The Impact of Biophilia on One’s Mental and Physical Health: The Urban Work Out Space: An Examination of Terra Hale, London
German social psychologist Erich Fromm coined the term biophilia as a way to understand the connection people have between their existence and the world around them (Brasil, 2021). Instead of seeing ourselves as separate from nature, the concept of biophilia encourages us to understand that we are part of nature and, due to this fact, we desire to connect with nature and life in general (Baker, 2021; Vidovich, 2020). The premise upon which biophilia is based is that humans have become disconnected or alienated from their true nature, which is that they are, in fact, a part of nature. For most of human existence, individuals were intimately connected to the earth and their surroundings as they “existed with the outdoor natural environment” (Gladwell, Brown, and Wood, 2013). It is necessary to understand that both evolutionarily and culturally, human development took place primarily in a non-urban setting. The ‘connection’ has played a dominant role in human evolutionary history, and, as the organization Biofit put it, our “DNA is geared” for “a positive symbiotic relationship with nature” (Biofit, 2022). Biophilic environments create a more humanized space where friendships and support networks can be created and sustained, promoting social health (Vidovich, 2020). Of the four themes explored in this dissertation—the fitness journey, design, light, and mood—all suffer when humans are alienated from the environment in which they developed physically and cognitively.
Compared to typical or non-green exercise, green exercise offers heightened feelings of self-confidence, purpose, mental energy, vitality, positive engagement, and revitalization while simultaneously decreasing depression, anger, anxiety, and tension. There is also evidence that exercise is perceived as “less demanding” when carried out around nature as a result of enhanced internal mood, and the natural stimuli such as the sound of birds or the sight of leaves “act as a distractive stimulus, reducing the perception of exertion” (Gladwell, Brown, Wood, 2013, p. 3).
For instance, Paimio Sanatorium in Finland caters to the “psychological well-being of the patient” through architecture and its use of light. This location has experimental rooms where they play with the colors, sounds, scents, air ventilation and light. Evidence shows that sunlight exposure was used for natural therapy and played a role in recovery. “Light should be beyond the angle of vision of the patient,” therefore, artificial light is somewhat restricting (Eylers, 2017). These same principles for the effective use of light can be implemented in gyms and workout centers. Thus, while many people will not have the opportunity to exercise outdoors, they will be able to experience some of the benefits of green exercise.
One of the reasons I investigated the Terra Hale facilities was to assess whether one could approach working out there with biophilic principles in mind. Taking a biophilic outlook on one’s fitness journey includes both the tangible and intangible. For instance, where one works out, whether a gym or outside, is tangible. However, one’s mood constitutes a more intangible aspect of one’s overall well-being and fitness.
German social psychologist Erich Fromm coined the term biophilia as a way to understand the connection people have between their existence and the world around them (Brasil, 2021). Instead of seeing ourselves as separate from nature, the concept of biophilia encourages us to understand that we are part of nature and, due to this fact, we desire to connect with nature and life in general (Baker, 2021; Vidovich, 2020). The premise upon which biophilia is based is that humans have become disconnected or alienated from their true nature, which is that they are, in fact, a part of nature. For most of human existence, individuals were intimately connected to the earth and their surroundings as they “existed with the outdoor natural environment” (Gladwell, Brown, and Wood, 2013). It is necessary to understand that both evolutionarily and culturally, human development took place primarily in a non-urban setting. The ‘connection’ has played a dominant role in human evolutionary history, and, as the organization Biofit put it, our “DNA is geared” for “a positive symbiotic relationship with nature” (Biofit, 2022). Biophilic environments create a more humanized space where friendships and support networks can be created and sustained, promoting social health (Vidovich, 2020). Of the four themes explored in this dissertation—the fitness journey, design, light, and mood—all suffer when humans are alienated from the environment in which they developed physically and cognitively.
Compared to typical or non-green exercise, green exercise offers heightened feelings of self-confidence, purpose, mental energy, vitality, positive engagement, and revitalization while simultaneously decreasing depression, anger, anxiety, and tension. There is also evidence that exercise is perceived as “less demanding” when carried out around nature as a result of enhanced internal mood, and the natural stimuli such as the sound of birds or the sight of leaves “act as a distractive stimulus, reducing the perception of exertion” (Gladwell, Brown, Wood, 2013, p. 3).
For instance, Paimio Sanatorium in Finland caters to the “psychological well-being of the patient” through architecture and its use of light. This location has experimental rooms where they play with the colors, sounds, scents, air ventilation and light. Evidence shows that sunlight exposure was used for natural therapy and played a role in recovery. “Light should be beyond the angle of vision of the patient,” therefore, artificial light is somewhat restricting (Eylers, 2017). These same principles for the effective use of light can be implemented in gyms and workout centers. Thus, while many people will not have the opportunity to exercise outdoors, they will be able to experience some of the benefits of green exercise.
One of the reasons I investigated the Terra Hale facilities was to assess whether one could approach working out there with biophilic principles in mind. Taking a biophilic outlook on one’s fitness journey includes both the tangible and intangible. For instance, where one works out, whether a gym or outside, is tangible. However, one’s mood constitutes a more intangible aspect of one’s overall well-being and fitness.