Benefits of Listening to Nature Sounds: Mental Health and Biophilic Wellness Design Consultants
Here we explore the science behind natural soundscapes and biophilic sounds via their impact on mental wellbeing. As more and more apps promote the concept of listening to nature as a way to reduce stress, boost productivity and improve mood, we look at the evidence behind and ask how it works. Biofilico Healthy Building consultants, London and Barcelona.
Health Benefits of listening to Pre Recorded Nature Sounds vs. Music
All of the body’s senses can be used one way or another in order to alter a person’s physical and mental wellbeing but hearing is a primary sense often targeted first because of the bang for buck - multiple benefits from minimal intervention.
This is the foundation of the acoustic comfort concept present in healthy building standards such as WELL (acoustic comfort chapter here), partly as a way to balance any negative aspects of distracting noise present in an indoor environment that can in turn create a negative mood state.
A practice that is on the rise in the world of acoustic comfort in healthy buildings and wellness design is a sub-segment of the sound wellness trend focused specifically on natural soundscapes and biophilic sounds - acoustic environments that taken directly from or inspired by natural environments.
Such biophilic sounds and natural soundscapes are being deployed in apps / software programs such as SWELL by Open Ear Music. These apps often use pre-recorded nature sounds to enhance relaxation and well-being.
the science behind biophilic sounds and mental wellbeing benefits
Even though the science behind listening to nature sounds does not necessarily have concrete benefits, there have been many studies conducted and theories created as to why listening to these types of sounds work, and work they do!
What is meant by the notion that a sound is “working” can be seen through physiological and behavioral changes. For example, listening to sounds of nature has been proven to increase mood, improve focus, promote sleep, help relaxation, and overall ensure a boost in mental wellbeing. Additionally, exposure to natural soundscapes can lead to enhanced cognitive function, improving cognitive performance, alertness, memory, and problem-solving skills.
The theory behind why nature sounds work well has to do with the biological appeal that being exposed to nature, provides. Natural sounds can alter the brain connections that trigger fight or flight response and therefore calm our systems down when we don’t perceive a threat.
The mellow birdsongs or serene waves tell the body that things are fine and there is no immediate threat which, in turn, reduces stress and the cognitive load that is associated with a heightened alertness. Nature sounds also have an immediate calming effect, providing a respite from the distractions of modern life and contributing to mental and physical wellbeing.
This high-level of stress has also been seen through listening to artificial sounds by causing an increase in inward thinking that is associated with ruminating, and over-thinking which lead to depressive and anxiety disorders.
Even though there are different types of nature sounds that range from rustling of trees to crashing of waves, the nature (no pun intended) of the sounds does not seem to matter but rather varies from person to person based on familiarity.
For instance, rustling trees may cause more benefits for someone who grew up surrounded by trees than they would for someone who grew up by the ocean.
There appears to be a level of familiarity or nostalgia that goes into the effectiveness of certain sounds. So even though places such as Quiet Parks are popping up and showing improvements in people’s moods conversely, beaches and other settings will be just as effective for the right individual.
Going back to the idea of Quiet Parks brings up an important piece of the puzzle which is, how connected do you feel to nature?
Nature sounds and circadian rhythm
An equally important notion is how submerged in the environment you feel. Studies have shown that the more variety in nature sounds, at once, the more a person can feel immersed in the environment and trigger bodily patterns such as circadian rhythm.
Nature sounds act as a powerful sleep aid by creating a tranquil environment that masks disruptive noises and promotes restorative sleep.
This biological clock helps us to get better acclimated to our surroundings and fall into a comfortable routine. The more biodiversity in a soundscape, the more likely an individual is to really believe they are there and better be able to connect with the natural processes required to sustain a happy, comfortable state of mind.
Another useful aspect of sound wellness is the role music can have, specifically with therapeutic processes. Music therapy is a newer practice that has also shown promising health and wellness benefits. The key difference between the two practices being the applications.
Sound wellness is usually a means to treat the symptoms of a bad mood and music therapy is primarily seen in hospitals and other treatment facilitates to aid in reversing or correcting some undesirable behavior.
Music therapy is usually used alongside other affirmative actions in order to touch upon one of five beneficial categories: emotional, physical, spiritual, social, or cognitive. The emotional benefits can help reduce anxiety and encourage self-expression.
The physical benefits are most seen in pain reduction through distraction, relaxation, improved motor development, etc. Physical benefits can also include motivational factors that reflect the task at hand by providing the energy needed in order to get things done and do them well.
Spiritual and social benefits can bring people together through shared interests or a common goal. Lastly, the cognitive aspect can advocate for better coping skills, increased sense of control, and better focused attention for the task at hand.
Whether a company or individual user wants to become better a task, improve their mood, or become more equip to deal with life’s challenges, sound wellness can apply in a multitude of different ways.
Both nature sounds and music can produce a wide range of results that show positive results so when asking the question of “how can I better help myself?” It all depends on context and desired results.
Additional research notes and links:
Nature sounds alter brain connections and reduce fight or flight reflex
https://www.health.com/condition/stress/why-nature-sounds-are-relaxing –> brain scans, heart rate monitors, behavioral experiments
Artificial sounds linked to more inward focus while nature sounds focused on outward focus
Inward = worrying, over-thinking; linked to conditions such as depression/ anxiety disorders; slower reaction times (means less sustained focus)
Natural sounds improve focus
Familiarity makes a difference—dif. Nature sounds might help one but not other person
Parks are key relaxation places less human-made noise and nature sounds together
Improved health: decreased pain, lower stress, increased mood /cognitive performance
anthropogenic sounds = especially in marine life, is noise pollution (high intensity; opposite of relaxing)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301479717307193 Acoustic environments matter: Synergistic benefits to humans and ecological communities
Protected areas key for biodiversity, which provides a more realistic, immersive experience
“Your Wellbeing Garden” by Alistair Griffiths, Matt Keightley, Annie Gatti, Zia Allaway- Birdsong; better to have multiple diff kinds
Thought to be parallel btwn how birdsong develops, and humans speak that can account for why birdsong is more appealing
https://academic.oup.com/bioscience/article/61/3/203/238162?login=true
Nature sounds linked to environmental quality
“no coherent theory regarding the ecological significance of all sounds emanating from a landscape exists”
Soundscape ecology landscape and composition of sound
Geographical context, recognizing anthropogenic/ biological processes, temporal/ spectral patterns and how a break in pattern can alter configuration of landscapes (lack of biodiversity creates less connection with nature) provide info about surroundings
“The rhythms of nature;” ex. Singing of birds strongly correlates to sunrise and sunset
Music Therapy
helpful distraction from painful procedures
helps decrease sedative needed
music modulates mood, if paired with action, release hormones that reduce perception of strain; good distraction
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/8817-music-therapy
Listening, singing, playing or composing
Enhanced communication/ social skills to manage thoughts
Increased motivation
Pain managing
Behavior disorders
Emotional benefits—self expression, anxiety reduction
Physical benefits – changing heart rate/ lowering bp, improved motor development, pain management/ distraction, relaxation
Spiritual benefits
Cognitive—coping skills, increased sense of control
Social—bring people together
Sound therapy focuses on controlling symptoms and music therapy relatively new and primarily used in hospital type facilities
https://www.verywellmind.com/benefits-of-music-therapy-89829
May not work on its own; more medically based than sound therapy
Goal-oriented
Accesses shared brain systems: cognitive, motor, speech centers
https://www.biausa.org/public-affairs/media/neurologic-music-therapy-in-neurorehabilitation
How music is processed/ perceived in the brain
Being actively or passively engaged simulates multiple parts of the brain
Neurologic Music Therapy
Improving Sleep Quality with Nature Sounds
Listening to nature sounds before bed can significantly improve sleep quality by creating a calming atmosphere. Research has shown that exposure to natural sounds, such as ocean waves or rain, can reduce stress and anxiety, making it easier to fall asleep. These soothing sounds can also help mask disruptive noises that can disturb sleep, such as traffic or snoring.
Studies have found that listening to nature sounds before bed can lead to improved sleep quality, increased sleep duration, and better overall well-being. The calming effect of nature sounds can also help reduce symptoms of insomnia and other sleep disorders. Incorporating nature sounds into your bedtime routine can be as simple as playing a recording of ocean waves or rain on a phone app or sound machine.
By improving sleep quality, nature sounds can also have a positive impact on physical and mental health, including reduced blood pressure and improved cognitive function. The simple act of listening to nature sounds can transform your sleep experience, leading to a more restful and rejuvenating night.
Reducing Stress and Anxiety through Biophilic Sounds
Biophilic sounds, such as bird songs and water sounds, can have a profound impact on reducing stress and anxiety. Research has shown that exposure to natural sounds can lower cortisol levels, heart rate, and blood pressure, all indicators of stress. Nature sounds can also have a positive impact on mental health, reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression.
The calming effect of biophilic sounds can be attributed to the way they interact with the brain’s default mode network, which is responsible for relaxation and stress reduction. Incorporating biophilic sounds into your daily routine can be as simple as taking a walk in a park or forest, or listening to a recording of nature sounds on a phone app.
By reducing stress and anxiety, biophilic sounds can also have a positive impact on physical health, including reduced blood pressure and improved immune function. The positive effects of biophilic sounds can also be seen in the workplace, where they can improve productivity and overall well-being. Embracing the natural world through sound can be a simple yet powerful way to enhance your mental and physical health.
Boosting Cognitive Function with Natural Acoustics
Natural acoustics, such as the sounds of ocean waves or wind, can have a profound impact on cognitive function. Research has shown that exposure to natural sounds can improve attention, memory, and creativity. The calming effect of natural acoustics can also reduce distractions and improve focus, leading to enhanced cognitive performance.
Nature sounds can also have a positive impact on mood, reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression. Incorporating natural acoustics into your daily routine can be as simple as taking a walk in a park or forest, or listening to a recording of nature sounds on a phone app.
By improving cognitive function, natural acoustics can also have a positive impact on overall well-being, including improved sleep quality and reduced stress. The positive effects of natural acoustics can also be seen in the workplace, where they can improve productivity and overall well-being. Embracing the soothing sounds of the natural world can be a simple yet effective way to boost your cognitive performance and enhance your quality of life.
Top 5 Sound Therapy App for Mental Wellbeing — Biofilico Wellness Interiors
What is sound wellness?
Sound wellness is leveraging the physiological process behind the act of listening, which produces specific chemical signals sent to the brain that in turn promote certain mental states such as enhanced mood and reduced anxiety.
Merely focusing in a mindful way on the sensation and experience of hearing can be an important way to tap into various biological processes that control human mental and physical wellbeing. Sound therapy apps can be particularly beneficial for individuals with hearing loss and can be used in conjunction with hearing aids to provide tinnitus relief. These apps are available on the App Store for iOS devices, ensuring compatibility and ease of access for users.
For instance, certain brainwaves can influence our circadian rhythm, promoting even a greater mental alertness or indeed relaxation. Similarly, they can also influence blood pressure and reduce anxiety, based on certain the inputs.
What are brainwaves and how do they relate to mental wellbeing?
There are 5 different types of brainwaves that all vary in intensity. From descending order of frequency: Gamma, Beta, Alpha, Theta and Delta.
The most important ones to think about when controlling mood are Alpha and Theta that both involve relaxation and reflection.
The self regulation of brainwaves (neurofeedback) has become increasingly popular among wellness professionals because of its observable benefits. Sound therapy apps often include options like pink noise and brown noise, which can help in relaxation and managing tinnitus symptoms.
These benefits have been seen to tap into the frequencies of certain brainwaves and propagate signals to connect our external body to our internal body by focusing on manipulating brain patterns to affect everything from stress reduction, to sleep promotion, to muscle relaxation and everything in between.
Sound wellness and biophilia (natural sounds)
In the example of sound wellness, biophilic soundscapes are now being utilized in offices and personal spaces with the goal of providing mental clarity, enhancing relaxation, boosting attention span and reducing anxiety levels.
As humans continue to evolve, arguably enlarging the distance between us and nature in the process, the amount of unnatural noise we produce grows with it and yet, our natural body processes don’t seem to be keeping up.
Sound therapy, specifically the new concept (but actually nothing new at all!) of biophilic sounds of nature, have been trying to hack our indoor environments to promote all of these biological processes described above. Natural sounds, such as water running or crickets chirping, are often used in sound therapy apps to provide relief for tinnitus patients. Nature sounds play a crucial role in relaxation and coping, particularly for tinnitus relief and better sleep, with many apps offering high-quality and customizable nature soundscapes.
A range of new apps and software are available providing individuals and brands access to this new frontier in sound therapy, below we outline the top five to watch.
Moodsonic - biophilic soundscapes
Moodsonic uses sonic engineering and the science of psychoacoustics in order to construct biophilic soundscapes to promote healthier work places, school settings, and overall productivity environments.
This algorithm uses sound technology to create soundscapes that react and adapt to targeted users to promote better productivity and overall mental wellbeing.
These soundscapes are designed around the body’s circadian rhythms in order to help people feel more awake during the daytime, and better fall asleep during night. Additionally, soothing sounds can help users relax and improve their mental wellbeing by providing relief from tinnitus and aiding in sleep.
The brand announced its launch in early 2020 and is owned by The Sound Company.
OpenEar's SWELL - sound therapy for tinnitus relief
Open Ear is a company run by international DJ Brian D’Souza and a team of music professionals. Their main business is to curate personalized playlists for businesses such as hotels, restaurants, retail stores and spas.
Swell is a sub-division of OpenEar that focuses specifically on spas, gyms and other wellness venues, with the aim of promoting overall levels of health and wellbeing by positively impacting mood.
Swell combines bespoke playlists and compositions with sounds of nature and other calming music as a form of sound therapy. The SWELL app includes options like white noise, which can be beneficial for providing tinnitus relief. The app also offers various tinnitus sounds such as pink noise, natural water sounds, crickets chirping, and specific tinnitus relief sounds, which can be adjusted and personalized for effective tinnitus sound therapy.
Based in London, the Swell app was made in order to be more accessible and affordable for people on either an individual basis or as a playlist solution for coffee shops, gyms, even co-working spaces.
https://openearmusic.com/soundwellness/
Mindbreaks - mindfulness sounds
Mindbreaks is a mindfulness app aimed at improving mental wellbeing and mood to increase energy, focus, and reduce user stress.
Delos, the company responsible for this app, focuses on the innate need for humans to be exposed to nature to better feel connected to the natural world. They are also the connected to / behind the WELL Healthy Building Standard and the International Well Building Institute (IWBI), making them a major player in the healthy building and wellness real estate space.
Mindbreaks, like other tinnitus apps, offers features such as sound masking and guided meditation to help manage tinnitus symptoms. Additionally, Mindbreaks offers a web app with unique features and comprehensive sound therapy options. Delos creates a “wellness sanctuary” with Mindbreaks, evidence based products, immersive experiences and other audio content to promote mental wellbeing– for a variety of environments from personal to commercial and everything in between.
https://delos.com/products/mindbreaks/
Endel - wellness soundscapes
Founded by a collection of artists and creatives in 2018, Endel uses AI to create personalized soundscapes to use the body’s circadian rhythm to reduce stress, increase productivity, and improve sleep quality.
Endel uses pentatonic scale and sound masking to make soundscapes that get in touch with various aspects of user’s motion tracking, heart rate, light exposure, blood pressure, and other nervous system responses. Endel also employs techniques like threshold sound conditioning to strengthen hearing and improve overall auditory health.
The main goal of this app is to take internal and external cues from the participants and use AI to create optimal environments without any conscious effort from the user.
Myndstream - wellness music
Myndstream is a wellness music company that partners with other music companies to circumvent licensing issues, reducing cost of audio privileges in the process.
A main issue that this company tries to avoid is that organizations, such as spas, pay big prices for a whole catalog of music while they only really use a small percentage of the music.
Thus, Myndstream provides spas specifically with a catalog of wellness music that takes away the need to pay for unnecessary playlists not geared towards mindfulness and mental wellbeing in particular. Myndstream also offers specific tinnitus treatment options, including various tinnitus sounds to help manage and alleviate symptoms.
multi-sensory wellbeing interiors
How to use light, sound, scent and texture in Biophilic design for wellbeing benefitsHow to use light, sound, scent and texture in multisensory Biophilic design for wellbeing benefits
What is wellbeing interior design?
Wellbeing interiors are simply indoor spaces that have been maximized for human health and wellness. These may or may not include consideration for sustainability as the focus here is primarily on People rather than Planet. The role of human senses is crucial in this context, as a fundamentally multisensory approach to design can enhance the overall well-being of occupants by considering a broader spectrum of human perception, including light, air, sound, and materials selection. Multisensory design is essential in creating meaningful experiences that engage users’ senses, impacting mood, behavior, and well-being.
It’s a subtle distinction and by no means one that suggests mutually exclusive concepts, in fact we would argue that the best examples manage to marry both, bridging both worlds, respecting the environment whilst also promoting enhanced health for occupants of the space.
Wellbeing design considers light, air, sound and materials selection. This is often delivered by a Wellbeing Champion either independently or as a consultant on a wider project team.
What is biophilic design?
Biophilic design combines elements of nature, health and sustainability in interiors and architecture.
Far more than just landscaping, in its finest examples, it maintains a strong visual connection between indoor and outdoor worlds through the careful selection of colours, materials, patterns, shapes and, yes, both living plants and non-living representations of nature.
Our ‘tools’ in this sense include indoor planters and mini gardens, living walls, flooring, wall decor, acoustic panels, natural artworks, furniture fabrics, even eco cleaning policies, aromatherapy, soundscapes.
Natural light in healthy indoor environments
Lighting in a home office environment is important not just for ensuring a respectable image on a Zoom call but also for its role on our mental wellbeing. Natural light is crucial for maintaining consistent circadian rhythms, promoting physical and mental health, and contributing to a healthy multisensory workspace. Digital design plays a significant role in creating multisensory workspaces that incorporate non-visual sensory aspects, such as smell, taste, and touch, to enhance overall perception and experience. Considering a broader spectrum of sensory perceptions, it may not be the first thing we think of in relation to Biophilic design and healthy indoor environments but it is a valuable component in any wellbeing interiors project.
In a workplace wellness strategy, both for home and commercial spaces, daylight exposure is key for well-being.
First up, it’s always a good idea to get a few minutes of direct natural sunlight within the first 30 minutes or so of waking in order to help regulate your circadian rhythm - use a smart light system that recreates that same spectrum of colour for you indoors during the winter months, these lights can also be used to replicate sunlight as your alarm clock all year round, assuming dogs, cats and kids do not get there first!
Similarly, when working from home place your desk set-up near a window to give you as much natural daylight during your work day as possible. When you need supplemental lighting, again a smart light system will allow you to program the colour frequency from blue-white in the morning to amber in the evening, easing you into the day and winding you down steadily at night.
In the evenings one should avoid exposure to intense sources of blue-white light. Halogen ceiling lights will struggle to create the right atmosphere mornings and evenings above all, so you’ll want to switch to a combination of standing lamps and task lighting (e.g. desk lamp) to give more flexibility.
Get this wrong and it can severely affect quality of sleep - we may even be able to fall asleep as usual but there will be less REM sleep and therefore less mental recuperation taking place during the night. Those with sleep monitors on their wrists or fingers should be able to produce their own data to verify this for themselves.
Clearly all screens, be they from a TV, computer or smartphone are possible sources of this same sleep-disrupting light, so ensure there is a program such as f.lux on your computer or just the TV brightness later in the evening - better yet allow yourself a minimum of one hour of screen-free time before bed.
In a family or work scenario where compromises need to be made for whatever reason, individually electing to wear a pair of amber-lensed glasses in the evenings does the same job. Again, it’s worth testing this out and monitoring your sleep quality if it is of interest.
Acoustics in wellbeing interiors
A healthy building needs to address acoustics and other sensory features in order to create a healthy indoor environment that does not promote stress, while aiding in concentration and, in a residential context, ensures high quality sleep at night.
Incorporating sensory integration into the design process is crucial for creating a healthy indoor environment, as it considers the impact of various senses on inhabitants and promotes well-being through a multisensory approach.
Sound insulating materials are often integrated into or under flooring tiles, dry wall insulation, decorative wall panels, room dividers, planters, furniture and even wall paint.
Distracting noises in large, open-plan office spaces can have a direct impact on worker wellbeing and leave staff struggling to find a quiet corner in which to do deep work alone.
Equally, a small room with no soft furnishings in, such as a second bedroom converted into a home office, will require either carpet or a rug, furniture and fabrics - basically anything soft to help stop the sound reverberating around the room.
Once an acoustic plan has established an agreeable baseline of background noise, then we can apply acoustic Biophilic design by bringing in subtle nature sounds or other forms of white noise to mask noise from HVAC systems and elevator shafts. This may not be appropriate everywhere but can, for example, be applied in specific areas such as a reception or waiting area, or canteen.
Sounds of trickling water could be a fountain outside, allowing nature sounds from outside to come indoors, acoustic world music, ethnic, or traditional music from around the world especially drumming, those are all evolutionary aligned soundtracks that are likely to promote focus and drive without distracting.
Delos in the US, the company behind the WELL Certification for healthy buildings, amongst other things, recently launched a biophilic sounds and mindfulness app called MindBreaks that offers high-quality 3D audio to help you “Escape, Energize, Rest, Meditate, Focus and Inspire”.
Acoustic sound booths such as these ones we sourced for the HERO food group’s corporate offices in Switzerland can also be integrated into a Biophilia plan by selecting suitable colours for the acoustic fabrics inside, options for models with wood (or veneer) panelling, placing plants around the booths and generally ensuring they integrate smoothly into the overall workplace design.
Finally, music with lyrics can be distracting at least in a language that we understand and there is nothing worse in a workplace context than a playlist that prevents us from doing our best work each day but as a rule, acoustic, traditional and ethnic sounds are going to be especially good at filling the void in a workspace context without demanding too much of your mental focus and attention.
Whether that is a realistic game plan for 8-10 hours a day or not is up to you and your colleagues to decide, perhaps just as we move around a workplace for different tasks, having specific playlists (or indeed a ‘no music’ policy) that match those tasks, might be a sensible solution?
Scent in Biophilic design interiors
So, we mentioned the idea of forest bathing a corollary of Biophilic design in interiors. Forest phytoncides are a particular airborne substance given off by certain species of trees that has been shown in South East Korea to boost the human immune system too.
When combined with what we know about the mental health benefits of spending time in nature, it’s clear that aromatherapy has a role to play in a multi-sensory Biophilic design strategy. This strategy emphasizes the importance of sensory experience, incorporating all five senses: sight, hearing, touch, smell, and even taste to create innovative and memorable environments. Adding layer upon layer of nature-inspired detail in a Biophilic interior concept can significantly enhance the sensory experience.
Invest in a high-quality pine or cypress oil for your home aromatherapy diffuser, perhaps combined with rosemary and peppermint to capture some of the same health benefits of spending time outside in a forest.
Think especially of how this could be done in a home office environment, for example, where a little Biophilic design can go a long way in creating a wellbeing interior geared for productivity and calm. The impact of sound in the workplace environment should also be considered, addressing both its positive and negative effects.
Equally, citrus oils such as bergamot and lemon are especially good for focus, followed by lavender later in the evening to help you wind down when the workday is done.
Texture in healthy interiors for sensory experience
Last but not least, let’s not forget the role of texture and sensory qualities in wellbeing interiors, as designing for all the senses with a carefully chosen natural fabric or finish with just the right amount of tactility can add an additional layer of nature-connectedness to a Biophilic design.
Man-made materials tend to be impossibly perfect compared to nature, so integrating natural materials such as wool, cork, wood and cotton in carefully selected places can invite a tactile interaction with the interiors. Plastic may be cheap and easy to clean but, at least from a Biophilic design perspective, it will never be able to compete with real wood or bamboo say.
We might imagine a decorative cork wall in an office reception for example such as those by Gencork or a textured jute rug by Nanimarquina in a home office inviting the user to spend time barefoot during the day.
Not all of the strategies need to be combined in every wellbeing interior but there is magic in integrating more than one of them as a way to add interest and intrigue…
What is ‘Non Rhythmic Sensory Stimuli in Design
Non rhythmic sensory stimuli is biophilic design in nature, it triggers visual stimuli which makes people feel calm and relaxed.
The natural environment is always in motion, something is always changing, so nature is never still. This natural flow is also known as a natural rhythm, and it is a part of a human being too, only we don't think about it often enough.
Do you find yourself tired spending hours in front of your TV or computer, listening to the static sound you can't avoid? People spend a lot of time indoors, surrounded by all these static sounds of technology.
That's why we need balance, and the key for it is NRS in interior design.
Understanding Non-Rhythmic Sensory Stimuli and the Natural Sounds We Need
Non rhythmic sensory stimuli or ‘NRSS’ are a part of the concept and they are created as a substance for calming nature sound we can hear outdoors. This imitation of natural rhythm is important not only for creating a pleasant vibe in a room but also for providing health and wellbeing benefits by increasing our wellbeing, happiness, and overall health.
Have you ever noticed how watching a fish tank makes you calm? Or how the raindrops sound good on a rainy day? Nature is made of all these sounds dynamic patterns and motions, and we are perfectly aligned with it. So NRSS in design strives to redeem this lack of natural sound by creating a space without too many static sounds.
How the Installation of NRSS in Design Works?
These stimuli from the natural environment create natural rhythm in different workspaces, apartments, and indoor surroundings, we spend the most time in. This can be arranged with technology solutions, such as designed lighting animations with natural elements and sounds.
There are examples of the digital garden, with the sounds and motions that imitate natural ones. This kind of technology solution is often implemented in places such as waiting rooms, airports, doctor’s offices, where people often feel a lack of calmness.
Technology Free Solutions for the Implementation of the NRSS
Without technology, there is still a way to create a natural rhythm indoors and be perfectly aligned with nature.
Indoor Plants
This is all a part of the wellness interior concept, that you can try, for instance, by putting a lot of plants in the room and creating a natural breeze.
Biophilic designers often work with horticulturists because plants are one of the biggest sources of the natural rhythm we can bring indoors.
Swaying grass or shimmering water features implemented in the interior design, which mimic natural motion, can also help you feel calm and relaxed.
Animals as Creators of Natural Rhythm
Interesting thing is that animals can also be participants in creating NRS in design of interior environments. As we’ve already mentioned, fish tanks are perfect for creating a relaxing vibe in the room. The motions of the fishes are so pleasant to watch, and the colours are usually pretty calming.
Examples of Biophilic Design That Evoke NRSS
Natural Lighting
Creating a beautiful vibe with perfectly natural sounds and motions, wouldn't be much without good lighting. As you may predict so far, natural lighting is very important, so bringing natural light source as much as it can be brought is a big part of this story. It fosters a connection to the outdoors, promoting well-being and productivity.
Advantage goes to healthy buildings because these are created from scratch to be the best example of biophilic design.
Water Features
Incorporating water features, such as fountains or reflecting pools, leverages simulated stimuli to enhance sensory experiences within the built environment. The repetitive natural motion of flowing water creates a mental respite for occupants, promoting environmental health and user well-being. These rhythmic sensory elements provide a contrast to the static beings of the office space, offering visitors exposure to non-rhythmic sensory stimuli that evoke a connection to natural environments.
Even a stunning computer generated waterfall is satisfying to watch after exposing too much screen time when you're at the office.
Exposed Elevators Inside Buildings
Exposed elevators within buildings offer a unique architectural element, integrating natural motion with the functional aspect of transportation. By providing transparency and connectivity between floors, these elevators stimulate the senses and promote user engagement with the built environment. The overall eleavator journey view might be brief but welcome distraction.
Their presence leverages naturally occurring stimuli, such as programmable lighting animations, to create a visually stimulating experience with shortened focal depth, inviting occupants to interact with their surroundings and fostering mental respite in the bustling urban environment.
Dichroic Glass
Dichroic glass, with its ability to reflect and transmit multiple colors depending on viewing angles, creates an ever-changing visual experience reminiscent of natural phenomena like the play of light on water or through foliage. Its incorporation into design elements adds vibrancy and intrigue, stimulating the senses and evoking a connection to the outdoors within indoor spaces.
Dichroic glass can increase sensory stimuli if a glass wall is not convenient in a rural environments.
Indoor Plants Integration
Incorporating indoor plants into the design not only enhances aesthetics but also positively impacts air quality, decreases blood pressure and mental well-being within an open plan office environment. These green companions contribute to a biophilic environment, reducing stress and facilitating creative thought processes among occupants. By bringing elements of nature indoors, they counteract the visually monotonous effects of digital technology, promoting user well-being and providing whimsical movements that rejuvenate the space.
Glass Walls for Outdoor Connectivity
Integrating glass walls blurs the boundary between indoor and outdoor spaces, providing an opportunity for occupants to regain correct focus and alleviate physical discomfort in an open plan office environment. By offering unobstructed views of the rural environment and unexpected stimuli, these installations facilitate creative thought and enhance user well-being. Furthermore, the presence of glass walls supports biophilic design considerations, inviting visitors to experience whimsical movements of kinetic sculptures while promoting connectivity with nature.
How Does Natural Rhythm Affect Our Health?
After explaining what non rhythmic sensory stimuli stands for, alongside how to implant it in our indoor environment, let’s explain why you should even consider this kind of interior design.
Natural sounds and motions are important for our health because a part of our perception picks up the rhythm of our environment. That’s why the natural rhythm has been shown to improve our heart rate, improve blood pressure too, and have a positive effect on the sympathetic nervous system. Also, natural, such stimuli and sounds help us feel more calm, happy and relaxed.
Even if you can’t see the difference, your subconscious can. It is because of one very interesting phenomenon known cognitive neuroscience as the peripheral field of vision, which is linked to sympathetic nervous system activity.
Where are the Peripheral Zones of our Field of Vision?
If our computer is in front of us, that means that it is in the centre of our field of vision, everything that is set on the left and right is in the peripheral zones of our field of peripheral vision.
The important thing thatNRS in the design stand for is putting all correct focus on the plants and sources of natural sound in these zones. By doing this you make sure that your subconscious will “pick up” all the good vibes natural rhythm is creating in surrounding environment.
So, if you want to implement some of subtle benefits of the natural rhythm factors in your working or living space, you should follow these tips in order to feel the health benefits.
Where Should you Implement Non Rhythmic Sensory Stimuli?
To answer this question ask yourself what place makes you feel stressed or tired? If it is your home - implement some of these stimuli there. Unexpected sensory stimuli, such as rhythmic and moving artwork, can create a calming and safe environment. However if it is a workplace, then you should consider some changes there.
Not only does non rhythmic stimuli bring you better health conditions, but it also makes you more productive and energetic by incorporating objects or materials in consistent yet unpredictable motion. Additionally, visual stimuli can prevent low-level physiological stresses by periodically adjusting short visual focus focal lengths. So, a great idea is to follow these rules in creating space for work out too.
This text should help you to understand better environmental psychology and the health benefits of natural rhythm, and to start to think about our subconscious, that always strives to be perfectly aligned with nature. When the same sound is repeated in a static environment, non-rhythmic sensory stimuli can improve visual comfort and productivity, and even help in healthcare settings to relax and distract individuals.
Acoustic comfort and its importance for wellness — biofilico wellness interiors
Acoustic comfort and acoustic discomfort are increasingly important topics among architects and interior designers due to their roles in boosting productivity and reducing low levels of anxiety for regular users of an indoor environment, be it an office or home.
Why is it so important?
Well, for the beginning of our written journey to acknowledge acoustic as one of the most important factors to relieve pain such as headache, lack of concentration or annoyance - let’s focus on how acoustic comfort in buildings has been finally linked to humans, and not just the mere isolation process. Exposure to excessive noise can lead to physical and mental health problems such as fatigue, headaches, cardiovascular disease, irritability, anxiety, and stress.
The acoustic was analyzed as a physical factor of the space, such as lighting and temperature.
Acoustics is not only there to offer performative products in terms of sound absorbency, but it’s also there as a tool to study the space, the environment, and finally the habits of people, all in order to provide and guarantee the best indoor comfort - acoustic comfort and wellness!
How to improve our acoustic comfort
Investing in an indoor acoustic comfort concept, we put the wholesome wellbeing and occupant comfort in the focus! By addressing the absolute necessity of the inclusion of acoustic wellness among the priorities of each building project, we can create interesting acoustic themes and build new solutions for the future indoor scenery. Emphasizing occupant comfort is crucial for physical and mental wellbeing, as it impacts noise levels, sound insulation, and sound absorption.
If we are cold - we recognize it by putting a sweater on. if the sun is too strong - we will immediately wear sunglasses, but - what can we do to improve our acoustic comfort?
Sound absorption products
The innovation the studies based on the importance of acoustic comfort for wellness have been recognized in architecture, building and design, with a large choice of different solutions to win the acoustic comfort challenge and make any project, and any place made for human inhabitation, more acoustically healthy and suiting. Sound masking, also known as 'white' or 'pink noise', is used to raise ambient background noise levels within various institutions to improve acoustics, aid concentration, and increase speech privacy levels.
With a wide range of sound absorbers, such as acoustic ceiling tiles, carpeting, furniture finishes, and curtains, designed to meet the different needs of various spaces: from offices to restaurants, meeting rooms to hospitals, libraries to airports, and create a space that is friendly, pleasant, open and fluid.
Technical details - colours, shapes and 3D visualisation
Shapes and colours of carpets, floorings or decorative elements also have enhanced acoustic comfort implications. Factors such as structure-borne and airborne noise, sound pressure levels, frequency of the noise, and noise sources all contribute to the acoustical conditions that influence acoustic comfort. Different noise sources with the same physical characteristics can be perceived differently by individuals, making it crucial to consider their specific effects and frequencies on acoustic comfort. Taking the soundscape approach through 3D visualisation to a study acoustic comfort for wellness can identify spaces that need most of the acoustic interventions and improvements.
Made in different colours, finishing and shapes, all the products made to fit into the high acoustic performance are usually installed to reduce volume.
The use of ecological materials to reduce noise pollution
Besides this strong attention to technical details, acoustic wellness philosophy is also about the use of ecological, sustainable, renewable, green materials. Traffic noise significantly impacts acoustic comfort in various spaces, including workplaces and residential buildings.
That’s an important point in the development of new products and projects for the future of the niche such as sustainable interior design. Additionally, optimizing for acoustic comfort often goes hand in hand with improving indoor air quality, ensuring a holistic approach to building design that enhances overall occupant satisfaction.
Tools and materials for sound control to improve acoustic comfort
The right materials already exist, now it is only time to put them in good use and make a completely new culture. These materials also have heat-insulating properties that make them more environmentally friendly
They come in different shapes like panels, rolls, nets, paddings or slabs, with the possibility to be built in or multilayered in any structures such as underfloors or partitions who divide walls.
The livability of acoustic performance determines the quality of life of everyone who uses that space. High standards in sound control are essential for achieving acoustic comfort. Strategies for reducing unwanted noises include using sound-absorbing materials, installing acoustic panels, and implementing noise barriers. The time has come to stop correcting acoustic comfort in buildings “a posteriori”, and cure the damage upon being made, and become acquainted with the process of prevention.
Eco walls
Eco walls can create a colourful and light acoustic barrier for the walls and ceiling, maintaining the concept of freedom in any space, but adding some special feeling of wellness. Poor acoustics in workplace environments can lead to distractions, stress, and interference with team interaction and normal work routines.
They fit harmoniously into spaces of multiple functions, such as offices, homes, hospitals or restaurants, gyms or wherever you need the acoustic comfort. Eco walls help manage background noise levels, improving acoustics and aiding concentration.
Eco walls combine curved surfaces and they have a characteristic style, with the density and porosity of some of the stone materials, with sound-absorbent qualities thus contributing to improving acoustic wellness better than traditional stone panels
These walls allow mixing insulation and the absorption of sound waves which makes them naturally fit for acoustic comfort and wellness.
Panels for enhanced acoustic performance
Panels made of natural and eco-friendly materials are the perfect combination of innovation and flexibility, ecology and sound absorption, with the final goal to improve the acoustic comfort of the workplace and relax spaces by reducing airborne noise. Noise exposure can lead to sleep disturbance in residential spaces, significantly impacting residents' health and well-being.
In need of open space?
Eco-friendly panels become an elegant, modular system, which allows the creation of workstations and separators. The 3D-looking arrangement is pleasant and guarantees high acoustic performance.
If hung from the ceiling, these panels create a nice layout, able to exploit the acoustic performance and modify the refraction of sound waves.
Spaces that have been engineered and designed with the proper acoustics can make a huge difference in people’s daily lives and improve their health and wellness.
Acoustic is something that shouldn’t be ignored!
A bedroom where the noise generated from traffic is cancelled, for example, promotes a night of better sleep and rest. Productivity soars in offices where noise doesn’t interfere. It’s a fact that people escape the rigours of the outside world by spending more time inside, even while working or exercising.
Biofilico can provide a full range of solutions tailored to the unique needs of working spaces and the structural attributes of residences. Through thoughtful examination of a space and its occupants, we create a better health and wellness atmosphere in homes and prestigious commercial environments.
Deep sleep bedrooms - how to optimize your bedroom for better sleep?
Learn more about how to optimize your bedroom for better sleep with deep sleep bedrooms.
Sleep plays a crucial role in our health and wellbeing throughout life. It is essential to get enough quality sleep at nighttime. Our bodies must rest and recharge in order to keep operating at full capacity. And while many people are aware of this, our modern-day life routines usually prevent us from truly receiving all the health benefits of sleep.
Studies indicate that there are many factors that influence sleep quality and they can be both internal and external. Among these are our drinking and eating habits or the medications we take but the environment in which we sleep can also greatly influence the quantity and quality of our sleep.
However, there are many tips that you can easily apply in order to increase the quality of your sleep. They are related to the interior design of our bedroom, which can make a great difference in our lives. We have created a short guide for you which can help give your body and mind a well-deserved rest.
Sleep cycles - What happens when we sleep?
Many people think that there is not much going on in our bodies while we sleep, but that’s not quite true. Your brain is actually very active during sleep and it does some pretty important things. Brain, heart, and lungs could not function properly without enough quality sleep and benefits to metabolism, immune function and mood have also been proven.
There are five stages of sleep, progressing from stage 1 (light sleep) through stages 3 and 4 (deep sleep) to stage 5 known as rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Right after you fall asleep, your body begins to restore daytime mental functioning and carry out processes that lead to physical growth.
Research shows that a chronic lack of sleep, or getting poor quality sleep, increases the risk of disorders including high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, depression, and obesity.
The importance of deep sleep phase
Deep sleep is a stage that is associated with the slowest brain waves during sleep. In this phase, your heartbeat and breathing become their slowest as your muscles relax. That’s why it’s harder for a person to be awakened in this stage, even when exposed to loud stimulants. In contrary to the REM phase, the main characteristics of slow-wave sleep are absent or slow eye movement.
During this phase, your body is repairing all the muscles and tissues, restoring itself from its daily activeness and building up the energy for the next day. That being said, it’s clear why the quality and length of your deep sleep phase can significantly affect your quality of life.
Do you remember feeling particularly weak after waking up? If so, it probably means that you woke up during the slow-wave sleep. Most of the sleeping disorders are associated with this stage of sleep as well. Sleepwalking is an example of parasomnia that originates during deep sleep and results in walking or performing other complex behaviors while asleep.
Adjust your room for better sleep
Environmental changes could really make all the difference for your sleep cycle. If you feel like you are often sleep-deprived, we’ve put together a list of small things and adjustments you can make in order to feel more refreshed in the morning and increase the overall quality of life.
Keep your bedroom dark
Your body is programmed to sleep when it's dark, so this step is crucial in order to make your bedroom more sleep-friendly. When light is detected, it delays melatonin release, produces cortisol and keeps your body temperature raised, thus keeping you awake.
Heavy use of electrical devices such as TVs, mobile phones and tablets can also negatively affect the quality of your sleep. Being exposed to the light that our devices emit usually causes wakefulness, disrupting the natural pattern of the sleep-wake cycle. That’s why it might be a good idea to keep them outside your bedroom or make sure they are switched off before heading to bed.
If it’s necessary to have some electrical devices that emit light in your bedroom, consider covering them up at night time and blocking the source of light. If the source of light is located outside, a good solution to block them out are blackout window shades. They have proven to be pretty effective in keeping the room dark and optimal for a healthy rest.
A bedroom should have both portable and installed lighting in order to provide illumination for tasks like dressing and reading, but it might be worth it installing a motion-activated night light that will only trigger an LED light when movement is detected and not disturb your sleep otherwise.
Invest in your mattress and pillows
Humans spend about a third of their lives sleeping, so it is essential to find the right mattress and pillows for our bedrooms. A mattress that provides your body with good support and ensures that your spine is in proper alignment will create a healthy space for you to sleep.
Keep in mind that there isn’t a mattress that will be suitable for every single person. It’s important to choose a mattress that will meet your personal criteria. Picking the right material is something you should pay attention to while choosing your new bedding. Mattress made with organic materials doesn’t release any harmful gases and can be a good choice.
There are other factors you should consider here like your sleeping position, for instance. If you often find yourself waking up tired or feeling back pain, it might be the right time for you to change your mattress. All mattresses will eventually decline in their support, so you should think about replacing them every eight to ten years.
Pillows are equally important when it comes to good healthy sleep. A good sleeping posture is a key to sleeping well, night after night, and waking up without feeling tired or sore. In order to determine the best pillow for you, consider the shape of your spine as well as the position you sleep in for most of the night.
Bring organic materials into your bedroom
The natural and organic appeal of elements make us feel calm and relaxed, therefore they make a great contribution to our bedroom - rooms designed for rest. It has been proven that making our bedrooms more eco-friendly by using sustainable materials and elements will have many benefits to our wellbeing.
Products made of natural materials provide a healthy sleeping environment and generally guarantee more comfort and relaxation, compared to synthetic products. They include materials like cotton, natural latex, new wool or wild silk. Other than making your bedroom more comfortable and cozy, you will also be preserving our environment.
Using these materials in your bedroom also means that you won’t be exposed to any dangerous chemicals that synthetic materials often contain. In addition, these materials allow for better air circulation and provide excellent heat and moisture regulation. Air quality is another important aspect that often gets overlooked when it comes to interior design.
Reward your body and mind with quality sleep
Getting enough sleep is important for people of all ages to function properly and stay in good health. In the modern-day world with our busy routines, sleep is being seriously attacked. Creating a healthier sleep routine will not only improve health but also your mood or work productivity.
The long-term effects of sleep deprivation are real, and it’s high time for us all to take them seriously. These small tips we’ve listed here can truly make a big difference in your life, especially when deciding to introduce biophilic design into your bedroom. Stay consistent in following them, and you will be amazed by the results.
Aromatherapy as part of a biophilic natural lifestyle
Aromatherapy as part of a biophilic natural lifestyle and a workplace wellness biohack.
Aromatherapy is a common medicinal technique that deploys aromatic plant oils, including essential oils, either inhaled or applied to the skin through massage, to positively influence our mood, mindset, pain sensitivity and sleep.
Sadly, it has become all too easy to label something, be it a diffuser, soap or shower gel, as ‘relaxing’, ‘energizing’ or ‘refreshing’; such adjectives are so loosely thrown around nowadays that they have become near vacuous terms.
biophilic bio-hacking
The inquisitive bio-hacker intent on living a more Biophilic lifestyle that brings them closer to nature can and should demand more from the products he or she purchases, and aromatherapy still has a role to play in that process.
Ancient Chinese, Indian, Roman and Greek populations all appear to have made ready use of essential oils, both in religious or ritual practices and more practical applications such as cosmetics and perfumes.
More recently, scientific studies have provided considerable evidence to back up aromatherapy’s claims to aid with reducing anxiety, improving sleep and enhancing cognitive performance; here we will address each in turn.
essential oils and anxiety reduction
One study focused on women undergoing an image-guided breast biopsy, exploring the use of aromatherapy scents compared to a placebo in a randomized, controlled study.
Anxiety was self-reported before and after the biopsy by 87 women using the Spielberger State Anxiety Inventory Scale. A statistically significant reduction in anxiety was shown through the use of lavender-sandalwood aromatherapy compared with the placebo group.
aromatherapy for improved sleep
A meta-analysis of 12 studies using a random-effects model revealed that the use of aromatherapy was effective in improving sleep quality in 95% of cases with inhalation proving more effective as an application than massage therapy.
The study concluded that readily available aromatherapy treatments do indeed appear to be effective and promote sleep. More research may need to be done to develop specific guidelines for how to use aromatherapy to achieve the desired effect.
a natural solution to enhanced mental performance
A sample of 42 administrative university workers performed a computer task in a university classroom while assigned into an aromatherapy group and a control group. Oil diffusers were is use during the session, one with petitgrain essential oil (orange tree leaf extract) and one with almost oil as the control.
Before and after the intervention, participants completed anxiety and mood state questionnaires (the Stait-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Profile of Mood States). Heart-rate variability (HRV) was also measured before, during (20-25 min), and after the intervention to analyze autonomic nervous system regulation.
The aromatherapy group performed the task 2.28 min faster than the control group suggesting that inhaling petitgrain essential oil specifically and aromatherapy more generally can help to improve cognitive performance in the workplace by reducing stress levels and increasing attentiveness and alertness.
if you would like to know how we can help you create a biophilic gym, wellness space or design a more natural lifestyle, simply contact using the email icon below.
Smart circadian lighting
How to improve the quality of light for wellness and health benefits using biophilic design and healthy design principles.
smart circadian rhythm lighting
The potential benefits of circadian lighting are vast, which is why this type of lighting is now explored in various real estate and interior design sectors around the world. Circadian rhythm lighting systems are strategically designed to positively affect our health, alertness and productivity, which is why this particular concept is getting much deserved attention lately. Read on to find out more..
What is circadian lighting?
Circadian lighting is an innovative new trend within the world of biophilic design and its near cousin, healthy design, especially in the home and workplace where we now spend the vast majority of our lives.
So what is it all about and how is smart technology helping us live urban lives that are more closely aligned with our evolutionary past?
A circadian lighting system is created in way that follows the human so called circadian rhythm - something like a 24-hour internal clock.
It is controlled by hypothalamus that works by receiving signals from the eyes that report when it’s day or nighttime. In turn, hypothalamus can control the amount of melatonin released to correlate sleepiness with darkness and alertness with light.
Circadian rhythm
The body’s circadian rhythm is essentially our 24-hr body clock; we’re not the only ones to have one either - plants, animals and even funghi share their own version too. It’s literally a part of our DNA, evolving over millions of years as a way of connecting us to the daily ebb and flow of sun and moon.
Certain research has shown that light affects both our visual and non-visual systems, while artificial lighting can well impact our circadian rhythm.
While each one of us is different, with some experiencing sleepy mornings and others hitting a wall of drowsiness in the afternoon for example, standard hours of activity and rest for the vast majority of people are fairly regulated.
However, circadian lighting is the concept that artificial lighting can be used to support human health by minimizing the effect of electric light on human circadian rhythm.
How? Well, scientists have discovered that a long-term exposure to certain wavelengths of blue light, at specific intensity, can have a negative impact on circadian rhythm.
circadian light therapy for increased productivity
Circadian rhythm and light are closely connected, meaning this natural flow in each 24hr cycle also influences our day-to-day productivity.
Mental productivity during the hours of work is therefore crucial, as is, conversely, ensuring a solid night’s sleep.
Twenty-first century urban lives full of technology and an always on culture however can mean that, if we are not careful, we can all too easily expose ourselves to disrupting factors, especially as the body does not distinguish between natural and artificial light.
This is where a circadian lamp, or a circadian lighting system comes in. By implementing a circadian lighting design into your working space, you can increase productivity at your office. Since circadian lighting is imitating natural lighting, employees who are exposed more to it have a better recollection of memories and mental function.
Wellness lighting & circadian rhythm light therapy
Enter circadian or wellness lighting is specifically designed to reflect nature’s daily light cycle, prompting periods of mental alertness in the morning and afternoon with light from the blue-white end of the spectrum, before slowly fading into amber hues in the evenings and again in the early mornings.
In practical terms this means you wake up to a soft, gentle light of white-amber, spend your days working in energising white-blue light and relax before bed in the evenings in amber light. Avoiding sources of blue-white light an hour before going to sleep is also recommended, meaning no TV, smartphone or other screen activity!
Circadian rhythm lighting is also great for the purpose of therapy - allowing you to reset your mind and body, and have a better night sleep. When used like a treatment, circadian rhythm lighting can really improve mood and boost your energy levels throughout the day.
Smart circadian rhythm lighting systems
A number of smart circadian rhythm light systems are now readily available in the market making this technology accessible to the general public.
Our favourite is the Philips HUE that involves one ‘bridge’ box between your wifi router and the lightbulbs in your home (up to 50), plus a simple remote control and an app. We used this set-up in our Biofit nature gyms in Calgary and Stockholm, to great effect.
The two main benefits of introducing this kind of light therapy for circadian rhythm are improved mental focus by day and sleep quality at night.
For more information on how we can help you integrate this type of healthy design solution into your office or home, contact us via the Contact page.