Wood is good for our health and wellbeing. Its calming qualities make people feel better in the built environment as much as in the outdoors.
15 facts about health and wellbeing in buildings
Each year we spend 90% of our time in buildings or cars.
Yet buildings still being designed today can create issues like Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), depression and lung disease
90% of respondents to a recent survey said they wanted a home that doesn’t compromise their health and wellbeing and a third would pay more for a healthy home
67% of social renters want a home that doesn’t compromise their health and wellbeing
85% of respondents who are willing to pay more for an environmentally-friendly home would also be willing to pay more for a healthy home
In contrast, 47% of those willing to pay more for a healthy home would pay more for an environmentally-friendly home
Cognitive abilities increase by 61% when in a green building. This increases to 101% when additional ventilation rates are introduced
A study conducted in 2010 in an Austrian school compared two ‘timber’ classrooms versus two ‘standard’ classrooms. The benefits for children studying in the timber classrooms were impressive, especially their heart rates, which were lowered by up to 8600 heartbeats
The children were noticeably more relaxed and it had a positive effect on their performance too
There was also a decreased perception of stress
A Japanese study found exposure to wooden panels significantly decreases blood pressure, while exposure to steel panels makes it rise
Another Japanese study carried out in a care home found by providing wooden tables, chairs and tableware, the interaction between residents increased
Workers in offices with wooden interiors conveyed feelings of innovation, energy and comfort. Workers in offices without wood conveyed feelings of their environment being impersonal and uncomfortable
Wood products in a room have also been shown to improve indoor air quality by moderating humidity
The reason wood has such a good effect on human health is because of how it lowers the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activation. SNS is what causes stress responses, increases blood pressure, heart rate and inhibits functions like digesting, recovery and repair. When surrounded by nature and wood, these symptoms lower