Biophilia effect Archives - Feng Shui London UK • The Capital Feng Shui Consultant https://www.fengshuilondon.net/category/biophilia-effect/ The Capital Feng Shui Expert Tue, 07 Jan 2025 22:22:42 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 Biophilia Effect https://www.fengshuilondon.net/biophilia-effect/ Fri, 08 Jul 2011 21:20:09 +0000 http://www.fengshuilondon.net/?p=3507 The biophilia hypothesis suggests that there is an instinctive bond between human beings and other living systems, and the importance of nature on our wellness (physical, emotional, mental and spiritual) which is rooted in peer-reviewed science. Edward O. Wilson introduced and popularized the hypothesis in his book, Biophilia (1984). He defines biophilia as “the urge to affiliate […]

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]]> Biophilia by Edward O. WILSON

Biophilia by Edward O. WILSON

The biophilia hypothesis suggests that there is an instinctive bond between human beings and other living systems, and the importance of nature on our wellness (physical, emotional, mental and spiritual) which is rooted in peer-reviewed science. Edward O. Wilson introduced and popularized the hypothesis in his book, Biophilia (1984). He defines biophilia as “the urge to affiliate with other forms of life.”

The benefits of biophilia

• trigger endorphin effect
• lower blood pressure
• boost the brain’s attention
• accelerate patients’ recovery at home and hospitals
• reconnect with nature
• plants
• protect the environment and tackle air pollution

 

Green spaces help kids get smarter

Research suggests that children who are exposed to green spaces, especially while at school, had improved working memory and decreased inattentiveness as well as a scored higher on academic tests. A Belgian study suggests that a low residential green space in urban children is associated with a “shift” towards a higher incidence of low IQ (Bijnens, et al. 2020) which suggests that bit more green space (3%) for kids can boost their IQ by 2.6 points and reduce aggression by two points.

There is a Nordic word: friluftsliv – the healing power of nature.

Key benefits of the biophilia effect for kids are:

  • Improving focus
  • Boosting creativity
  • Getting more out of the workouts
  • Less pain and better sleep
  • Increasing vitamin D levels
  • Higher IQ
  • Lower aggression levels

According to research-heavy studies, the biophilia effect can be enhanced just with views and pictures of nature (and watching nature programmes). Spending time in nature, parks, woods, forests, by the sea, etc is the best option. And having many plants at home and workplace. For example, a 2015 study proved that “microbreaks” in nature (just looking at green roofs in cities rather than concrete roofs) improve cognitive functioning.

Biophilia effect

Biophilia effect

Forest bathing

Forest bathing is a form of meditation in the natural world based on the biophilia hypothesis and there is growing research on the befits of the forest bathing. ‘Forest bathing’ is a translation of the Japanese concept of shinrin-yoku, developed in the 1980s for the good of public health. Other popular Japanese lifestyle concepts are wabi-sabi, the art of imperfection, kanso and danshari.

Plant trees
Planting and preserving trees is one of the key ways to lock up carbon, clean our air and provide environments for wildlife. It makes good financial sense, too. The statistics are clear, Natural England, suggests that for every £1 spent on trees, the UK saves £7 in healthcare, energy and environmental costs. According to a poll by YouGov, nine in 10 Londoners think it is important that we have more trees in London. I’m sure it would be the same for other cities and towns on this planet.

“We need to get away from the idea that nature is for the countryside and not for cities.”
Dan Raven-Ellison is a guerrilla geographer and explorer

Carl Jung said, ” We all need nourishment for our psyche. It is impossible to find such nourishment in urban tenements without a patch of green or a blossoming tree.” Voltaire said, ” “Il faut cultiver notre jardin,” and walked his talk by planted thousands of trees on his land in eastern France to confirm: “I have only done one sensible thing in my life – cultivate the ground. He who tills a field renders a better service to mankind than all the scribblers in Europe.” Freud was an avid orchid lover and cherished his garden in West Hampstead, London. There is a Nordic word: friluftsliv – the healing power of nature.

Research and references on biophilia

A Forest Bathing Trip Increases Human Natural Killer Activity and Expression of Anti-Cancer Proteins in Female Subjects See the Pdf of the study 

The health benefits of the great outdoors: A systematic review and meta-analysis of greenspace exposure and health outcomes

Green Spaces at School May Help Kids’ Brains

Green spaces and cognitive development in primary schoolchildren

Green Spaces Make Kids Smarter

On the importance of parks and green spaces

Linking Student Performance in Massachusetts Elementary Schools with the “Greenness” of School Surroundings Using Remote Sensing

5 Reasons to Spend More Time Outside—Even When It’s Cold

A prescription for better health: go alfresco

Give your ideas some legs: the positive effect of walking on creative thinking.

What is the Best Dose of Nature and Green Exercise for Improving Mental Health? A Multi-Study Analysis

Outdoor physical activity and self rated health in older adults living in two regions of the U.S.

Vis Medicatrix naturae: does nature “minister to the mind”?

The Origins of Aesthetic and Spiritual Values in Children’s Experience of Nature

What is the impact of using outdoor spaces such as gardens on the physical and mental well-being of those with dementia? A systematic review of quantitative and qualitative evidence.

“Identification of an Immune-Responsive Mesolimbocortical Serotonergic System: Potential Role in Regulation of Emotional Behavior,” by Christopher Lowry et al., published online on March 28, 2007 in Neuroscience.
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Antidepressant Microbes In Soil: How Dirt Makes You Happy https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/antidepressant-microbes-soil.htm

The Natural Health Service: What the Great Outdoors Can Do for Your Mind by Isabel Hardman

The Well Gardened Mind: Rediscovering Nature in the Modern World by Sue Stuart-Smith

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Bijnens, E. M., Derom, C., Thiery, E., Weyers, S., Nawrot, T. S. (2020). Residential green space and child intelligence and behavior across urban, suburban, and rural areas in Belgium: A longitudinal birth cohort study of twins. Plos Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1003213

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]]> The Power of Monstera: The Ultimate Guide to Placement, Care, and Feng Shui Energy https://www.fengshuilondon.net/the-power-of-monstera-the-ultimate-guide-to-placement-care-and-feng-shui-energy/ Wed, 07 Apr 2010 10:26:21 +0000 https://www.fengshuilondon.net/?p=22440 Monstera plants, particularly the Monstera deliciosa, and Monstera adansonii, are popular houseplants that offer both aesthetic appeal and numerous benefits for your home. Here’s a comprehensive guide on where to place your Monstera, its benefits, and its significance from a Feng Shui perspective (Monstera is also called Swiss Cheese Money Plant). Ideal Placement When deciding […]

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]]> Monstera plants, particularly the Monstera deliciosa, and Monstera adansonii, are popular houseplants that offer both aesthetic appeal and numerous benefits for your home. Here’s a comprehensive guide on where to place your Monstera, its benefits, and its significance from a Feng Shui perspective (Monstera is also called Swiss Cheese Money Plant).

Ideal Placement

When deciding where to place your Monstera plant, consider the following factors:
Light Requirements: Monstera thrives in bright, indirect light. Place it near a window that receives filtered sunlight, but avoid direct exposure. A spot a few feet away from an eastern, western, or southern-facing window is ideal.
Temperature: Maintain a moderate room temperature between 18-25°C (64-77°F) for optimal growth.
Humidity: Monstera appreciates higher humidity levels. Consider placing it in naturally humid areas like bathrooms or kitchens.
Space: As Monstera can grow quite large, ensure it has enough space to spread out.

Benefits of Monstera Plants

Having a Monstera plant in your home offers several advantages:
Air Purification: Monstera acts as a natural air purifier, absorbing household pollutants and improving indoor air quality.
Stress Reduction: The presence of Monstera can help reduce stress levels, lower blood pressure, and promote feelings of well-being.
Creativity Boost: Monstera plants are believed to enhance creativity and productivity, making them excellent additions to home offices or workspaces.
Aesthetic Appeal: With their large, glossy leaves and unique perforations, Monstera plants add a tropical and visually striking element to any room.
Low Maintenance: Monstera is relatively easy to care for, making it an excellent choice for both experienced plant enthusiasts and beginners.

Feng Shui Perspective

In Feng Shui, Monstera plants are associated with several positive attributes:
Positive Energy: Monstera is believed to absorb negative energies and replace them with positive vibrations.
Wealth and Abundance: The plant is often associated with prosperity. Placing it in the southeast corner of your home or office is thought to attract wealth and abundance. Monstera is also called Swiss Cheese Money Plant.
Balance and Harmony: The strong, upward growth pattern of Monstera is believed to create balance and promote positive energy flow.
Protection: Monstera plants are thought to offer protection from negative energy, especially when placed near the entrance of your home.

 
Remember, while Feng Shui principles can guide plant placement, the most important factors are providing proper care and ensuring the plant thrives in its environment. By doing so, you’ll create a beautiful, healthy addition to your home that can enhance both its appearance and atmosphere.
 
WHY

The positive effects of nature and plants on human well-being are well-documented in environmental psychology and biophilia research, with numerous studies highlighting their significant benefits. These natural elements offer a wide range of advantages, from improving physical and mental health to enhancing creativity and productivity.

Health Benefits

Plants and natural environments have been shown to provide various health benefits:
Stress Reduction: Exposure to plants and green spaces can significantly lower stress levels. This effect is observed in both indoor and outdoor settings, with studies showing decreased cortisol levels and lower blood pressure in individuals surrounded by nature.
Air Quality Improvement: Indoor plants act as natural air purifiers, absorbing pollutants and improving overall air quality. This can lead to better respiratory health and a reduction in allergy symptoms. But, scientists claims that you’d need to have lots of them to improve quality of the air in any significant way – debunking the NASA study regarding the air cleansing plants.
Immune System Boost: Regular interaction with nature and plants can strengthen the immune system, potentially reducing the frequency and duration of illnesses.

Mental Well-being

The presence of plants and natural elements has a profound impact on mental health:
Anxiety and Depression Reduction: Green spaces and indoor plants have been linked to lower levels of anxiety and depression. Hospitals have even begun “prescribing” potted plants to patients with mental health symptoms.
Improved Cognitive Function: Studies have shown that plants in learning environments can enhance attention span and memory retention. Students in classrooms with real plants demonstrated better concentration and cognitive performance.

Creativity and Productivity

Incorporating plants into work and living spaces can boost creativity and productivity:
Enhanced Workplace Performance: Research indicates that employees in offices with plants show increased productivity, take fewer sick days, and report higher job satisfaction.
Creativity Boost: The presence of plants has been associated with increased creativity and problem-solving abilities. This effect is particularly noticeable in workplace settings.

Feng Shui Perspective

In Feng Shui philosophy, plants play a crucial role:
Growth and Prosperity: Plants symbolise growth, vitality, the ‘wood/tree’ element, and abundance in Feng Shui. They are believed to promote positive energy flow and attract prosperity. They can be placed anywhere appropriate for their growth (see Ideal Placement) and symbolically as well, e.g. in the wealth area according to the Bagua model. In workplaces, near the desk is optimal for the best results. Monstera is sometimes called Swiss Cheese Money Plant.
Balance and Harmony: The incorporation of plants helps balance the five elements in Feng Shui, creating a harmonious living environment.
Positive Energy: Certain plants, such as the Money Tree or Jade Plant, are specifically associated with good fortune and positive energy in Feng Shui practices.

In conclusion, the integration of plants and natural elements into our living and working spaces offers a multitude of benefits. From improving physical health and reducing stress to enhancing creativity and promoting a sense of well-being, the positive effects of biophilia are far-reaching. This aligns perfectly with Feng Shui principles, which emphasise the importance of natural elements in creating balanced, prosperous environments. As we continue to spend more time indoors, incorporating these natural elements becomes increasingly crucial for our overall health and happiness.

References

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