We Are Nature: Embracing Our Innate Connection for Wellbeing

As the world moves faster, becoming more urbanised and digitised, we often find ourselves disconnected from something vital — our connection to nature. It’s easy to forget, in our daily routines and concrete landscapes, that we are not separate from nature. We are nature.

This realisation forms the core of biophilic design — the principle that reconnecting with nature through the spaces we inhabit can significantly enhance our mental and physical wellbeing. But this isn’t just about bringing plants indoors or adding more greenery to the cityscape. It’s about something deeper, something primal: acknowledging that the rhythms of nature are embedded in us, and when we design spaces to reflect those rhythms, we create environments that are not just aesthetically pleasing but profoundly nourishing.

The Biological Urge to Connect with Nature

Have you ever felt a sense of calm wash over you while sitting under a tree, walking through a park, or even just gazing at the sky? That’s not a coincidence. Biophilia, a term thought to have been coined by the renowned psychologist Erich Fromm, but it was popualrised by biologist Edward O. Wilson, refers to our inherent affinity for nature. For thousands of years, humans evolved in natural environments, attuning to the cycles of daylight, seasons, and the landscapes around us.

Today, however, we spend more than 90% of our time indoors — in spaces that are often devoid of these natural elements. The rise of mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and burnout reflects this disconnection. While we’ve grown accustomed to living in artificial environments, our bodies and minds still crave nature.

Spaces That Heal

Imagine walking into an office that feels more like a forest clearing than a cubicle maze. Or stepping into a healthcare facility where light filters gently through natural materials, and the air is filled with the subtle scent of wood. These aren’t just pleasant spaces — they are restorative.

Research shows that exposure to nature, even in small doses, has measurable benefits: reduced stress levels, improved cognitive function, and enhanced mood. In healthcare, for example, studies have found that patients with views of nature recover faster and require less pain medication. In workplaces, biophilic environments have been shown to increase productivity, creativity, and job satisfaction.

In education, nature-connected spaces promote better learning outcomes. When students are exposed to natural light, fresh air, and outdoor environments, their focus and engagement improve. Holding lessons outdoors has even been shown to increase retention and creativity.

Reimagining Meetings and Education Outdoors

A growing trend that highlights our connection to nature is the movement toward outdoor meetings and education sessions. Traditionally confined to stuffy boardrooms and classrooms, meetings and learning are being taken outside, and the benefits are significant.

Outdoor meetings not only provide a change of scenery but foster creativity, reduce stress, and stimulate better ideas. In fact, walking meetings have been linked to enhanced problem-solving and collaboration. Whether it's a small team huddle under a tree or a strategic planning session in a park, outdoor settings can refresh minds, allowing new perspectives to flow.

Similarly, outdoor education is gaining traction for its ability to enhance learning. Imagine students gathering in a garden to explore biology firsthand, or professionals attending a workshop while surrounded by natural elements that reinforce the learning experience. Studies show that time spent outdoors increases cognitive function and mental clarity, leading to improved outcomes for both students and educators. Outdoor classrooms foster creativity, curiosity, and engagement, helping participants reconnect with their surroundings in a meaningful way.

Incorporating outdoor spaces into work and education isn’t just a trend — it’s a return to a more natural, balanced way of engaging with the world.

Reconnecting for Our Wellbeing

So how do we, as individuals, reconnect with nature, especially in urban environments? Here are some small steps that can make a big difference:

1. Bring Nature Indoors: Whether it’s through plants, natural materials, or simply opening a window to let in fresh air, surround yourself with natural elements.

2. Engage the Senses: Nature isn’t just about what we see. Incorporate natural sounds, textures, and scents into your space. The sound of water, the feel of wood, or the scent of essential oils can transform a sterile environment into a nurturing one.

3. Seek Out Green Spaces: Take regular breaks to walk outside, find a park, or sit under a tree. These micro-breaks in nature can reduce stress and restore focus.

4. Move Meetings and Education Outside: Whether it’s a casual team catch-up or a formal learning session, take advantage of outdoor spaces to encourage creativity, focus, and mental clarity.

5. Support Nature-Connected Design: Advocate for biophilic principles in the places you work, live, and learn. We all benefit when our environments support our innate need for nature.

We Are Nature

The truth is, we never lost our connection to nature — we just need to remember it. By designing with this principle in mind and by embracing outdoor spaces for meetings and education, we create environments that don’t just accommodate us but uplift us.

At the end of the day, we are not separate from the world around us. We are nature. And by honouring that, we can design spaces that heal, inspire, and restore the very essence of what it means to be human.