mental health & wellbeing in healthy buildings
The WELL Standard MIND concept
Urbanization and the shift away from nature towards a lifestyle dominated by the built environment has led to a plethora of human health issues, some obvious, others less so. Many of us now spend 90% of our time indoors, making the spaces around us of surprising relevance for mental wellness.
mental wellbeing in a healthy building
Strategies such as biophilic design, mental health programs, the encouragement of an active lifestyle and the provision of restorative spaces can all be used to increase mental wellbeing for building occupants.
In addition, it is helpful to have a designated mental health champion within a workspace, school, or other community to encourage building occupants to engage with mental health issues openly.
For our take on the specific components that make up a healthy building see our dedicated article here.
Biophilic Design for mental wellbeing in a healthy building
Biophilic design aims to connect people to nature through interior design, reinstating the increasingly distant relationship between us as human beings and the natural environment. Our ancestral affinity with nature ensures exposure to nature, even in indoor environments, provides a range of restorative mental health benefits.
The Attention Restoration Theory (ART) states that spending time in nature helps to reduce mental fatigue, increasing focus and restoring optimal cognitive function (Kaplan/Jimenez).
The Stress Reduction Theory (SRT), on the other hand, focuses on how our stress or anxiety levels can be lowered via immersion in a natural environment, whether ‘living’ or, implicitly, indoors thanks to biophilic design interiors that bring the outside world in (Ulrich/Jimenez).
Strategies such as introducing botanical motifs, organic materials, air-purifying plants, wabi-sabi finishes, living walls, Circadian lighting systems, biophilic sounds and forest aromatherapy are all possible examples of biophilic design for improved building occupant mental health.
nature, Greenery & green spaces for mental wellbeing
Plants are one of the most important biophilic design elements as they provide a plethora of health benefits. Air-purifying plants are especially relevant in this sense, as are rooftop gardens, moss art on walls, hanging Japanese kokedamas and so on.
Besides the obvious characteristic of natural beauty, such botanical greenery in interior spaces increases the human connection to nature as part of a healthy building experience, and also improves indoor air quality.
In addition, a visual connection to such indoor vegetation has been found to reduce stress and anxiety, and even increase healing rates for hospital patients in one often cited study (Bratman).
Also, memory and creativity are augmented with the implementation of green space, especially notable in children as these factors are important for brain development.
Overall, greenery increases our ability to concentrate and facilitates workers being able to find a quiet space for recharging during the work day.
Daylight for mental wellbeing in a healthy building
Daylight is an essential building block of health buildings and wellbeing interior design. In addition to reducing a building’s energy consumption, natural light has been found to improve mood, synchronize us with our circadian rhythms, and increase alertness and concentration (Determan).
Natural light can be used to align us with our circadian rhythms, also known as our natural 24-hour internal clock. When our bodies follow the natural daylight cycles of the day, our health is positively affected through improved sleep by night and cognitive function by day.
In addition, natural light increases the prevalence of the neurotransmitter serotonin, which improves mood (Kaltenegger ch 13). Due to these positive influences of daylight on our health, daylight has led to lower levels of absenteeism and lower dropout rates in schools, according to one study (Kellert).
Additional healthy building considerations such as the quality of any external views via external windows (out onto blue or green nature?) and whether the building’s windows are operable are important to factor in. Operable windows can provide the co-benefits of natural ventilation and the potential to increase thermal comfort, while nature views provide additional biophilic benefits, all proven to improve human wellness.
Mental Health Programs in workplace wellness
Mental health programming is an increasingly relevant workplace provision. To name a few, offerings such as mental health educational programs, stress management and support group programs, encouragement of healthy nutrition and fitness, and childcare support are all viable solutions.
Workplace wellness programs are good for employee health and for the business’s bottom line too - studies have shown that employees perform better when they are less stressed.
Mindfulness and stress management
Strategies such as mindfulness programs and stress management courses can reduce employee anxiety levels. Mindfulness workshops can be achieved through digital or in person means, for example using employer-designated digital applications, or through in person meetings and exercises.
Educational courses focused on stress management can support employees and encourage them to take breaks and reset as needed throughout the workday.
As with any benefits program, it is important that the resources are not only available but are being used by building occupants so the benefits can be reaped. Learning materials should be accessible 24/7 to help avoid any lingering stigmas around engaging in mental health issues.
a mental health champion in a healthy building plan
In addition, the designation of a mental health champion within the company can increase awareness and ultimately engagement. These mental wellness advocates can lead informal meetings, facilitate outside speakers and ensure that any mental health issues that emerge are directed to an appropriate expert - a mental wellbeing champion is not expected to be a psychologist, far from it, they just need to know the right person to call, discretely, when needed.
a Biofilico concept design for a nature inspired office recharge room for peace and quiet
recharge rooms in healthy buildings
The provision of restorative spaces in the built environment is extremely important to maintain appropriate mental health levels for building occupants. Especially in work and school environments when long hours of concentration are required, places of refuge are essential to allow students to recharge and reset throughout the day. These rooms can include spaces such as a nap pod, meditation room, or a restorative space for quiet time.
Many restorative spaces utilize biophilia in their design, due to the proven mental health benefits that come with nature connection. Recharge rooms have been proven to promote feelings of vitality and reduce stress and anxiety, promoting rejuvenation through respite.
WELL building standard on restorative spaces
According to the WELL Building Standard’s Mind concept, “restorative spaces should include natural elements and have thoughtful lighting, sound, thermal and material choices. In addition, an element of privacy and the inclusion of calming colors, textures and forms is beneficial for recharging and refocusing.” See our own example of this above.
In addition to designing these spaces in buildings, concern must be taken to facilitate their use, creating a company culture that is accepting of their benefits and therefore time spent in a recharge room by staff members - rather than it being stigmatized.
active design and fitness spaces in healthy buildings
Boosting healthy habits such as physical activity and nutrition can be encouraged through building design and have the potential to improve mental health and wellness. Workplaces and schools in particular can benefit from finding ways to promote healthy habits through interior design, active furniture choices more tactical, promotional strategies such as signage prompts.
physical activity for mental wellbeing in a healthy building plan
Physical activity provides not just physical health benefits but a mental boost of positive mood, enhanced energy and self-esteem, as well as camaraderie if performed in a group setting. Studies show that exercise helps maintain a healthy sleep cycle at night, ensuring deep rest and recovery.
Strategies such as incorporating fitness facilities or gym rooms in buildings, as well as places to change and shower on site (as part of an active design plan) can all encourage physical activity.
In addition, offering fitness classes, encouraging the formation of community running or biking groups, or employee fitness related challenges can boost activity levels of building occupants.
Finally, more indirect strategies such as promoting stair use through thoughtful design or smart signage can increase activity and physical and mental health.
nutrition for mental wellbeing in a healthy building plan
Nutrition is also a very important aspect of physical health that has been shown to be linked to mental health. Studies show that mindful eating is correlated to better wellbeing, which can be encouraged through designated eating areas.
Other strategies such as providing access to healthy snacks, providing cooking or nutrition classes, and encouraging communal eating through designated lunch times have all been shown to increase nutritional health (WELL), this in turn helps foster happy, healthy students or staff.
Sources
Bratman, Gregory, and Gretchen Daily. The Benefits of Nature Experience: Improved Affect and Cognition. Tech. Vol. 138. Stanford: n.p., 2015. Landscape and Urban Planning. Stanford University Libraries. Web. 24 Oct. 2016.
Determan, Jim, et al. “THE IMPACT OF BIOPHILIC LEARNING SPACES ON STUDENT SUCCESS.” Oct. 2019.
Jimenez, Marcia P. et al. “Associations Between Nature Exposure and Health: A Review of the Evidence.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18.9 (2021): 4790. Crossref. Web.
**Note**: this source was used for ART/SRT info (although original theory names given credit above)
Kaltenegger, Ingrid. "Integration of Mother Nature into Smart Buildings." Integration of Nature and Technology for Smart Cities. By Helen Santiago Fink. Switzerland: Springer International, 2016. ch. 13,18. Print.
Kellert, Stephen R., and Bill Finnegan. "Biophilic Design-The Architecture of Life Viewing Guide." (n.d.): n. pag. Biophilic Design. Tamarack Media and Stephen Kellert. Web. 7 Dec. 2016.