Science have proven we have a close relationship with nature.

Integrating the outside world into our indoor space can dramatically increase your engagement with nature, and in turn, benefit your health and comfort. Though research, we all know spending time outdoors is healthy, but in our current times, we spend 80% of our days indoors. With spending so much time indoors, we need to take a close examination of our environment to our health.

Many of us have rooms in our home with views of the city or our neighbours across the street. Today’s urban landscape limits your exposure to see nature, and this can have many adverse psychological effects.

PLANTS WITH BENEFITS

Aside from having a window with views of outdoors, we can bring the element of the outdoors indoors, through house plants.

Many studies have been conducted on the impacts of nature that affect our physical and mental health. Aside from the plants’ photosynthesis, and essential functions of carbon and oxygen cycles, indoor plants have also been shown to have positive influences on task performance, health, and your levels of stress.

This is because we need to see nature. Humans require a connection to nature. Humans’ need to connect with nature, such as plants and animals, are innate.  This built-in need may be the outcome of spending the bulk of our evolutionary past (over 99%) connected to nature.

VISUAL CONNECTIONS

Nature’s patterns, such as leaves, trees, water patterns, and landscapes, have been ingrained into us from the start of time. We are naturally more relaxed outdoors with seeing nature’s biomorphic forms.  

Many of our homes are focused on minimalist designs with clean lines and right angles. Straight lines do not exist in nature; we can feel unease and not necessarily relaxed with too much of this.  Try incorporating more biomorphic forms and patterns into your home. These visual connections to nature are scientifically proven for stress reduction.  

LET THERE BE LIGHT

Lighting has always been a significant contributor to health. Different lighting conditions can elicit different psychological effects.

The impact of daylight on your health has been studied for many years. Research has proven that productivity is higher, stress is reduced, and the ability to heal a person physically and mentally has been validated through the use of proper lighting considerations

Have your home well-lit to simulate nature’s light fluctuations. Sunshine changes colour from yellow in the morning, to blueish at midday, and red tones in the evening. Our body responds to these fluctuations which connect to our mood, alertness and sleep qualities. 

Look around your space and assess your lighting. Look at the location of the windows; position your furniture to maximize how you see this light. For darker areas or night-time, check your lights, consider using full-spectrum bulbs (look for colour temperatures between 4000K to 6500K). Taking these simple steps will be a game-changer.

Three simple things you can do at home to reduce stress

1) Ensure your home has an excellent visual connection to nature. This can be as simple as improving views and bring more plants into your home. You can consider orienting tables and seating to maximize views of the outdoors.

2) Many homes’ aesthetics favour sharp, clean lines and angles; this is not always the best for your relaxation. Consider integrating images of nature patterns – biomorphic forms (inspired by nature). These can be art prints or decorations that mimic nature’s aesthetics.

3) Ensure your home has plenty of naturally occurring light (multi-directional). If this is difficult to achieve, proper simulated light should be considered, such as colour balanced and circadian referenced bulbs (more blue light during the day, less at night).

Having a stress-free home is a great way to promote everyday stress-free living.