Architecture is an impressive form of art that has different facets and combines aesthetics, science, technology, and expressions, all in order to meet human needs. Valuable spaces are created through architecture as long as the job is done correctly. Cathedrals and mosques, for instance, are a great representation of architectural marvels due to their sense of serenity and magnificence. They consist of intriguing details that induce positive emotions, fascinating researchers and travellers even to this day.
When it comes to lifestyle, humans seek to achieve modernization as much as possible, interacting more with built environments and less with the natural wonders of the world. For instance, people visit shopping complexes more often than they spend time walking in a natural park. Because humans want to create a better future for themselves, they always develop something new; however, this urbanisation comes with a downside: there’s an increasing dependence on technology and a mechanised lifestyle that leads to increased toxicity levels and fewer green spaces.
Unfortunately, this leads to multiple health issues in the long term, thus an increasing need to rely on chemical drugs and health care centres. Doctors are reliable, but sometimes they can make costly errors, such as prescribing an incorrect dosage that causes harm to patients. Medical negligence has severe consequences and sometimes can even be fatal– to learn more on the subject, please visit https://www.medicalnegligenceclaimscare.org.uk. That said, natural means can also promote recovery from a bodily injury. For instance, architecture can be a catalyst for the healing process. Curious to learn more about this? Keep reading!
Exploring the psychology of healing
The brain is complex – it perceives the environment by relying on different physical senses, the subconscious and memory. Colour, sound, and light all matter when inhabiting an environment. But how do these elements contribute to the healing process of patients? If you look at things from a psychological perspective, it becomes clear that everything you see and hear impacts recovery. For instance, colours significantly influence patients’ psychological state of mind. Colours induce psychological reactions; while some shades encourage activities, others promote passiveness. As colour therapy suggests, colours can influence different aspects of your life, such as your energy level and emotions. Therefore, applying the right hues to a space is essential to promote healing.
Acoustics are just as crucial due to their impact on the psychosocial environment. For instance, noise increases stress, slowing the healing process of patients. While high noise raises patients’ adrenaline and heart rate, a soft sound has calming effects, thus uplifting one’s spirits.
While sunlight has been perceived as a threat because of its association with skin cancer, it can promote injury recovery because it increases blood flow when hitting the skin. This boosts the amount of oxygen circulating in the body, thus speeding up healing. Sunlight can also boost patients’ morale and simultaneously allow staff to enter a positive state of mind, making them more committed to the treatment procedure. Thus, light is a critical aspect to consider in architecture because the lighting levels affect patients’ moods just as natural light does. For instance, a bright room promotes feelings of happiness, but a dull one is depressing.
Materials used in the design of a space also influence the sense of the environment. They can either boost or decrease comfort, and that’s why it’s paramount to choose materials carefully. Natural materials are the best choice because they don’t only promote healing but also have ecological benefits. Creating a harmonious building also helps protect the environment. When spaces are self-sufficient, architecture works in harmony with nature. Handcrafted natural materials are authentic and appealing, and at the same time, they allow the community to participate in the construction process.
How architecture promotes healing
Art has therapeutic properties, which is why it is an effective complementary treatment for mental issues. Due to its subliminal effect on patients’ brains, architecture can result in a positive outcome in the healing process. But how is that possible? It isn’t the architecture alone that promotes a healing environment – rather, it all comes down to how the patient perceives the environment. This means that the immediate environment must have a positive impact on patients’ moods; it’s about creating a setting that makes them feel good. The mind and body are not separated; if one is affected, the other will suffer too. The opposite is also true – if your mind is healthy, the body can recover faster. Thus, quality architecture is imperative to create an environment that promotes recovery.
Hospitals should provide an inviting ambience where patients can feel cared for. For example, research has shown that a hospital view may have the potential to impact patients’ emotional states, thus affecting recovery. For instance, a grove of trees or a beautiful panorama can act like a natural painkiller, increasing the activity of the brain’s nerve cells and reducing stress. Exposure to the outdoors is paramount in the healing process because humans are inherently drawn to nature. They are a part of it, so they seek to feel close to it as much as possible. Nature makes you feel safe and calm – which are both crucial in promoting recovery. Aggressive behaviour that results from a stressful experience can be decreased through recorded nature sounds. Similarly, patients with dementia can also benefit from the healing power of nature. Hence, it is imperative to put time into the facility’s design so patients can positively respond to it.
Our takeaway
Recovery from bodily injury takes time, but there are ways to speed up the process. As mentioned previously in the article, designing healing environments is a major contributor to patients’ improved mental and physical health. Spaces have been proven to impact people’s psyches; however, this becomes more relevant in the context of patients. It’s about time that architects and interior designers recognized the importance of design components in boosting patients’ health and well-being. However, it’s worth noting that it takes great expertise to balance texture, materials, light, and colour, and comprehensive knowledge is the only way to create a suitable design conducive to healing.