Ever heard of biophilia? Probably not, right? Biophilia is simply “the love of life”, and extensive research has gone into investigating how humans function better when they’re surrounded by other life, whether that’s other humans, or animals or plants. A German psychologist by the name of Erich Fromm described biophilia as the innate and intrinsic attraction of humans to things that are alive. Essentially what he is saying is that as humans, we are preprogrammed to gravitate towards nature. Indeed, research has shown that when we limit our exposure to nature, our quality of life decreases. This is why healthcare staff include plants or fish tanks in hospitals, care facilities, and other healthcare facilities; medical staff recognize the importance and the power of nature, and make an effort to include it in their spaces to improve quality of care for patients.
So how can you increase your exposure to nature and promote your innate biophilia?
1. Get outside! Of course this is the obvious answer, but it’s really that simple! A short walk through an area abundant in trees, grass, flowers, or other greenery exposes us to nature, promoting biophilia. Studies have been done that actually show quality of life is better for those individuals that regularly walk through pathways that are surrounded by nature.
2. Houseplants! It’s not always easy to get outside and spare time to walk through the mountains or forest. So alternatively, you can bring the forest to you! Not only do houseplants increase our exposure to nature, many varieties also filter the air, improving air quality in our homes.
3. Fish tanks! As mentioned, hospitals often will include fish tanks in their facilities for the very reason we are discussing: biophilia.
4. Windows! This is a simple option, but an easy one. If possible, working beside a window with a view of nature is thought to improve mental health and reduce loneliness. Having a view of nature through a window was even found to improve physical health of patients in a rehabilitation program! Windows also provide natural light, which leads me to my next point.
5. Natural light! Again, if possible, working in an environment with natural light instead of artificial light can improve moods and work satisfaction. Vitamin D is also a vitamin we obtain from sunlight, and natural light is essential in this process.
All in all, we as humans are predetermined to have an affinity for nature. Over the last few hundred years we are less and less outdoors than ever before, which can have negative impacts on our mental health. By finding time to get outside and be in nature we can take steps to improving our mental and physical health. While it’s not always possible to be outside, we can take other actions by introducing houseplants or fish to our homes, or even making an effort to work by a window with a view of nature, or work in natural sunlight. By implementing these strategies, we can realign with our innate biophilia and improve our quality of life.
