Over the next weeks we will look at the book “The Urban Homestead” by Kelly Coyne and Erik Knutzen. Many people have been spending and more time at home over the last year or so. For many this has been extremely difficult and isolating, for some it has led for a shift of focus to our homes and gardens for others it has been both.

We have reached the end of the book Biophilia by Sally Coulthard so let’s recap. Biophilia, or more specifically Biophilic Design, looks to incorporate the benefits of being in nature into our homes and workplaces to help. Here are some 9-steps Coulthard suggests to do this.

Living in the city can have us surround by constant noise which can affect our health. By creating quiet spaces, introducing natural sounds and turning off our tech, we can help to reduce these adverse affects and feel less stressed.

Water is thought to help to reduced stress, improved concentration, reduced heart rate, and improved memory. But how do we include water into our homes and workplaces?

We all know we need water to live but how does it affect our emotions? It is thought that since water is essential for our survival, we are drawn to it. We needed fresh water to live and so were attracted to lakes, rivers, streams, and pools. Water has been found to be associated with reduced stress, improved concentration, reduced heart rate, and improved memory