The WELLGlossary #33

Wellophilia as in wellness biophilia -

The Biophilia hypothesis suggests that humans possess an innate tendency to seek connections with?nature?and other forms of?life. The term?biophilia?was used by German-born American psychoanalyst?Erich Fromm?in?The Anatomy of Human Destructiveness?(1973), which described biophilia as “the passionate love of life and of all that is alive.” The terminology refers to the love of life or love of living things. The biologist and naturalist Edward?Wilson (1984) defined ‘biophilia’ as “the innate tendency to focus on life and lifelike processes”’.?The concept assumes that humans depend on nature. The social ecologist Stephen?Kellert (1993)? associated nine values of biophilia: ‘utilitarian, naturalistic, scientific, aesthetic, symbolic, humanistic, moralistic, dominionistic, and negativistic’.

Since the 1990s, the biophilia theory has shifted from its initial focus on life or living organisms to exploring the relationship between humans and the natural environment. One of the most contemporary translations of biophilia refers to design and architecture. Biophilic design as a concept is assumed to provide design guidance to satisfy this longing for ‘nature’ in architecture?. The nature connectedness of biophilic design presents several benefits in the living, working, learning, entertainment, and medical environments. At the same time biophilic architecture is considered to contribute to some of the sustainability goals by overcoming the lack of contact with nature and effectively managing natural resources.

Kellert’s values of biophilia are translated to city environments as well. It is assumed that biophilic urban spaces provide dwellers with the following benefits:

·?????? Enhanced recovery from illness and surgery

·?????? A reduction in health and social problems

·?????? Improved performance and motivation and reduced stress among workers

·?????? Improved cognitive functioning

·?????? Healthier development and maturation in children

·?????? Superior quality of life and a stronger sense of place in communities

Considering how relevant biophilia as a concept all through the various phases of human development it is quite sobering to come to terms with such indications such as Nature Deficit Disorder, etc. Obviously, we cannot even consider biophilia if someone had not had enough contact with nature. In one of our recent articles we recently explored the ways in which guests can be taken out to nature, or alternatively nature may be brought indoor in wellness and spa settings.

It may not be a far-fetched assumption that wellness and for the matter wellbeing and happiness as concepts as well should have direct links with biophilia. Loving of life and therefore love and taking care of self and nature. Wellophilia as a term and concept, therefore, should be seen a fundamental concept to every human. Wellophilia suggests that wellness can or more like should be based on natural resources and nature itself. There is a long list of natural resources and propositions that build heavily on nature. Hot or thermal springs, muds, healing landscapes and gardens, microclimates and natural gases and minerals all (see more here). In the case of Traditional Chinese and Korean Medicine, Thai Traditional Medicine it is all about using what nature can offer for prevention and cure. Many holistic and indigenous practices use the energy of nature, plants and herbs for rebalancing and stress release, and more.

It is worth noting the concept of Regenerative economy may also be linked to biophilia. Regeneration as a principle applies both the natural and social attributes of the host community.

Wellophilia is not new, but it is vey much needed again. Stressing the importance of nature in everybody’s life and the appreciation of nature is critical (re SDG 17). The wellness, spa, lifestyle, recreation, leisure and fitness arenas can all do way more to re-establish the wellophilia concept.

One great contribution can be seen in the objectives of Sustainable Wellness Group. Members join efforts to establish and implement a sustainable business model, so that they can “educate and learn from one another, reduce our carbon footprints, and promote environmental, social and economical sustainable practices in the industry”.

Do not think that wellophilia is just one of those new composite words. Wellophilia is re-stressing the importance of nature in our lives.

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