While the study of the connection between nature exposure and its effect on human well-being has significantly grown in recent years, there still exist numerous unexplored connections and mechanisms. As we continue to navigate a rapidly changing world, preserving our connection to the natural environment remains essential for maintaining our physical and mental well-being. Current research indicates that individuals living in urban areas with more green space have significantly lower mental distress and higher well-being scores (Antonelli et al. 2019). In addition, previous studies have stated that wood as natural interior material has a restorative effect on people. Research on the psychophysiological impacts of wood as an interior material is still relatively new, yet there is an increasing number of studies related to the subject (Ikei et al. 2016; Dematte et al. 2018). However, most of the research settings have been short-term and more research is needed to create better understanding on how building materials and interiors can affect human’s perceived and measurable well-being. The aim of the research was to study participator’s well-being in different housings located in forest area. The pilot study seeks to find connections between participant’s psychophysiological well-being and what people appreciate in built and surrounding environment. The study was conducted with multiple wearable health-technologies in addition with self-assessments.
Keywords: nature, well-being, interior materials, health-technology, self-assessments
Authors
Emilia Rosenborg
Department of Forest Sciences, University of Helsinki, Finland
Jaakko Jussila
Department of Forest Sciences, University of Helsinki, Finland
Tuula Jyske
Department of Forest Sciences, University of Helsinki, Finland
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