Biophilia: does visual contact with nature impact on health and well-being?
It is concluded that an environment devoid of Nature may act as a "discord", i.e., have a negative effect. While the term mismatch is used for any difference between present living conditions and the environment of evolutionary adaptation, discords are mismatches with a potentially undesirable impact on health or quality of life. The problem is partly due to the visual absence of plants, and may be ameliorated by adding elements of Nature, e.g., by creating parks, by offering a view through windows, and by potted plants. The conclusion is based on an evaluation of some fifty relevant empirical studies.
Grinde
Bjørn
B
Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 4404 Nydalen, 0403 Oslo, Norway. bjgr@fhi.no
Patil
Grete Grindal
GG
D006801:Humans; D019368:Nature; D010944:Plants; D011788:Quality of Life; D014785:Vision, Ocular