Bringing Nature Indoors

Nature-inspired colors and decorating options are the easiest way to add a natural touch to your home. Plants are a great option as they look good and can help purify the air.

Even just looking at pictures of green trees, mountains, and vistas has restorative effects. So too do listening to the soothing sounds of waterfalls and rain.

1. Plants

Plants are the most common and perhaps easiest way to bring nature indoors. From a simple houseplant on your desk to a carefully cultivated urban jungle, plants can be used in various ways and have some pretty profound health benefits.

They scrub toxins from the air, releasing oxygen during the day and night while doing so. They’re a good choice for combating “Sick Building Syndrome,” a condition that occurs when people spend too much time in buildings and is characterized by headaches, skin and sinus irritations, fatigue, and more.

Plants are also one of the most natural design elements to bring into a space, alongside water and fire. Adding natural materials like cork or bamboo is another way to incorporate a more biophilic environment.

2. Flowers

While getting outside is a necessary component of a healthy lifestyle, flowers are a great alternative for those who cannot always make it outdoors. Not only do they bring a touch of nature indoors, but they also provide a sense of comfort and tranquility.

They also smell good, which elevates the ambiance of any living space. In addition, they can be used as decorative items to add a natural element to a room.

Flowers play a crucial role in the reproduction of plants, through pollination, which is accomplished by both insects and wind. Help children understand what flowers are and how they work with this Parts of a Flower foldable poster. It includes a hands-on activity, fun facts, and more. This resource is a wonderful supplement for any plant or flower unit in the classroom.

3. Natural Light

In the hands of a skilled photographer, natural light is an amazing tool. It adds texture, tone, and mood to an image. It also allows the subject to be more natural and less artificial-looking.

While it is a great idea to bring living, direct nature experiences into indoor environments, this can be difficult in many cases. This is because plants and aquariums require regular care and maintenance.

Bringing natural light indoors is an easy way to incorporate nature into your home or office. Make sure to open your blinds and windows to allow natural sunlight in, and consider adding a skylight to your home. Exposure to natural light has been shown to reduce stress, boost vitamin D levels, and increase energy and productivity.

4. Sound

Bringing plants, natural light, and water into the home can have a big impact on health. Direct nature experiences are also known to improve performance in the workplace and have a positive effect on wellbeing at home.

But if you don’t have access to greenery or a scenic view, sounds of nature can be just as beneficial. Studies have shown that listening to nature sounds such as bird song and water rushing help reduce stress, tension, and anxiety in the body.

Try listening to a nature sound-based meditation on apps like Insight Timer or simply playing a track of soothing rain or waterfall sounds. The calming noises can be very helpful in reducing stress and unwinding after a long day. And the best part is that they’re completely free!

5. Water

Water is a natural element that can provide calming and soothing properties. Whether you include images of waterfalls and rainfall or simply turn on a playlist of nature sounds, this can have a positive impact on mental health and well-being.

In its different forms, water is the defining substance of life on earth. It comprises 62 percent of the human body and is crucial to all living things. It has unique properties that are essential for human life, including its ability to dissolve many substances.

Bringing nature indoors can be challenging, as living elements require regular care and maintenance. Despite the barriers, experts say that connecting to nature is important for our health and that equal access to green spaces is key to addressing climate change.