Are you biophilic? The short answer is YES!
Biophilia: a natural affinity to plants, animals, water – basically all things living and green. But it's actually more than an affinity, research shows that all humans actually benefit from and have an instinctual need for those things. You may be skeptical, so consider the following questions:
Do you have a plant of any kind in your house/yard/office space?
That's the first sign that you are biophlic! Even in the middle of a city, people find ways to include things that are alive and green in their living space.
Do plants and flowers give you warm fuzzy feelings?
According to research done by Rutgers University, flowers actually improve emotional health. Studies show that people who have fresh cut flowers in the home have greater feelings of happiness and satisfaction. After receiving flowers, participants in long-term studies said they felt less anxious, agitated and depressed. There might be something to that fuzzy feeling!
Do you feel smarter when a plant is nearby?
That might sound silly, and you might not think it has any effect on you, but according to research done by Texas A&M University, nature can actually make businesses more successful. Work environments with flowers and plants have proven to have increased creativity, new ideas, and problem solving skills in their workers.
Imagine a city with no trees, flowers, or anything green for that matter. How does that make you feel?
Most people find that thought depressing. For that reason, there is a whole field called “Biophilic Design” dedicated to creating spaces that connect people and nature, and thereby making healthier, more productive people.
The vision of Biophilic Design is “hospitals where patients heal faster, schools where children’s test scores are higher, offices where workers are more productive, and communities where people know more of their neighbors and families thrive. Biophilic Design points the way toward creating healthy and productive habitats for modern humans.”*
This is why we are excited about what we do here at Hana Tropicals! To send something green and colorful and share the fuzzy feelings, click here!
FAQs
: a hypothetical human tendency to interact or be closely associated with other forms of life in nature : a desire or tendency to commune with nature. Biophilia is the term coined by the Harvard naturalist Dr. Edward O.
How do you use biophilic in a sentence? ›
She was filled with an easy love for non-human life - biophilia, as we call it these days. The biophilia hypothesis suggests humans have an innate tendency to seek connections with nature and other forms of life.
What is biophilic design in simple words? ›
Biophilic design is an approach to architecture that seeks to connect building occupants more closely to nature. Biophilic designed buildings incorporate things like natural lighting and ventilation, natural landscape features and other elements for creating a more productive and healthy built environment for people.
What is an example of biophilia? ›
The Barbican Centre is one of the earliest and most famous examples of biophilic architecture. Opened in the 1980s as an estate in London, it's renowned for its striking, brutalist design. The bleak style of the Barbican is juxtaposed with the use of natural and artificial lakes and extensive wildlife.
What is a biophilia attitude? ›
Humans have always been drawn to, dependent on, and fascinated by the natural world. Biophilia, which literally translates to “love of life,” is the idea that this fascination and communion with nature stem from an innate, biologically-driven need to interact with other forms of life such as animals and plants.
What is biophilic living? ›
Biophilic Living is the love of living things, which is what makes us human. It's about happiness, community and positive mental health, as much as it is about sustainability and the environment.
Does biophilia mean love of life? ›
The word biophilia originates from the Greek, 'philia' meaning 'love of'. It literally means a love of life or living things. Humans have a deeply engrained love of nature which is an intuitive and natural drive imprinted into our DNA.
What do you call a person who loves nature? ›
A naturalist is a person who loves nature. Someone who thinks highly of nature and everything that it includes. There is no clear definition for it out there. One reason for this is that it isn't used that frequently.
What is another word for biophilic? ›
nature affinity. environmental empathy. green bond. love for the natural world. nature attachment.
What are biophilic principles? ›
Biophilia is the inherent human inclination to affiliate with nature that even in the modern world. continues to be critical to people's physical and mental health and wellbeing (Wilson 1986, Kellert and Wilson 1993, Kellert 1997, 2012).
Wilson defined biophilia as “the innate tendency to focus on life and lifelike processes”, claiming a link with nature is not only physiological (as Fromm suggested) but has a genetic basis.
What does biophilic mean dictionary? ›
bio·phil·ic ˌbī-ō-ˈfi-lik. : of, relating to, or characterized by biophilia : relating to, showing, or being the human tendency to interact or be closely associated with other forms of life in nature.
Are humans biophilia? ›
The human relationship with nature
Anecdotal and qualitative evidence suggests that humans are innately attracted to nature. For example, the appearance of the natural world, with its rich diversity of shapes, colours, and life, is universally appreciated. This appreciation is often invoked as evidence of biophilia.
What is the difference between biophilia and biophilic? ›
Biophilia has to do with the instinctive bond humans feel with nature and other living systems, i.e. human tendencies. Therefore, biophilic design focuses on the elements of the natural world that, over evolutionary time, have contributed to our health and wellbeing.
How do you use biophilia? ›
One way to incorporate biophilic interior design into your home is by using natural materials. Natural materials like wood, stone, and marble add texture and warmth to a space, while also providing a sense of natural elements that can be found in the outdoors.
What is biophilic instinct? ›
Biophilia is more than a preference, it's an instinct
It is humans' instinctual tendency to seek connections with nature that we evolved with. This is the concept of 'environment of evolutionary adaptedness'. The environment of our ancestral past has shaped the human-animal that we are today.
What is biophilic principles? ›
Biophilia is the inherent human inclination to affiliate with nature that even in the modern world. continues to be critical to people's physical and mental health and wellbeing (Wilson 1986, Kellert and Wilson 1993, Kellert 1997, 2012).
What do you call someone who loves nature? ›
A naturalist is a person who loves nature. Someone who thinks highly of nature and everything that it includes. There is no clear definition for it out there. One reason for this is that it isn't used that frequently.
