The Roots of Our Connection to the Natural World 

In 1984, the Harvard biologist Edward O. Wilson wrote a book called Biophilia. As a biologist, Wilson theorized that our human attraction to the natural world was not merely coincidental, but instead was genetically predetermined through evolution. Wilson believed that our mutual love for flowers was not only because they were pretty and smelled nice. Instead, our human ancestors learned to associate flowers with the possibility that fruit might potentially soon be arriving on the branches of some wild bush.

This innate connection to the natural world is not only practical. It signals that, throughout human history, our existence depended on understanding the natural world and our place in it. Today, our modern-day, techno-industrial civilization has separated us from the roots of this innate connectedness that allowed our species to survive and flourish. Most people associate sources of food with grocery stores and restaurants, instead of with flowering, wild trees. 

This sense of disconnect and alienation from the natural world has brought with it several adverse mental and physical health issues. Many people today talk about a "nature deficit disorder" that is negatively affecting both children and adults. Medical professionals widely agree that spending time outdoors and in the natural world brings several health benefits. These include reducing attention deficit symptoms in children and improving our ability to cope with stress and adversity.

How to Incorporate Biophilic Design Into Your Home

Many families do not have regular access to parks or other wild and natural areas due to poor urban planning and the increasing scope of technology over our lives. Small, urban, grassed areas do not have the same benefit as the unspoiled wilderness that previous generations might have enjoyed as children.

Fortunately, the suggestions listed below for incorporating biophilic design can allow homeowners in virtually any setting to bring nature into their homes.