September 11, 2020

Biophilia + Physical Health

Biophilia - Physical Health Talking Points

There is mounting evidence that interacting with nature delivers measurable benefits to people. Though this may seem primordially instinctive, interdisciplinary research is providing myriad studies illustrating specific benefits to physical well-being. Whether it provides distraction from pain, fresh air, a bolstered immune system, or restoration- a connection to nature is vital to a healthy lived experience.

Keywords

Nature, healing, biophilia, garden, pain, health, green space

Constructed Nature Exposure

• Viewing a nature scene and listening to accompanying pastoral sounds as a form of distraction therapy may reduce pain (Lechtzin 2003)
• Nature based distraction therapy is portable, compact, does not require costly training to use (Lechtzin 2010)
• Post op patients with the tree view had shorter postoperative hospital stays, had fewer negative evaluative comments from nurses, took fewer moderate and strong analgesic doses, and lower scores for minor post-surgical complications (Ulrich 1984)

Healing Gardens

• Therapeutic horticulture was formally introduced to medicine in the US following the end of World War II as occupational therapy for veterans (Soderback 2004)
• Horticulture therapy improves health; well-being and life satisfaction; encourages emotional, cognitive and/or sensory motor functional improvement; increases social participation; increases ability for re-employed (Soderback 2004)

Real Nature Exposure

• “Forest bathing” (short, leisurely visits to a forest) increases levels of naturally occurring anticancer proteins
• Essential oils released from trees are antimicrobial and strengthen the immune system
• Habitual forest bathing may help to decrease the risk of psychosocial stress-related disorders, mental illness caused or influenced by life experiences (e.g. substance-related disorders, anxiety, schizophrenia, mood disorders, eating disorders, identity conflict, etc.) (Li 2010)
• Residents of neighborhoods with poor living conditions and few environmental amenities display more symptoms of chronic stress and poor health regardless of preexisting conditions, especially groups who spend a large amount of time in the home (Van den Berg 2007)