Biophilia is real, and it’s spectacular!
Plants are great for humans, but here’s a few reasons why that’s the case.
Nature nurtures, indoors and outdoors alike.
Biophilia is the term coined by the Harvard naturalist Dr. Edward O. Wilson to describe what he saw as humanity's "innate tendency to focus on life and lifelike processes," and to be drawn toward nature, to feel an affinity for it, a love, a craving.— Natalie Angier. Our brains have developed to seek out natural spaces, because of the beneficial mental rewards they bring.
Just adding a few plants to a windowless room has been shown to decrease subjects’ blood pressure, improve their attention and productivity, and prompt more generous behaviour towards others. Benefits of green space also increase with biodiversity, so variety is key when shopping for indoor plants: grab a few different species!
Do you live in a noisy, busy city? Green spaces in urban areas help to make road and railroad noise less of a nuisance, a concept known as green earplugs.
Positive psychology had previously been thought to be the absence of negative thoughts, but now there is an entire field dedicated to the study of positive mental patterns. While downward spirals are subtractive to our allostatic energy budgets, upward spirals compound and bring with them more beneficial thoughts, actions, and emotions.
People living near green spaces are also more likely to exercise, and be physically active. That would also support the upward spiral theory, that one beneficial step for our mental health often compounds and produces more energy, and motivation for more healthy actions throughout the day.
“Our emotions aren’t singular and isolated. Instead, they build on each other, and as they do this, they take on a kind of momentum. Emotions spiral because they unconsciously promote thoughts and behaviours that reinforce our current mental state. […] What makes upward spirals particularly powerful is that they set us up for more joy in the future. The flexible thinking that comes in the wake of a positive mood makes us more resourceful and creative, which enriches our days and helps us cope with adverse events. Increased openness to others helps us make friends, strengthening our network of social support. And the curious, exploratory mindset prompts us to get out of our comfort zone, expanding our worldview and opening the door to discovering new sources of joy in the future.” (Fetell Lee, I)
