It’s hard to sometimes keep up without fast-paced, technology-driven world and stress seems to have become an all-too-familiar companion. Whether it’s the pressure of deadlines, constant notifications or just the struggles of daily life, stress affects our wellbeing in many ways.
Stress has been studied for many decades now. The term comes from the 1930s experiments by Hans Seleye, a medical professional who observed a common set of symptoms among his medical patients suffering chronic illnesses. He attributed these to what we now call stress. The study of stress goes hand in hand with how to combat its effects on people. Our discussion today relates to combatting that overwhelming feeling with biophilic design in the workplace.
In a nutshell, biophilic design is an innovative approach that brings nature into built spaces because we know that it can be a game-changer for stress reduction.
What is Biophilic Design?
The term “biophilia” comes from the Greek words bio (life) and philia (love or affection), referring to the innate human connection to nature. This design philosophy integrates natural materials, lighting, plants and even the sounds of nature into indoor spaces to create an environment that promotes physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.
The perfect example of a successful biophilic design is Montefiore Hospital, a private hospital in Hove, Sussex. The architects combined natural materials and sound, produced and curated by Brian Eno, whose work to create stress-free spaces spans over several decades. Healthcare settings with biophilic design show patients recovering faster with 30% lower levels of anxiety compared to those in sterile, non-nature-inspired environments (Essex University, 2017).
The core idea is that human beings have a deep-rooted need for connection with nature. By recreating natural elements within offices and public buildings, we can tap into this connection to positively impact on reducing stress and improve general health.
How Does Biophilic Design Reduce Stress?
From our own work, we know that biophilic design reduces stress and fosters calming places for deeper focus, creativity, connection with others and many more benefits. There are also several studies that show the profound effects of biophilia on reducing stress. In fact, nature has long been associated with therapeutic benefits such as lowering heart rates, reducing anxiety and promoting a sense of calm:
- Improved air quality: Introducing plants makes the air easier to breathe but also contributes to better cognitive function and mood stability.
- Natural light: Biophilic spaces often prioritise natural light, which has been shown to boost mood, regulate sleep patterns and enhance productivity. Sunlight triggers the release of serotonin in the brain, which helps lower stress levels and promotes happiness.
- Connection to nature: Visual elements such as indoor plants, water features or images of nature help reduce stress and lower cortisol level by evoking a feeling of peace and tranquillity.
- Natural materials: The use of wood, stone and bamboo creates an organic, grounding atmosphere proven to have a calming effect, unlike synthetic materials that can feel cold and uninviting.
How to incorporate biophilic design into your space
Although it may sound grand to begin with, biophilic design doesn’t have to be expensive or complex. Here are some simple ways to begin:
Bring in plants
Add indoor plants like ferns, succulents or flowering plants to improve the aesthetics and atmosphere of your workplace.
Maximize natural light
Open the curtains or blinds to let natural light flood the room and position your furniture near windows to make the most of natural daylight.
Use natural materials
Choose wooden furniture and blinds, stone decorations or natural fabrics like cotton or linen to soften the space and create a warm, inviting environment.
Use nature-inspired colours
Shades of green, blue and earthy tones can mimic the outdoors and create a peaceful atmosphere.
Create views of nature
Position your desk or seating area to face the outdoors and consider bringing nature inside through artwork depicting greenery.
Incorporate water features
If it’s an option, add a small indoor fountain or water feature to provide soothing sounds and improve the ambiance of the room, further reducing stress. Many companies incorporate this in their reception areas to create a welcoming atmosphere.
At Sussex Facilities Management, we love biophilic design and incorporate it into our own office design as well as those of our clients – check out our Avalara case study here. If you wish to discuss how we can help bring a little bit of nature into your workplace, please call or email our friendly team: 01444 812 171 / office@sussexfacilities.co.uk