When we spend too much time indoors, we lose our connection with nature outside. We forget about wind, cold, and humidity, all of which are important for everyday living as well as exercise and wellness. While these sheltered environments make our life much easier, they can also make it more boring and impersonal. Without weather fluctuations, our life can be monotone, our exercise pace remains constant, and our workout routine can become stagnant. Furthermore, relaxing and getting pampered without natural views, colors, and materials simply doesn’t provide the same level of satisfaction. So, should we merge indoor and outdoor spaces in order to create perfect residential and commercial spaces for people to thrive in? Here are some of the many benefits of biophilic design.
- Cleaner Environment
- More Vitamin D
- Enhanced Productivity and Performance
- Better Mood
- Soothing Emotions
- Better Connection With Nature
Cleaner Environment
Biophilic spaces are usually filled with greenery. This design addition makes the space more attractive, but it can also improve the health benefits of the environment. Plants can have air purification properties that are especially useful in homes, gyms, and wellness spaces. As a rule, experts recommend combining six to eight plants per 25 square meters (270 square feet). If you don’t have that much space, consider combining greenery with HEPA air purifiers.
More Vitamin D
Since biophilic spaces employ more natural light, they provide people with boosted vitamin D production which can have several health benefits. Vitamin D helps promotes strong bones and teeth, supports the immune system, regulates diabetes, supports lung function, and supports the healthy nervous system. So, spending time in places showered in natural light is the key to good health.
Enhanced Productivity and Performance
Biophilic homes, exercise spaces, and wellness institutions take inspiration from the natural world which can affect humans in many positive ways, the most notable one being productivity. Thanks to plenty of fresh air, greenery, natural materials, and natural light, people can enjoy a more natural way of living which can contribute to efficiency. For instance, if you take a unique approach to gym interior design and include plenty of biophilic elements into your space, expect to have an airy, bright, and pleasant exercise space. Being active in such an environment will improve users’ alertness, productivity, and energy levels which can result in better performance.
Better Mood
Peace, quiet, and relaxation are some of today’s most sought-after commodities, especially for city dwellers. Luckily, homes, gyms, and wellness spaces that include natural elements into their design can do wonders for people’s mood and emotions. Natural lighting, good air quality, and presence of greenery can relieve stress, boost cognitive abilities, and improve mood.
While no environment today is entirely free of pollution (especially indoor space), thanks to plants, ventilation, and natural materials, biophilic spaces provide users with access to cleaner air. And when you can breathe more easily, it can be an instant mood booster. Additionally, biophilic gyms can be outfitted with natural and unique equipment that encourages creativity and movement which can give people a better sense of accomplishment.
Soothing Emotions
Nature-inspired environments always encourage relaxation and soothing emotions. Since they usually choose to imitate nature with neutrals (plenty of greens, browns, beiges, and whites) and don’t employ bold colors, soothing emotions have a chance to reach the surface. These natural colors evoke positive emotions which can allow you to relieve stress and manage your mood. Potted plants, wallpapers with natural motifs, and plenty of natural materials additionally improve the vibe of spaces and boost relaxation and satisfaction. These sorts of environments are perfect for a massage, meditation session, or a full-body yoga workout.
Better Connection With Nature
When spending time in nature or surrounded by natural elements, we find it easier to be motivated, to grow, be productive, and take better care of our mental and physical health. Most traditional homes and workout spaces usually use synthetic materials, but biophilic spaces mostly emphasize wood, cork, bamboo, leather, and organic linen.
These eco-friendly materials are not only more aesthetically pleasing to the human eye, but also encourage better tactile experiences. Handling and touch of natural materials bring people closer to nature. Their textures and smells can revitalize the mind and fill the body with energy. Additionally, the symbiotic relationship between people and nature sparks eco-consciousness and encourages people to consider conservation and the environment in a broader context.
Mixing the natural and indoor worlds into one can benefit everyone, ranging from those more athletically inclined to those in search of relaxation. Biophilic spaces provide people with healthy, pleasant, and effective space for living, working out, and enjoying pampering, but it also boosts focus, mood and motivation. Thanks to these positive effects, we can expect to see more and more environments adopting biophilic design in the interest of creating safe, healthy, and stress-free spaces.
