bring Nature to You
Studies show that access to green spaces has a direct impact on stress reduction and well-being for individuals who live in urban cities. If you spend most of your week under fluorescent lighting in an office building or commuting on public transport, try adding your favorite flowers to your desk or playing nature sounds instead of music.
You can also spruce up your home by taking up indoor plant-keeping, which had a calming effect on many people who were isolated during the pandemic. Make the most of the balcony space you have in your apartment with a bird feeder, herb garden or flowerbed.
No matter your age or abilities, there is positive mental stimulation and a sense of calm to be found in nature for everyone.
About the author: Beth Rush is the green wellness editor at Body+Mind, where she covers topics like the power of climate consciousness at all stages of education. You can find Beth on Twitter @bodymindmag. Subscribe to Body+Mind for more posts by Beth!