What is biophilia…and is it catching?
In 1984 the great biologist E. O. Wilson published the book Biophilia in which he argued humans, having evolved in the natural world, have an innate tendency to seek both physical and emotional connections to nature.
Around the same time, as a way of mitigating the negative effects of technology-driven, “always-on” culture, the practice of “shinrin-yoku” which literally translated means “forest bathing” or “taking in the forest atmosphere” emerged in Japan. The practice caught on globally and now one can enjoy forest or nature bathing classes and retreats in many countries. With techno-stress induced emotional exhaustion now being a well recognized and escalating threat to our mental health, finding ways to combat it are especially relevant today.
Biophilic Design
Biophilic design – bringing nature inside buildings – is now a well recognized architectural trend worldwide with designs ranging from the simple (think your house plants) to the very complex.
But I Can’t Even Keep Houseplants Alive!
Not all of us are so fortunate as to have a biophilic architect designing our living/work spaces or the luxury of close proximity to nature and the time to bathe in it. Fortunately, research has shown that even looking at pictures of nature can induce some of the same stress dissipating physiological and emotional responses as actually being there.
Yes, adorning your walls with nature themed imagery is actually good for you! In fact, in my totally unbiased opinion, hanging fine art photographic prints depicting nature in all its glory in one’s home or workspace is critical to maintaining one’s mental health and happiness. No watering required.
What? Don’t have any pictures of nature on your walls? Luckily, there are still many nature photographers (myself included) who highly value and continue the practice of turning digital captures into physical art works by optimizing and printing them onto various media.
Biophilic Decor
Before charging off to purchase nature themed art for your walls though, it’s probably worth taking a moment to reflect on how best to incorporate nature photography into your home or business decor.
The goal of purposeful biophilic decor is the intertwining of nature and your indoor environment throughout your home or office to create an interesting, relaxing space for you, your family, guests or clients. Take a tour of your space and plan how colour or subject themes might carry you on a soothing journey with breathtaking landscapes or captivating wildlife shots serving as key focal points. The blues and greens of coastal ecosystems pair beautifully with the soft, warm neutrals commonly used as wall colours for example.
Perhaps you do a lot of entertaining and need a conversation starter – a large piece commanding attention would do the trick. Closeup shots of large predators looking at the camera or breathtaking vistas are good choices for this.
Another approach might be to hang a number of pieces that reflect your personal style or enhance a mood you’d like to create in a certain space.
Do you have an area in your business where clients wait? A few well chosen pieces can communicate your values, make your clients feel more relaxed and foster engaging social interaction around travel, conservation, and their own personal experiences.
Perhaps you’d like to reinvigorate your team with a refresh of their workspace, maybe going for something with some bold energy instead.
You may not live next to nature but you can reserve a space in your home for some quiet meditation and personal reflection (bathroom jokes aside). Choosing shots that evoke a sense of tranquility, serenity or even awe generate a soothing ambience which facilitates mindfulness and a sense of real connectedness; a visual retreat that serves as an escape from the daily grind that can leaving us feeling refreshed and relaxed.
Pictures can be aspirational too. Hanging imagery of landscapes and wildlife from places we’d like to visit or return to can promote an optimistic ethic that may also inspire our own creative pursuits. Triggering positive memories of prior experiences in nature allows us to re-experience the joy and sense of well being we felt at the time.
Finally, the more people are reminded of and maintain their connection to nature, the more likely they are to want to protect and conserve it – something that the whole planet can benefit from. So go ahead, hang some inspiring nature imagery in your indoor spaces and bathe in all the benefits it has to offer.
If you like, stop by my print store and find your own perfect slice of nature to bring inside.
Happy decorating!
