The Essential Connection: Why Your Brain Needs Nature in Interior Environments

The disconnection from nature has profound implications on our mental and emotional well-being. Integrating natural elements into interior environments is not a design trend but a tested and proven method for maintaining and enhancing brain health and overall well-being.

Here’s why your brain needs nature indoors and how biophilic design (nature inside) can make a difference.

The Psychological Benefits of Nature

Research has consistently shown that exposure to nature has numerous psychological benefits. Studies have demonstrated that nature can reduce stress, improve mood, and increase overall happiness. Natural environments can restore mental energy, often referred to as “attention restoration theory.” This theory suggests that nature provides a respite from the constant demands on our directed attention, allowing our brains to recover and rejuvenate.

• Improved cognitive performance

  Biophilic environments can improve short-term memory by up to 14%. They can also help increase focus and concentration, and reduce cognitive fatigue, stress, and ADHD.
• Reduced stress

  Biophilic design can create a sense of security and address our needs for protection and cognitive safety (put simply, nature in view reduces fear).  It can also lower defense mechanisms and calm the nervous system, which can promote comfort and safety and make it easier to collaborate with others.
• Enhanced creativity

  Biophilic design can mimic the experience of being outdoors in natural environments, which can shift the mind into a place of wonder and creativity. “

The Role of Biophilic Design

Biophilic design, which incorporates nature and natural elements into built environments, is gaining traction as an effective way to bridge the gap between urban living and nature. This design approach can include anything from incorporating natural light and ventilation to using natural materials like wood and stone or integrating plant life, such as moss walls and indoor gardens.

Michael Berens, writing for Multibrief, provides us with an example of how biophilic design that includes real nature, in view, impacts building occupants.  “One office design, referred to as “indoor green,” had no windows but had elements, such as plants, living walls, a water feature, natural materials, and biomorphic shapes. The second, referred to as the “outdoor view,” had daylighting and windows looking onto a natural setting with trees, grass and water, but no other biophilic design elements. A third room was designed with a combination of both interior and exterior biophilic features; the fourth office, as a control, had none.

The subjects were given cognitive tasks to perform while exposed to various environmental distractions and noises. Sensors and other equipment were used to monitor and record certain physiological responses.

The results showed subjects viewing the biophilic designed environments had consistently better recovery from stress and anxiety than did the control group. Interestingly, the indoor green visualization facilitated more physiological stress recovery, while the outdoor view visualization affected more anxiety reduction. The combined visualization had a moderate effect of improving both.

Michael J. Berens | February 18, 2020

Cognitive Benefits

Nature in interior environments has also been linked to cognitive benefits. For instance, studies have found that individuals working in environments with natural elements report higher levels of creativity and productivity. This is attributed to the calming effect of nature, which allows the brain to function more efficiently. Natural elements provide attention restoration and can also improve concentration and memory, making them essential for learning environments such as schools and offices.

Physical Benefits 

Beyond its impact on mental well-being, biophilic design has real bearing on physical health. Building occupants with access to natural light and outdoor views report improved sleep patterns, reduced symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), and faster recovery times for patients in healthcare settings.  And given there are 15-20% of the world’s population exhibit some kind of neurodivergence and attenuation to their needs and offering consideration for sensory overload is an ever-increasing consideration for architects and designers.  When that sensory overload takes place, being able to look up and beyond the computer screen at a lush green wall can help restore focus and calm much more expediently than standard building materials and finishes.

Natural patterns can minimize visual discomfort for people who are hypersensitive.

In contrast, the tessellated forms, bars, stripes and perforated materials usually found in the modern artificial world can cause visual stress to people with autism. These repetitive patterns can appear to move or shimmer when viewed.

-The Conversation: What is biophilic design? 3 ways ‘green’ buildings work better for neurodivergent people

The connection between the brain and nature is supported by a growing body of scientific evidence.

For instance, exposure to natural environments is associated with reduced levels of cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone.

Additionally, the visual complexity and variety inherent in natural scenes can stimulate the brain and promote neural connectivity, which is crucial for cognitive flexibility and problem-solving.

Implementing Nature in Your Space

Integrating nature into interior environments can be achieved in various ways. Here are some practical suggestions:

1. Incorporate Greenery: Use real plants and moss designs to bring nature indoors. Not only do they add aesthetic value, but they also improve air quality and create a calming atmosphere.  A green wall or moss design with your company logo can also tout the green ethos of your organization.
2. Maximize Natural Light: Ensure that spaces are well-lit with natural light to enhance mood and energy levels.
3. Use Natural Materials: Incorporate materials like wood, stone, and bamboo to create a warm, inviting environment.
4. Design for Views: If possible, design spaces to include views of nature. Even a small garden or a tree outside a window can have a significant impact.

We feel strongly that Mother Nature got it right.  That’s why we keep our designs as closely aligned with nature as possible.  Our goal is to create timeless designs utilizing nature that mimic and reflect the experience of the forest.  We shy away from complex patterns (so as to ensure the design will not look dated) and differing shades of green as Mother Nature was very careful with her color palette–ensuring the hues of green are not in sharp contrast with one another.

The most impactful designs take cues directly from the natural world—like the lush moss blanketing the tree in the forest and its indoor counterpart.

We carefully brush each moss pillow and lay out each design to ensure cohesion and flow—the rich texture and deep greens of pillow moss are as wonderful to the touch as they are to the eyes.

See the highlights on the left side of the pillow moss design below?
We naturally ‘read’ art and biophilic design from left to right, allowing our eyes to flow through the composition much like a narrative, evoking harmony and balance.

By bringing nature’s textures and forms indoors, we create spaces that soothe, inspire and truly connect us to the outdoors.

Conclusion

The integration of nature into interior environments is more than just a design choice; it’s a necessary step for promoting mental and cognitive well-being.

By understanding and applying the principles of biophilic design, we can create spaces that not only look beautiful but also support the health and happiness of those who inhabit them.

Embracing this approach is a critical aspect of environmental stewardship and sustainable living, aligning with the broader goals of fostering a healthier, more connected relationship between humans and the natural world.