Keeping an eye on health
Nature in focus
The so-called "Sick Building Syndrome (SBS)" has shown that health is increasingly being affected by the use of artificial materials and their emissions, such as the widespread use of computers. In addition, workplace design is often too monotonous and artificial air conditioning is disproportionate. In the worst case, this results in work absences and subsequent psychological disorders such as depression and burnout syndrome. A well-designed workplace and a suitable working environment can therefore actively contribute to promoting health [1] .
M. Sc. Psychologist Martin Schinköth
"As a trained psychologist, I pursue a holistic approach with the aim of promoting the quality of life through an optimized work and room climate, as well as offering clinical-therapeutic support through my natural works of art ."
Mental health and exposure to nature
According to the definition of the World Health Organization (WHO), the term "health" includes not only physical but also mental and psychological well-being within the framework of a holistic approach. Increasing urbanization leads to a distancing of one's own body and mind from its environment, as well as an awareness of a natural human-environment relationship (Polz-Watzenig, 2020). Sufficient recovery phases serve as a preventive factor against physical and mental illnesses (Ensinger et al., 2017).
"The aim of nature recreation research is to find out to what extent basic psychological needs can be restored through a healthy human-environment relationship" (Gebhard, 2020).
( In the picture you can see a nature exposure in combination with a mindfulness training, in front of an artificially imitated natural area - vivarium ) .
Health-promoting indoor greening
Scientific findings have shown that biophilic and salutogenic design structures, e.g. plants and images of nature, can improve the aesthetics of rooms and reduce stress [2]. Virtual and artificial environments that represent nature can also promote the experience of experiencing nature and thus contribute to general well-being [3].
( In the picture you can see a relaxation room concept with biophilic and salutogenic design structures, for the application of nature- and mindfulness-based intervention methods ).
M. Sc. Psychologist Martin Schinköth
Strengthen mental health through exposure to nature and mindfulness
Current scientific findings show that artificially created natural environments —so-called nature exposures —combined with mindfulness-based methods can demonstrably promote mental health . In one study, I was able to investigate the stress-reducing effect of such an intervention: Perceived stress levels decreased significantly (effect size f = 0.96) , as did participants' heart rates (p = .015) —providing possible evidence for the effectiveness of natural stimuli in spatial design and its potential for combination with relaxation training.
In my work as a psychological counselor, I combine relaxation techniques such as:
- Mindfulness training
- Autogenic training
- Progressive muscle relaxation
- meditation
with targeted natural stimuli such as moss pictures , vivarium areas or biophilic room concepts to facilitate access to sensitive topics and to regulate emotions and stress holistically .
In the future, I would like to work with interested companies to integrate the positive effects of nature interventions in spatial design more strongly into corporate health promotion – as a valuable contribution to healthy, stress-free working environments .