As technology advances, we spend more and more time cooped up within the four walls of our homes/ workplace/ classrooms, we interact less and less with our natural environment, such that the lack of biophilic activities and time spent in nature is simply reinforcing our disconnect from nature.  As we become more removed from other life forms, there is less resistance when it comes to ecosystem and environmental degradation. As such, it is crucial that we strengthen our relationship with nature, to allow for greater conservation efforts.

In the local context of Singapore, this can be seen by how the government tries to integrate nature and green spaces into our everyday lives. In fact, from 1975 to 2014, the area of parks and green spaces increased from 879 ha to 9,707 ha, and the number of parks grew from 13 to 330.

This can help cultivate a greater sense of biophilia amongst those living in Singapore, spurring conservation efforts.

Graphic by Sharon

Research has shown that surrounding oneself with nature (even just two hours per week!) is linked to greater satisfaction and better health than those who do not. In addition, immersing oneself in  natural environments is associated with increased mental and spiritual health, and encourages physical activity and hence physical fitness.

There was a study which suggests that nature expedites healing! Half the patients stayed in room where the windows faced trees, while the other half were in rooms where their windows faced a brick wall. Patients who had a view of the trees were discharged within a shorter time, took less painkillers, and reported a greater positive overall recovery experience.

Being surrounded with nature relieves stress as well. Seeing natural environments stimulates more of the visual cortex than non-natural environments, leading to more pleasure receptors being activated, leading to greater stress recovery.

Nature provides us with short- and long-term mental and physical benefits. Biophilic designs as well feeds into our natural inclination towards being in nature, which can improve our quality of life, and our wellbeing.