Living a healthy lifestyle is more than eating right, getting good sleep and exercise. True wellness comes from an inner calm and being able to manage stress. Our living environments are the means to which we experience true relaxation, positive family communications, focus and attention, whether we’re dealing with responsibilities of work at hand or leisure.
By focusing on design aspects such as color, texture, patterns, lighting, ergonomic attributes, natural elements bridging us with nature, or acoustics, our homes or work spaces, can offer inspiration and comfort while maintaining beautiful aesthetics. This is the key to health and wellness
Environmental Psychology Interior Design is just this. The theories and practices of using our created environments in a positive way through to promote health and wellness in a space. One that is both good for your state of mind, and health.
Studies have suggested positivity in our lives, for example, from simply witnessing a beautiful piece of art. Serotonin level arise from such experience, counteracting those moments of stress that reduce our energy. This is the principle behind Neuroaesthetics. Surrounding ourselves with pleasing objects is nothing new, but how we present the specifically in an uncluttered and pleasing manner can dictate our emotions.
Taking into account notions of art, natural materials and the 5 senses. Your home furnishings and interior decorations can create the peace of mind you’ve been longing for in your home.
Sensory Design is something that has been on the rise for a while. Pertaining to the study of each of the 5 senses: sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste, sensory design involves science relating the senses to one another, showcasing how to use use them best for engagement in meaningful ways.
Due to the rise and awareness of attention disorders, afflictions of ADHA and Autism, studies now suggest that we can increase concentration through reinforced environments. By damping the sensory inputs, we can boost focus and reduce distractions. For example, controlling sound within our open-concept living spaces. Or, touch – how some micro-fiber fabrics, for instance, may conjure uncomfortable feelings and irritability with some people. We don’t want that! We want environments that support inner calm, sustain functionality and appeal to our sense.
Incorporating Nature
Connecting to our environment in a positive way is crucial, but also including nature is for many people. Biophilic Design is recent term describing just this. “Green walls” or plantings can give way to boosting one’s mood, helping the mind and body relax after a long day.
Plants within in the home can improve your indoor air quality, filtering out harmful VOCs (volatile organic compounds). There are a variety of ways to incorporate nature into your home or space through thoughtful design and careful planning.
Incorporating Color
Let’s talk about color. We all have heard about how fast food and other industries use color within their marketing to promote sells. But did you know you can use the psychology of color in your home, too? Chromo-Therapy is the science of using light and color to connect with frequencies within the body. Einstein determined through E=mc2 that energy and mass are interchangeable. This means, when light travels, it carries with it certain vibrations. Have you ever gotten a headache from harsh florescent lighting? Or, felt anxious in a red room? Spa and retreats have known for years that the use of calming blues, or neutral tones, promote relaxation and tranquility. Color can be a defining role in your environment, influencing everything from action to sleep.
Incorporating Feng Shui
Then there is the 6th sense in design, or what most call Feng Shui. Feng Shui is the ancient practice of energy, space and placement. It’s the study of harnessing energy forces, known as “chi”, to establish harmony between occupants and their home. The words Feng Shui literally translate to wind water in English. Encompassing all the above theories of design principles and practices above, Feng Shui is the emphasis of constant energy flow. It dictates using chi, for both balance, and harmony, essentially creating positive physical and mental health, success, and stable relationships within occupant’s space.
When I mentioned practice, Feng Shui is precisely that. Each space and area is uniquely different. There is a list for the variety of “cures” regarding problem spots, or “sha chi”. But, our environments are constantly changing and morphing. Feng Shui doesn’t just start at the front door; it is a part of the landscape and its various paths.
Have you ever seen a lovely old building where its next door neighbor was demolished, a high rise built in its place? For this older building the light and sound are now altered drastically. The path leading to the entrance has been adjusted. This new high rise is affecting, not just the older building’s charm, but its Feng Shui. How do we now feel about that older building? Our opinions may have changed and now we must adapt to that change.
In short, we are our environments. We are what we eat, live and breathe. Why not have it be a happy, positive and healthy space? With just a bit of understanding, we can create beautiful, better homes, that not only promote our enjoyment, but also our health, well-being, concentration and productivity, allowing us to live in harmony and balance for many years to come.
