It’s widely known that being around nature makes us feel good. Whether you love spending time in your local park, forest, or other green space – there’s no doubt that nature has its benefits on our health both long and short term.
But exactly why does being around plants and nature make us feel good? We’ll dive into the concept of biophilia, including what it is and why it’s so important. We’ll also outline how to bring nature inside, including flower deliveries and living walls!
What Is Biophilia And Why Is It Important?
Put simply, biophilia means ‘love of life’. It is the ‘innate human instinct to connect with nature and other living beings’ [NRDC]. This essentially means that humans are wired so that our brains respond positively when around nature and other living things.
Incorporating biophilic design into both indoor and outdoor spaces can significantly benefit our mental and physical health. Many argue that it is essential for the well-being of office workers and others who spend the majority of their time inside.
Some benefits of biophilic design in offices include:
- Mood-boosting properties: biophilic design in an office environment can vastly boost employee mood throughout your teams. As discussed previously, plants and other natural elements can make us feel connected to nature and, as a result, help improve mental health company-wide.
- Increased productivity: according to biofilico, biophilic design boosts melatonin which can help regulate the sleep-wake cycle. This, therefore, can help increase productivity due to elevated energy levels throughout the day.
- Improved air quality: one of the more widely known benefits of biophilic design is improved air quality. Not only do they produce oxygen by using CO2, but they also improve the humidity of the air (ideal for air-conditioned offices)!
- Retain (and gain new) clients: if you have clients regularly visiting your office, impressions (both first and otherwise!) matter. Biophilic design is undoubtedly aesthetically pleasing. When combined with its mood-boosting benefits, you’re sure to impress both new and current clients!
Biophilic Design: Bringing Nature Inside
When most people think of nature, they think of spending time outdoors in green spaces. While this is a great way to enjoy the benefits, biophilic design can bring nature inside for everyone to experience the benefits.
Living Walls
Also known as green walls interiors, living walls can be designed with self-watering systems. This ensures each plant gets the right amount of water it needs to thrive.
Living walls are a great way to make a statement in your office, transforming a plain space into something that will impress both employees and clients alike.
Flower Delivery
Let’s be honest: who doesn’t love the smell of fresh flowers? Having them regularly delivered to your workspace can vastly improve employee well-being.
Not only are office flowers lovely to look at, but their smell alone will bring a fresh, clean feel to your work environment!
Indoor Office Plants
Office plants don’t have to live up to their stereotype of being dull and lifeless! When done well with high-quality plants, they can massively upgrade your workspace!
If you’re put off having office plants because you’re worried about maintenance, why not opt for an office plant hire service? This, combined with ongoing maintenance, can be a better option for busy business owners.
The Conclusion On Biophilia
The benefits of being in nature are felt immediately. Whether in somewhere with lots of greenery like a forest or somewhere you walk daily such as a leafy street.
Biophilia has been a concept for many years. It is likely to continue influencing indoor design for many more to come, allowing people to experience the positive effects of a natural environment wherever they are! If you’d like to learn more about how biophilic design can improve your business, contact us today to find out how we can help.